A recent study challenges the conventional belief that nutrient supplements can’t stimulate growth after age two, demonstrating that even older stunted children can benefit from such supplements, and plant-based proteins are as effective as dairy for this purpose. The picture depicts a child’s growth being measured. Credit: Jack I Lewis, Copenhagen University.
“The body is already deficient, meaning that their bones and muscles are not getting the nutrients, especially minerals and proteins, required for optimal growth. It affects the health and physical abilities of these children throughout their lives,” explains Benedikte Grenov of theGrenov is one of the lead authors of a new UCPH study conducted in collaboration with researchers at Makerere University in Uganda.
“Therefore, we hope that these results can help shift the thinking with regards to the treatment of stunting, and in doing so, change the recommendations.”One aspect of the study was to investigate whether milk-based supplements are particularly well-suited to help improve the lives of the many stunted children around the world.
Benedikte Grenov acknowledges that because the problem is so widespread, treating all children is practically impossible. But you could, for example, begin by offering treatment to those with severe stunting.