[Effect of a supplementary feeding program on height growth in children].
The general objective of this study was to compare the variation exhibited in height/age by a group of low income children (when they were under 2 years) who had a mild deficit in this parameter and who received an important supplement, with another group with the same deficit who did not receive it. To achieve this objective we obtained a sample of children who were beneficiaries of Chile's National Complementary Feeding Program. The experimental group included children from the so called reinforced component of that program and the control group from the basic one. The results showed that after 12 months of observation, both groups gained in height, being those increments statistically significantly. Interestingly, the improvement was greater in the control group. The authors argue that with the nutritional situation that our country exhibits presently, that is, a very small percentage of low wt/age and around 18% to 24% of low income children with a mild deficit in height, a general improvement of the family's economic status probably produces a larger effect on this indicator than a high calorie/protein supplement.
Kain
J
J
Unidad de Epidemiología Nutricional, Instituto de Nutrición y Tecnología de los Alimentos, Universidad de Chile, Santiago de Chile.
Pizarro
F
F
D001827:Body Height / Q000502:physiology*; D002677:Chile; D006130:Growth Disorders; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D009747:Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D009752:Nutritional Status; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
Efecto de un programa de refuerzo alimentario sobre el crecimiento en talla de una población infantil.