Effect of dietary supplementation and high-intensity motor learning on nutritional status, body composition, linear growth and muscle strength of 5-7 years old children with moderate acute malnutrition in Jimma Town south-west, Ethiopia

Summary Background: Malnutrition is a global public health problem in both children and adults. Acute malnutrition is one of the leading global public health concerns, including in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Approximately 52 million under-five children suffer from acute malnutrition worldwide of which 17 million had severe acute malnutrition (SAM) leading to 8% of global deaths each year. Death from moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) is more prevalent than severe acute malnutrition (SAM) and affects approximately 64% of all those categorized as having acute malnutrition. It is not only a public health concern but also an impediment to global poverty eradication, productivity, and economic growth. By eliminating malnutrition, it is estimated that 32% of the global disease burden would be removed. As a widespread serious problem affecting children in developing countries, progress towards tackling the different forms of malnutrition remains relatively slow. Moreover, there is limited or no documented evidence on the effect of dietary supplementation and high-intensity motor learning on linear growth, muscle strength, body composition, and nutritional status of 5-7years old children with MAM.Objective: This study aims to assess the effect of dietary supplementation using Ready to Use Supplementary Food (RUSF) and high-intensity motor learning (HiML) or their combination on linear growth, body composition, muscle strength, time to recovery, hemoglobin level, and nutritional status of 5 - 7 years of age children with MAM in Jimma town, Ethiopia