Abbott said a randomized controlled trial in India has found that oral nutritional supplementation alongside dietary counselling significantly improved growth, lean mass and bone health among children at risk of undernutrition.
The six-month study covered 223 children aged about 3 to 7 years with picky eating habits who were undernourished or at risk of undernutrition. While all participants received dietary counselling, around half also received two daily servings of Abbott’s PediaSure pediatric oral nutritional supplement.
According to the findings, supplemented children recorded approximately 2.4 times greater height gain and nearly 15% higher lean mass gain compared with children receiving dietary counselling alone. They also achieved up to four times greater gains in weight-for-age and height-for-age percentiles, indicating stronger catch-up growth.
DXA assessments, used to evaluate body composition and bone health, showed a 35% increase in bone mineral density and higher bone mineral content, without excess fat accumulation. The supplemented group also recorded higher energy, carbohydrate and protein intake and improved mid-upper arm circumference percentiles.
The findings were published in Children and the Journal of Clinical Medicine in 2025. Abbott said the research adds to evidence supporting targeted nutritional intervention for children facing growth gaps.
The company noted that PediaSure is supported by more than 20 clinical studies spanning over 30 years. Abbott said the study is particularly relevant as NFHS-6 data show 29.3% of Indian children under five are stunted and 31.8% are underweight.
