Indian children at risk of undernutrition showed significantly better growth and body composition outcomes when an oral nutritional supplement was provided alongside dietary counselling, according to findings from a randomized controlled trial announced by Abbott.
The six-month study involved 223 children aged about 3 to 7 years with picky eating habits who were undernourished or at risk of undernutrition. While all participants received dietary counselling, around half were also given two daily servings of PediaSure, an Abbott pediatric oral nutritional supplement.
Children receiving the supplement recorded approximately 2.4 times greater height gain and nearly 15% higher lean mass gain than those receiving dietary counselling alone. They also showed up to four times greater gains in weight-for-age and height-for-age percentiles, indicating stronger catch-up growth.
The study further found improvements in bone health, with DXA assessments showing a 35% increase in bone mineral density, without excess fat accumulation. Supplemented children also recorded higher energy, carbohydrate and protein intake, along with improved mid-upper arm circumference percentiles.
The findings were reported in the peer-reviewed journals Children and Journal of Clinical Medicine. Researchers said the results underline the importance of addressing undernutrition early and assessing growth beyond height and weight to include muscle and bone health.