Effects of an energy and micronutrient supplement on growth and activity, correcting for non-supplemental sources of energy input in undernourished children in Indonesia.
OBJECTIVE
This paper investigates simultaneously the growth and activity of children that received an early energy and micronutrient supplement, adjusting for all non-supplemental energy intakes. Any additional change in growth and activity after this adjustment was then compared across supplements at three points felt to be representative of the study.


METHODS
Two cohorts of children were randomly assigned to three treatments: E = 1171 kJ + 12 mg iron; M = 209 kJ + 12 mg iron; S = 104 kJ. Supplementation was given for 12 months.


METHODS
The sites were six tea plantations in Pangalengan, West Java.


METHODS
A 12-month-old (n = 53) and an 18-month-old (n = 83) cohort were recruited from day-care-centers. Twenty children that received S belonged to the 12- and 18-month-old cohorts. Inclusion criteria were: no chronic disease; length-for-age < or = -1 standard deviation (s.d.) and weight-for-length between -1 and -2 s.d. of the median of the reference of the World Health Organization.


METHODS
Length was measured with a portable measuring board; a Detecto scale with an accuracy of 0.1 kg was used for the measurement of body weight. Arm and head circumferences were measured using similar fiberglass tapes. Motor activity was assessed through continuous 4 h observations at home and at day care centers. Anthropometry and activity were measured every two months over 12 months.


RESULTS
After correcting for non-supplemental sources of energy intake, the effects of the supplement on weight and activity were observed at 2 months; effects on length and activity were observed at 6 months; and effects on weight alone were observed at 12 months.
Aitchison
T C
TC
Glasgow University, UK.
Durnin
J V
JV
Beckett
C
C
Pollitt
E
E
D000886:Anthropometry; D001942:Breast Feeding; D002657:Child Development; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004435:Eating; D002149:Energy Intake / Q000502:physiology*; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007214:Indonesia; D007223:Infant; D007227:Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D008297:Male; D018977:Micronutrients / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D009748:Nutrition Disorders / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology
D018977:Micronutrients