Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 8, 2026

Micro-dissection of Enamel Organ from Mandibular Incisor of Rats Exposed to Environmental Toxicants
08:12

Micro-dissection of Enamel Organ from Mandibular Incisor of Rats Exposed to Environmental Toxicants

Published on: March 29, 2018

Nutritional supplementation, psychosocial stimulation, and mental development of stunted children: the Jamaican Study

S M Grantham-McGregor1, C A Powell, S P Walker

  • 1Tropical Metabolism Research Unit, University of the West Indies, Jamaica.

Lancet (London, England)
|July 6, 1991
PubMed

Insights

Nutritional supplementation and psychosocial stimulation significantly improved mental development in stunted children. Combined interventions were most effective, suggesting undernutrition contributes to poor cognitive outcomes in growth-retarded youth.

Area of Science:

  • Child Development
  • Nutritional Science
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Undernutrition in early childhood is linked to impaired cognitive development.
  • Evidence for the impact of nutritional supplementation on mental development in undernourished children is limited.
  • Childhood stunting, a marker of chronic undernutrition, affects millions globally.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the effects of nutritional supplementation and psychosocial stimulation on the mental development of stunted children.
  • To determine if interventions are more effective independently or in combination.
  • To investigate the role of undernutrition in poor mental development among growth-retarded children.

Main Methods:

  • A randomized controlled trial involving 129 stunted children aged 9-24 months in Jamaica.
  • Four groups: control, supplementation only, stimulation only, and combined intervention.
  • Interventions included a milk-based formula and weekly home play sessions with health aides over 2 years.
  • Mental development assessed using Griffiths mental development scales.

Main Results:

  • Both nutritional supplementation and psychosocial stimulation showed significant independent benefits on children's development.
  • The combined intervention was significantly more effective than either intervention alone.
  • Supplementation effects ranged from 2.2 (hand-eye) to 12.4 (locomotor); stimulation effects ranged from 6.4 (hand-eye) to 10.3 (locomotor).
  • Stunted children's development quotients (DQ) were initially lower and declined in the control group.

Conclusions:

  • Nutritional supplementation and psychosocial stimulation positively impact the mental development of stunted children.
  • Combined interventions yield additive and synergistic benefits.
  • Undernutrition is a significant contributing factor to impaired mental development in growth-retarded children.

Keywords:
Age FactorsAmericasBehaviorBiologyCaribbeanChildChild DevelopmentCommunity WorkersControl GroupsData AnalysisDelivery Of Health CareDemographic FactorsDeveloping CountriesDiseasesEconomic FactorsHealthHealth PersonnelInfant NutritionJamaicaMalnutritionMeasurementNorth AmericaNutritionNutrition DisordersPopulationPopulation CharacteristicsPsychosocial FactorsResearch MethodologySocioeconomic FactorsSupplementary Feeding--beneficial effectsYouth

More Related Videos

A Co-Culture Method to Study Neurite Outgrowth in Response to Dental Pulp Paracrine Signals08:06

A Co-Culture Method to Study Neurite Outgrowth in Response to Dental Pulp Paracrine Signals

Published on: February 14, 2020

Impact of Common Fruit Juices and Toothbrushing on the Discoloration of Primary Teeth04:40

Impact of Common Fruit Juices and Toothbrushing on the Discoloration of Primary Teeth

Published on: March 27, 2026

Related Concept Videos

Teeth01:15

Teeth

The formation of teeth, also known as odontogenesis, is a complex process that begins in utero, around the sixth week of embryonic development. There are three stages to this process: the bud stage, the cap stage, and the bell stage.
In the bud stage, the tooth germ (an aggregation of cells) starts to form in the developing jawbone. During the cap stage, the tooth germ differentiates into enamel organ, dental papilla, and dental sac, which will later develop into the tooth's enamel, dentin and...
Tooth Anatomy01:21

Tooth Anatomy

The human tooth enables us to eat a variety of foods, speak clearly, and even aid in shaping our faces. Teeth are composed of various elements that work together. Here's a detailed look at the anatomy of a human tooth.
The Crown, Neck, and Root
The visible part of the tooth is referred to as the crown. It's covered by enamel, the hardest substance in the human body. The crown is uniquely shaped for each type of tooth, allowing for different functions such as cutting, tearing, or grinding food.
Psychosexual Stages of Personality: Oral01:16

Psychosexual Stages of Personality: Oral

The oral stage is the initial phase of Sigmund Freud's theory of psychosexual development, occurring from birth to approximately 12 to 18 months. During this period, the infant's mouth serves as the primary source of pleasure, with actions such as sucking, chewing, biting, and drinking playing a crucial role in reducing tension. These activities are essential not only for nourishment but also for the infant's psychological and emotional satisfaction.
Weaning, typically occurring around the age...
Socioemotional Development during Infancy01:30

Socioemotional Development during Infancy

Socio-emotional development in infancy is primarily shaped by early emotional responses and social connections, with temperament playing a central role. Temperament refers to the consistent patterns in an individual's emotional and behavioral responses, observable even in infancy. By examining temperament, researchers can better understand an infant's unique ways of interacting with the world, influencing subsequent personality and socio-emotional growth.
Primary Temperament Types
Stella Chess...
Relationship with Other Adult Family Members and Siblings01:29

Relationship with Other Adult Family Members and Siblings

Other adult family members and siblings play a crucial role in shaping children’s social and emotional development. While parents or primary caregivers are often the central figures in early attachment and socialization, other adults in a child’s life, such as grandparents, aunts, and uncles, can significantly influence developmental outcomes. These influences depend on each adult’s personality and may help compensate when a primary caregiver is emotionally distant or inconsistent. For...
Development of the Oral Microbiota01:28

Development of the Oral Microbiota

The establishment of the oral microbiome begins before birth, challenging the long-held belief that the fetal oral cavity is sterile. The presence of oral microbes such as Streptococcus and Fusobacterium in amniotic fluid suggests that microbial exposure may occur in utero, potentially through translocation from the maternal oral or gastrointestinal tract. This early colonization primes the neonatal immune system and sets the stage for subsequent microbial succession. Maternal health,...