The Open Nutrition Journal




(Discontinued)

ISSN: 1874-2882 ― Volume 15, 2021

Micronutrients and Bone Growth in Preadolescent Children from Developing Countries



Marlena Kruger1, 2, 3, *, Gerda Gericke2, 3, Zelda White2, 3
1 School of Food and Nutrition, Massey Institute for Food Science and Technology, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
2 Department of Human Nutrition, School of Health Care Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
3 Associate of the Institute for Food, Nutrition and Well-being, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa

Abstract

Objective:

Childhood undernutrition may result in poor physical development, and negatively impact on the workforce and society. We examined from the literature how micronutrient deficiencies may affect bone growth in preadolescent children in developing countries.

Results:

Overall data from many studies carried out during the past 30 years show that dietary supplementation of children in developing countries may improve growth and development. Although the first few months and years of life have been considered key to these improvements, supplementation at any age may be able to influence bone health and physical development. There is considerable data in support of calcium supplementation, either in tablet form or from increased intake of dairy products, but it now seems likely that calcium alone may not be sufficient to enhance growth, unless other vital micronutrients are also provided. The recent societal changes in South Africa have resulted in an influx of cheap, nutrient-poor foods, leading to widespread childhood undernourishment in mainly black children in resource-constrained communities. Data on dietary supplementation and long-term outcomes in these children are still lacking.

Conclusion:

An understanding of the complex interactions between macro- and micronutrients in enhancing physical growth and development, and a consensus on the optimal timing and delivery system of supplementation is required to improve child health in developing countries, including Africa. The efficacy and efficiency of food based programmes versus supplementation should be critically assessed.

Keywords: Bone health, Children, Growth, Preadolescent, Physical development, Undernutrition.

Article Information


Identifiers and Pagination:

Year: 2016
Volume: 10
First Page: 13
Last Page: 22
Publisher Id: TONUTRJ-10-13
DOI: 10.2174/1874288201610010013

Article History:

Received Date: 05/07/2016
Revision Received Date: 13/10/2016
Acceptance Date: 17/10/2016
Electronic publication date: 28/12/2016
Collection year: 2016

© Kruger et al.; Licensee Bentham Open

open-access license: This is an open access article licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial 4.0 International Public License (CC BY-NC 4.0) (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/legalcode), which permits unrestricted, non-commercial use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the work is properly cited.


* Address correspondence to this author at the School of Food and Nutrition, Massey Institute for Food Science and Technology, Massey University, Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North, New Zealand; Tel: +646 350 5905; Fax: +646 350 5446; E-mail: m.c.kruger@massey.ac.nz


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