Effect of supplementary feeding on recovery from mild to moderate wasting in preschool children

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Abstract
Three-month recovery rates from moderate wasting (< 90% weight-for-length) were compared in 6-24-mo-old children in four Guatemalan villages that had been randomly assigned to receive a moderate (Atole) or low (Fresco) energy supplement. The recovery rate (Rr) in the Atole villages was 12% higher than in the Fresco villages (P < 0.05). This effect was above all due to the children in the Atole villages who consumed ≥ 10% of the daily recommended dietary intake of energy (RDI) from the supplement (high-Atole group) and whose total energy intake (including home diet) was 10.5% of the RDI higher than a comparable high-Fresco group with low supplemental energy intake. All those in the high-Atole group whose wasting was due to malnutrition recovered. Much of this recovery (range 29–52%) was due to the increased supplementation. This proportion rose after potential confounding variables were controlled for.