ABSTRACT
Objective: To observe the effect of yoghurt supplementation on the growth rate of preschool children in Beijing suburb. Methods: 402 healthy children (217 males, 185 females), aged 3-5 years old, were selected as subjects with height and/or weight less than WHO standard from 7 kindergartens in Beijing suburb. The children were divided randomly into control group (CG 201) and yoghurt supplemented group (YG 201). Children in YG were supplemented with yoghurt (125g) for 5d per week for 9 mo, and children in CG not supplemented. Height, weight and upper-arm circumference were measured every month. Blood biochemical parameters (Hb,TP) were detected every 3 mo. Results: Calcium, zinc and VB2 were consumed more in YG than CG. Hb in YG was also higher than CG . The height incease and weight gain of YG was significantly higher than CG during 3, 6 and 9mo. Conclusion: Yoghurt supplementation for 9 months can increase calcium, zinc and VB2 intake, and improve preschool childrens nutritional status, therefore increase their height increase and weight gain.