Nutr Res Pract.  2015 Aug;9(4):393-399. 10.4162/nrp.2015.9.4.393.

Effects of multiple herb formula SEC-22 supplementation on dietary intake, picky eating behaviors, and growth indices in thin preschool children

• Kim K
• Lee J
• Paik HY
• Yoon J
• Ryu B
• Shim JE

• KMID: 2313856
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4162/nrp.2015.9.4.393

Abstract

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES
Thin children may have insufficient intake of energy and nutrients, resulting in reduced immune function and growth. This study aimed to identify the effects of multiple herb formula SEC-22 supplementation on growth, dietary changes, and picky eating behaviors in thin children.
SUBJECTS/METHODS
A double-blind, randomized clinical trial was conducted on 79 children aged 2-5 years with poor appetites, BMI percentile < 25, and without any illness. Subjects were given either SEC-22 (n = 35) or placebo (n = 44) for 2 months and followed for an additional 2 months. Three-day dietary records, questionnaires on picky eating behaviors, and anthropometric measures were collected.
RESULTS
Energy, carbohydrate intake, and feeding difficulty improved in both groups during the intervention period. However, changes were maintained only in the SEC-22 group after 2 months of follow-up post-supplementation. 'Frequency of trying to feed' was improved in the SEC-22 group compared to the placebo group after the first month of follow-up (P < 0.05). Intakes of potassium and thiamine were improved in the SEC-22 group compared to the placebo group after the first month of intervention (P < 0.05). 'Frequency of food reward', eating amount, and intakes of carbohydrate, potassium, and vitamin C showed significant improvement compared to the placebo group after the second month of follow-up (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that SEC-22 supplementation can improve parental feeding difficulty resulting from insufficient eating amount or picky eating as well as increase nutrient intake in thin children. Although these improvements were observable at least 2 months after supplementation, effects beyond this time frame need to be confirmed.

Keyword

Underweight; picky eating; thin children; feeding difficulty; herb extracts

MeSH Terms

Appetite
Ascorbic Acid
Child
Child, Preschool*
Diet Records
Eating
Feeding Behavior*
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Parents
Potassium
Thiamine
Thinness
Ascorbic Acid
Potassium
Thiamine

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