Micronutrient Supplementation Improves Physical Performance Measures in Asian Indian School-Age Children1-4

Micronutrients are important in physical work capacity and therefore performance. The impact of a multi-micronutrient-fortified nutritional beverage on physical performance measures among clinically healthy school-age children was assessed in a double-blind (for test and placebo groups), placebo-con...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Journal of nutrition 2011-11, Vol.141 (11), p.2017
Main Authors: Vaz, Mario, Pauline, Maria, Unni, Uma S, Parikh, Panam, Thomas, Tinku, Bharathi, A V, Avadhany, Sandhya, Muthayya, Sumithra, Mehra, Ruchika, Kurpad, Anura V
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Children & youth
Clinical trials
Heart attacks
Nutrition
Nutrition research
Physical fitness
Respiratory diseases
Rural schools
Studies
Vitamin deficiency
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Summary:Micronutrients are important in physical work capacity and therefore performance. The impact of a multi-micronutrient-fortified nutritional beverage on physical performance measures among clinically healthy school-age children was assessed in a double-blind (for test and placebo groups), placebo-controlled, randomized trial in children aged between 7 and 10.5 y (n = 300). The participants with height-and weight-for-age Z-scores between 0 and ≥ -3 were randomized to 1 of 3 study arms: fortified choco-malt beverage powder (F), matched energy equivalent unfortified placebo (U), and untreated control (C). Participants in the F and C groups were given 40 g fortified (19 key vitamins and minerals) and unfortified choco-malt beverage, respectively, daily for 120 d. Primary efficacy outcomes included endurance and aerobic capacity using a 20-m shuttle test and step test. Other physical performance measures included speed (40-m sprint), visual reaction time, maximal hand grip, and forearm static endurance. Micronutrient status included thiamin, riboflavin, folate, niacin, iron, pyridoxal phosphate, and vitamins B-12 and C. All measurements were made at baseline and the end of the intervention. There was a within-subject increase in aerobic capacity and whole body endurance (P < 0.05) accompanied by a significant improvement in the status of iron thiamin, riboflavin, pyridoxal phosphate, folate, and vitamins C and B-12 in the F group compared to the within-subject changes in the other 2 groups (P < 0.05). The study suggests that multiple micronutrient supplementation in similar populations may be beneficial in improving micronutrient status and enhancing aerobic capacity and endurance in children. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]
ISSN:0022-3166
1541-6100