Effects of nutritional interventions on the physical development of preschool children: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Background There is a significant correlation between diet and delayed growth and development in children. However, the evidence for the crucial role of dietary interventions in children’s growth and development health remains inconclusive. This meta-analysis sought to comprehensively evaluate the effects of nutritional interventions on children’s physical development. Methods Articles published from January 2007 to December 2022 were retrieved from the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Wanfang, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) databases. Statistical analysis was conducted using Stata/SE 16.0 software, as well as Review Manager 5.4 software. Results The meta-analysis included a total of 8 original studies. The total sample comprised 6,645 children aged <8 years. The results of meta-analysis were as follows: (I) there was no significant difference in the body mass index (BMI)-for-age z scores between the nutritional intervention group and the control group [mean difference (MD) =0.12, 95% confidence interval (CI): –0.07, 0.30]. Thus, the nutritional interventions did not significantly improve the BMI-for-age z scores; (II) when the nutritional intervention period was <6 months, there was no significant difference in the weight-for-height z scores between the nutritional intervention group and the control group (MD =0.47, 95% CI: –0.07, 1.00), but when the nutritional intervention period was ≥6 months, the nutritional interventions significantly improved the weight-for-height z scores (MD =0.36, 95% CI: 0.00, 0.72); (III) a nutritional intervention period ≥6 months cannot significantly improved children’s height-for-age z scores; (4) When the nutritional intervention period was <6 months, there was no statistically significant difference in the weight-for-age z scores between the nutritional intervention group and the control group (MD =–0.20, 95% CI: –0.60, 0.20), but when the nutritional intervention period was ≥6 months, the nutritional interventions significantly increased children’s weight-for-age (mean difference =2.23, 95% CI: 0.01, 4.44). Conclusions Different nutritional interventions had a slight improvement effect on children’s physical growth and development. However, the effect of the short-term nutritional interventions (<6 months) was not obvious. In clinical practice, it is recommended that nutritional intervention programs be formulated that can be implemented for longer periods. However, due to the limited literature included, further research is needed.

Early Detection and Stimulation Interventions of Growth and Development in Children Character Forming: Systematic Review

“…While earlier literature primarily emphasized the significance of early cognitive development for later outcomes, there is growing recognition of the importance of non-cognitive domains in forecasting children's academic achievements, productivity, and social functioning in adulthood. 1,2 Child development is also influenced by multiple factors, involving the interplay of genetic inheritance, biological wellbeing (such as health and nutritional status), and the immediate (like the quality of maternal-child interactions) and more distant (e.g., neighbourhood features) environment. During the initial years of life, there is rapid growth and development in all domains, forming a sturdy foundation for acquiring more advanced skills later on.…”

“…However, early exposure to nurturing care, encompassing optimal nutrition and adequate stimulation, significantly impacts children's development, mitigates the negative effects of adversities, and enhances their potential for success. 2 In recent times, there has been a growing emphasis on implementing early detection and stimulation interventions as a more comprehensive approach to enhance child growth and development while optimizing available resources. These integrated interventions have shown significant potential to produce greater effects on developmental outcomes than nutrition interventions alone.…”