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The impact of Quality Protein Maize (QPM) on school children's weight and height: Results from an effectiveness trial in Colombia
Author(s) -
Pachon Helena,
Pico Sayda Milena,
Gomez Jorge E.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.25.1_supplement.986.1
Subject(s) - context (archaeology) , medicine , weight gain , zoology , body weight , demography , pediatrics , geography , biology , archaeology , sociology
QPM has a greater concentration of lysine and tryptophan and has been proven more efficacious than common maize (CM) in improving the weight and height of preschool children. The objective was to evaluate the impact on school children's weight and height of consuming QPM through a government‐supported school feeding program in rural Colombia. In a quasi‐experimental design, schools were assigned to receive QPM seed for planting (n=4), QPM for consuming (n=3), or CM for consuming (n=5). At baseline and 12 mo later at endline, children's (n=274) weight and height were measured. During the 2‐mo holiday period, children in the consumption groups were provided sufficient maize for the whole family. At baseline, children were 88 ± 16 (average ± SD) mo, 114.2 ± 8.0 cm tall, and weighed 21.6 ± 4.0 kg; 33.7% were stunted (HAZ<−2). Children in the seed group were 3 cm shorter than children in the consumption groups. By endline, children gained an average of 3 kg and 6 cm, independent of intervention group. These results did not change after adjusting for the cluster design and covariates. Tryptophan levels were 28% higher in QPM than CM, schools provided maize 38–166 school days during the academic year, and maize consumed by children ranged from 16 to 110 g/day. In conclusion, in the context of a governmental school feeding program, QPM did not improve school children's weight and height compared with CM. Funding: AgroSalud (CIDA 7034161).