Effect of a nutritional supplementation on growth and body composition in short and lean preadolescent boys: A randomised, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study

Abstract

To evaluate the effect of nutritional supplementation on height, weight and body composition in short and lean male preadolescents. A randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial of nutritional supplementation of short and lean prepubertal 10-14.5-year-old boys. Primary outcomes included Δheight-SDS and Δweight-SDS. Secondary outcomes included changes in body composition and BMI-SDS. Of 160 boys enrolled, 126 (80%) completed 6months' intervention. Baseline age, height-SDS, weight-SDS, BMI-SDS, body composition and dietary intake were similar in the formula and placebo groups. 'Good' formula consumers (intake of ≥50% of the recommended dose, n=30) gained significantly more in weight-SDS, BMI-SDS, fat-free-mass and muscle mass (p<0.05) than did 'poor' consumers (n=35) and the placebo group (n=61). Only in the formula group, positive dose-response correlations were found between consumption of the formula and changes in the outcome parameters examined, including Δheight-SDS (r=0.301, p=0.015). Boys aged >11.4years who were 'good' formula consumers maintained their Δheight-SDS, while Δheight-SDS declined in 'poor' consumers and the placebo group of the same age (p=0.033). Intervention with a multi-nutrient, protein-rich formula was effective in increasing weight-SDS, fat-free-mass, muscle mass and BMI-SDS in short and lean prepubertal male adolescents. Good consumption of the formula prevented Δheight-SDS decline in the older participants.