Summary
This multisite randomised controlled trial of 330 children aged 24–60 months with undernutrition evaluated long-term oral nutritional supplementation combined with dietary counselling versus dietary counselling alone over 240 days. Supplementation significantly enhanced growth trajectory, lean mass accretion, and bone mineralisation, whilst also improving micronutrient status and parent-reported health markers including illness frequency and physical activity. The findings suggest that complete and balanced nutritional supplements, when paired with dietary counselling, offer measurable benefits for growth, body composition, and bone health in undernourished young children.
Regional applicability
The study does not specify the geographic location; the authors' names and institutional affiliations suggest a setting in Southeast Asia, possibly Vietnam. Applicability to United Kingdom practice would depend on whether the trial population and intervention design (supplementation formulation, duration, and counselling approach) reflect UK clinical contexts; direct extrapolation to UK paediatric populations and healthcare systems may require local validation.
Key measures
Height, weight, height-for-age z-score, weight-for-age z-score, lean mass index, fat mass index, total body less head bone mineral density, energy intake, protein intake, serum vitamin D, serum vitamin K, sick days, school absence days, sleep quality, appetite, energy levels, physical activity
Outcomes reported
The study measured growth (height and weight z-scores), body composition (lean mass and fat mass indices), bone mineralization (dual X-ray absorptiometry), dietary intake, nutritional biomarkers, and parent-reported health outcomes including illness frequency, school attendance, sleep, appetite, and physical activity over 240 days.
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