Effect of oral supplementation on catch-up growth in picky eaters.
Ninety-two subjects ages 36 to 60 months who had picky-eater behavior and evidence of growth faltering were randomized to receive either nutrition counseling alone, or nutrition counseling plus a nutritional supplement (Study) for 90 days. The Study group had significantly greater increases in weight and height. There were no significant differences between groups in changes in appetite or activity levels, or in gastrointestinal symptom scores. The percent of subjects who developed upper respiratory tract infections was significantly lower in the Study group. These data suggest that a nutritional supplement in addition to nutrition counseling promote catch-up growth and may contribute to lower rates of infectious disease in children with picky eater behavior.
Alarcon
Pedro A
PA
Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, Illinois 60064-6149, USA.
Lin
Lung-Huang
LH
Noche
Miguel
M
Hernandez
Virginia C
VC
Cimafranca
Leonard
L
Lam
Wayne
W
Comer
Gail M
GM
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001827:Body Height; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003376:Counseling; D015930:Diet Records; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005518:Food Preferences; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009752:Nutritional Status; D015430:Weight Gain