Abstract:
Multi-micronutrient supplementation has beneficial effects on the improvement o f
nutritional status, work productivity, health and diseases. A long term supplementation is
needed to better understand the biological basis for potential interactions observed in
functional outcomes such as growth and development. A stratified sample o f adolescent
school children (n=82J; M= 327, F= 494) o f 12-18 years o f age were randomized into
one o f four groups on a double blind approach at class room level. Children in each group
received two capsules daily containing either iron (50 mg/d) or zinc (14 mg/d) or iron and
zinc combined or placebo capsule for a period o f 36 weeks. Their anthropometric
measurements were made and a medical examination carried out prior to study and after
the intervention. Mean change o f weight and height in the placebo group was 0.53 kg and
0.73 cm. Iron alone group had 0.89 kg gain in weight and 1.0 cm in height. Zinc
alonegroup had higher gain in weight (2.27 kg) and height (2.37 cm) whereas 1.52 kg and
1.63 cm gains were observed with the combined supplement group. The body mass index
(BMI) o f all the supplemented groups significantly increased from their respective
baseline status (0.32 in supplemented, 0.04 in placebo; p < 0.001). The increase in z
scores in zinc supplemented groups was marginally significant when compared with the
placebo group (p < 0.05). After correcting for confounding effects o f age and the
respective baseline values o f weight, height and BMI, the zinc alone supplemented group
had the best anthropometric improvement. It appears therefore, that long term zinc
supplementation had positive impact on the growth o f children.
