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

Abstract

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.

Will reducing sugar‐sweetened beverage consumption reduce obesity? Evidence supporting conjecture is strong, but evidence when testing effect is weak

“…Table contains a brief listing and description of the six new studies added for meta‐analysis. We provide more details of each study in the supporting information online.…”

Sugar-Sweetened Beverages and Obesity among Children and Adolescents: A Review of Systematic Literature Reviews

“…In addition, one of the three included randomized, controlled trials (RCTs) was not designed to assess the association between SSB intake and weight outcome. 38 In comparison, all five RCTs included in the review by Malik and colleagues were testing the effect of reducing SSB intake on weight among children and adolescents. Reviews and meta-analyses based on RCTs that assess short-term weight loss might not be appropriate to identify dietary determinants of long-term weight change and prevention of weight gain.…”

Results From India’s 2016 Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth

“…One national survey, 4 several state (ie, province) and city-level surveys, [11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18] as well as baseline data from an ongoing longitudinal state-level survey 19 were used as data sources for the 2016 Indian Report Card. In addition, we also reviewed appropriate gray literature to complete the grading process.…”

“…11 Similarly, Vaz et al found that 7-to 11-year-olds (n = 300) in the city of Bangaluru accumulated 61.5 minutes of MVPA/day on average. 12 Several accelerometry studies have also been conducted including the International Study of Childhood Obesity, Lifestyle and the Environment (ISCOLE). [13][14][15] All ISCOLE studies in India were conducted in Bangaluru with the same cohort of 9 to 11 year old children with varying sample sizes (ie, Denstal et al [n = 546]; Sarmiento et al [n = 599]; Chaput et al [n = 433]).…”