Children have become overly concerned about their body weight, according to a 2011 report in "Psychiatria Danubina." They usually express concerns about being overweight, but many children remain undernourished. Dietary supplements, available over the counter, may help at-risk children gain weight. These dietary aids can also help healthy kids gain muscle mass. Consuming microorganisms, minerals and fats might cause side effects, so speak with a doctor before giving your child supplements.
Lipid-Based Nutrients
Lipids are waxes and fats that play an important role in energy production. Emergency workers use lipid-based nutrient supplements to quickly restore energy balance in trauma patients, according to a 2010 review in "Maternal and Child Nutrition." Manufacturers add these nutrients, known as LNS, to spreads that malnourished children can apply to crackers and bread. Kids can also take lipid-based nutrients as dietary aids. An investigation published in the 2010 volume of the "Journal of Nutrition" looked at the effect of LNS on body weight. Underweight infants received lipid nutrients for three months. This treatment increased the body weight of treated infants relative to control subjects who received no supplements. The most underweight children showed the largest gains.
Prebiotics and Probiotics
Probiotics are microorganisms thought to benefit their host, and prebiotics are nondigestible ingredients that facilitate the success of such organisms. These substances have a broad range of medical applications, including a beneficial role in treating inflammatory bowel disease. According to a 2010 report in "Nutrition," prebiotics increase the absorption of essential minerals. That beneficial effect could lead to anabolic processes such as weight gain. An experiment described in the 2010 edition of the "Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition" evaluated the impact of prebiotics and probiotics on healthy children. Kids from age 1 to 4 years received milk fortified with the active substances for a year. Participants given this treatment has greater body weight than those given unfortified milk.
Iron and Zinc
Iron and zinc are essential trace element obtained from the diet. Ingesting these micronutrients provides benefits and prevents deficiencies. Zinc co-varies with testosterone, according to a 1996 article in "Nutrition." And iron plays an important role in transporting minerals throughout the body. Such findings suggest that increasing these elements could trigger anabolic growth. A study reviewed in the 2011 edition of the "Journal of Nutrition" assessed the impact of essential element use in school children. Kids with iron deficiency received an iron-zinc powder, added to porridge, five days a week for six months. The fortified porridge increased body weight relative to unfortified porridge. It also corrected some cases of iron and zinc deficiency.
Calcium
Calcium intake remains essential for bone regeneration across the entire lifespan. According to a 1997 report in the "Journal of Hygiene Research," young calcium-deficient animals given calcium supplements had greater body weight and obtained a greater size than those given no treatment. These data indicate that calcium may play an important role in development and growth. An experiment presented in the 2010 volume of the "Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition" tested this hypothesis in healthy adolescent boys. The boys were given calcium or placebo throughout a two-year testing period. Very high doses of calcium enhanced muscle mass more than very low doses, which were assumed to have no effect. Supplementation also had positive effects on bone health.
References
- "Psychiatria Danubina"; Eating Attitudes in Adolescent Girls; M. Radmanovic-Burgic, et al.; March 2011
- "Maternal and Child Nutrition"; Use of Lipid-Based Nutrient Supplements (LNS) to Improve the Nutrient Adequacy of General Food Distribution Rations for Vulnerable Sub-groups in Emergency Settings; Camila M. Chaparro and Kathryn G. Dewey; January 2010
- "Journal of Nutrition"; Lipid-Based Nutrient Supplement But Not Corn-Soy Blend Modestly Increases Weight Gain Among 6- to 18-Month-Old Moderately Underweight Children in Rural Malawi; Chrissie Thakwalakwa, et al.; November 2010
- "Nutrition"; Fructo-oligosaccharides Enhance the Mineral Absorption and Counteract the Adverse Effects of Phytic Acid in Mice; Yu Wang, et al.; March 2010
- "Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition"; Effects of Bifidobacterium Lactis HN019 and Prebiotic Oligosaccharide Added to Milk on Iron Status, Anemia, and Growth Among Children 1 to 4 Years Old; Sunil Sazawal, et al.; September 2010
- "Nutrition"; Zinc Status and Serum Testosterone Levels of Healthy Adults; Ananda S. Prasad, et al.; May 1996
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