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

Aim To evaluate the effect of nutritional supplementation on height, weight and body composition in short and lean male preadolescents. Methods A randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial of nutritional supplementation of short and lean prepubertal 10-14.5-year-old boys. Primary outcomes included Delta height-SDS and Delta weight-SDS. Secondary outcomes included changes in body composition and BMI-SDS. Results Of 160 boys enrolled, 126 (80%) completed 6 months' 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 Delta height-SDS (r = 0.301, p = 0.015). Boys aged >11.4 years who were 'good' formula consumers maintained their Delta height-SDS, while Delta height-SDS declined in 'poor' consumers and the placebo group of the same age (p = 0.033). Conclusion 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 Delta height-SDS decline in the older participants.

Automated summary

This study evaluated the effect of nutritional supplementation on height, weight and body composition in short and lean male preadolescents. The results showed that good compliance with the formula led to significant improvements in weight-SDS, fat-free-mass, muscle mass, and BMI-SDS. Additionally, older boys who were good formula consumers maintained their Delta height-SDS, while those who consumed less formula or were in the placebo group experienced a decline.