Study shows nutrition supplement helps undernourished kids grow taller, stronger

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February 23, 2026 | 2:18pm

MANILA, Philippines — A recent study showed that undernourished children who were given nutrition supplement grew significantly taller, built stronger bones, developed more muscles, and experienced fewer sick days.

The randomized controlled trial, a first of its kind, involved 330 children aged 2 to 5, who are either undernourished or at risk of being undernourished, all of whom were below a healthy height — or at least mildly stunted — for their age.

Called The Supporting Pediatric Growth and Health Outcomes (SPROUT), the study randomized the children into two groups, with one group receiving two servings of the nutrition supplement PediaSure Plus daily for 120 days while the other group of children continued their habitual milk intake. All of them, including their respective families, received dietary counseling along with the milk consumption, and growth and health outcomes were measured throughout the study.

For the SPROUT study, which was conducted in Vietnam, Abbott used its new PediaSure Plus with PeptiGro System formulation. The PeptiGro System features natural vitamin K2, arginine, and casein phosphopeptides (CPPs), which help support optimal growth among children.

Published online in the Nutrition Journal on July 11, 2025, findings of the randomized, controlled trial showed efficacy of long-term oral nutritional supplementation with dietary counseling on growth, body composition and bone mineralization in children with or at risk for undernutrition.

Specifically, the group of children who received two servings of the supplement along with dietary counseling displayed two times height improvement and approximately 50% greater gain in lean mass than the group of children who continued their habitual milk intake and received only dietary counseling over an eight-month period. Lean mass includes muscle, bones, organs and everything in the body except body fat. The children also had other health benefits like fewer sick days, higher energy levels and better nutritional intake.

In addition to height and lean mass improvements, the children developed longer and stronger bones. They had longer leg length and 40% more gain in bone density, with no extra fat gain. The children also experienced 37% fewer sick days and 37% fewer missed school days.

The children also developed better appetite, improved their nutritional status and higher energy levels. It also found higher parent-reported appetite, as well as better vitamin D and K status, which are critical for bone development, and calcium absorption and utilization have been noted.

“This study emphasizes the profound impact of nutrition on growth, development and overall health,” said Dr. Mandy Ow, senior clinical scientist at Abbott’s nutrition research and development center in Singapore. “Our research demonstrates that addressing undernutrition with nutrition supplements can support a child's development beyond just visible height by promoting overall quality growth.”

Decades of research have demonstrated that nutrition supplements, which provide a complete blend of macronutrients and micronutrients, are effective in promoting growth in undernourished children.

“Proper nutrition is the foundation for growth and health, and can support children through critical growth periods. Nutrition during early childhood, especially in the first five years, supports physical growth, and builds strength, resilience and immunity,” said Dr. Jennifer Olay, a pediatric gastroenterologist and nutrition expert.

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