Zinc supplementation improves the growth of stunted rural Guatemalan infants.

What Was Tested

This randomized controlled trial looks at Vitamin D, K2, Magnesium and Zinc.

Midarm muscle area (MMA) was derived from the mid-upper arm circumference and triceps skinfolds measurements.

Maternal anthropometry and family socioeconomic and demographic characteristics also were obtained.

Who Took Part

The age groups tagged for this paper are infants.

The impact of zinc supplementation on the growth and body composition of Guatemalan infants was assessed in a community-based, double-blind intervention trial.

The children's weight, length, mid-upper arm and head circumferences, and triceps skinfolds were measured at baseline and at 1-2 mo intervals until the end of supplementation.

How the Study Was Run

In design terms this was a randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled study.

Because people in this Vitamin D, K2, Magnesium and Zinc study were split into groups at random, differences between the groups are less likely to reflect who happened to join each one.

Neither the participants nor the staff measuring them knew who was on Vitamin D, K2, Magnesium and Zinc, so expectations could not easily colour the readings.

Some participants received a placebo instead of Vitamin D, K2, Magnesium and Zinc, giving a reference point.

What Was Measured

Midarm muscle area (MMA) was derived from the mid-upper arm circumference and triceps skinfolds measurements.

PubMed files the paper under topics including Body Composition, Child Development, Dietary Supplements, Growth Disorders, Guatemala, Regression Analysis and Rural Population.

What This Means in Plain Language

The paper is a randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled study of Vitamin D, K2, Magnesium and Zinc.

The publication is from 1998 (The Journal of nutrition), a journal based in United States.

More context: the Vitamin D, K2, Magnesium and Zinc compound page, all human trials.