Randomized controlled trial of meat compared with multimicronutrient-fortified cereal in infants and toddlers with high stunting rates in diverse settings123

• Published in: The American journal of clinical nutrition 2012-10, Vol.96 (4), p.840-847
• Main Authors: Krebs, Nancy F, Mazariegos, Manolo, Chomba, Elwyn, Sami, Neelofar, Pasha, Omrana, Tshefu, Antoinette, Carlo, Waldemar A, Goldenberg, Robert L, Bose, Carl L, Wright, Linda L, Koso-Thomas, Marion, Goco, Norman, Kindem, Mark, McClure, Elizabeth M, Westcott, Jamie, Garces, Ana, Lokangaka, Adrien, Manasyan, Albert, Imenda, Edna, Hartwell, Tyler D, Hambidge, K Michael
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0002-9165
• DOI: 10.3945/ajcn.112.041962

Background: Improved complementary feeding is cited as a critical factor for reducing stunting. Consumption of meats has been advocated, but its efficacy in low-resource settings has not been tested. Objective: The objective was to test the hypothesis that daily intake of 30 to 45 g meat from 6 to 18 mo of age would result in greater linear growth velocity and improved micronutrient status in comparison with an equicaloric multimicronutrient-fortified cereal. Design: This was a cluster randomized efficacy trial conducted in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, Guatemala, and Pakistan. Individual daily portions of study foods and education messages to enhance complementary feeding were delivered to participants. Blood tests were obtained at trial completion. Results: A total of 532 (86.1%) and 530 (85.8%) participants from the meat and cereal arms, respectively, completed the study. Linear growth velocity did not differ between treatment groups: 1.00 (95% CI: 0.99, 1.02) and 1.02 (95% CI: 1.00, 1.04) cm/mo for the meat and cereal groups, respectively (P = 0.39). From baseline to 18 mo, stunting [length-for-age z score (LAZ)