title: Effects of multivitamin-multimineral supplementation on appetite of stunted young Beninese children.
abstract: In the developing world, food intake of young children is often insufficient for growth. Reduced appetite due to several factors including micronutrient deficiencies might be an explanation. We hypothesized that a multivitamin-multimineral supplementation will improve appetite of stunted children in south of Benin. Multivitamin-multimineral supplements (VITALIA-tablets) contain 11 vitamins and 8 minerals. Stunted children (Ht/Age Z score < -2) of 17-32 months old were randomly assigned to multivitamin-multimineral (n = 48) or placebo (n = 53) group. Supplementation was daily and supervised throughout 6 weeks. Knee-heel length, length, weight, arm circumference and appetite were assessed once a week for the three weeks preceding and the three weeks following the six-week intervention period. Growth was additionally assessed 4 months after intervention. Each appetite test day, morbidity data and mother's report on child's appetite throughout the preceding day were recorded. Reported appetite, intake of test food and knee-heel length increased after supplementation in both groups (p < 0.05), but were not different between groups. Growth was similar 4 months after the intervention. Morbidity was comparable in both groups before as well as after supplementation. We conclude that 6-week multivitamin-multimineral supplementation alone failed to improve appetite and growth of stunted young children.
mesh_terms: D000886:Anthropometry; D001066:Appetite / Q000187:drug effects*; D001541:Benin; D001827:Body Height / Q000187:drug effects; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D006130:Growth Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008903:Minerals / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012424:Rural Population; D017211:Treatment Failure; D014815:Vitamins / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D008903:Minerals; D014815:Vitamins