Growth in adolescence: Potential interventions to improve growth and health and reduce the risks of future non-communicable disease

Growth in Adolescence: Potential interventions to improve growth and health and reduce the risks of future non-communicable disease: a cross-sectional pilot survey and interview study to inform a future RCT

Status

Active, not recruiting

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Observational

Source

ISRCTN

Registry ID

ISRCTN43582765

Enrollment

780

Registered

2016-09-01

Start date

2016-08-24

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2017-02-20

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

1. Stunting 2. Increased risk of future non communicable disease (NCD) Nutritional, Metabolic, Endocrine

Interventions

This observational research will take place in Karonga (rural site) and a Lilongwe (urban Site) in Malawi and will consist of: 1. Qualitative research: Key informant interviews with future study stake

and secondary data analysis in Karonga where basic anthropometry for all adolescents is already available 3. A detailed quantitative survey nested within the prevalence survey: More in-depth assessmen

detailed anthropometry (following WHO recommended measurement methods)

assessment of physical activity (using accelerometers)

cognitive function (using CANTAB cognitive testing)

and body composition by Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis or BIA (using Bodystat 1500MDD at 50Khz). Study questionnaires are based on existing validated tools including used in the Global School Heath

teachers

community healthcare workers

other community leaders will also be interviewed.

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

All

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: 1. Adolescents aged 10-19 years 2. Both males and females 3. Living in Karonga district or Lilongwe Area 25

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: 1. Visiting adolescents who do not live in the catchment area 2. Adolescents who do not have full consent to participate in the study 3. Adolescents with a disability that means a height measure cannot be obtained

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
1. Prevalence of stunting defined as height-for-age z score <-2 based on WHO 2007 Growth Standards, in adolescents aged 10-19 years in study communities in Karonga and Area 25 of Lilongwe 2. Views of adolescents on design of a future intervention assessed through qualitative interviews 3. Baseline means and standard deviations for: 3.1. Steps per day measured with Actilife accelerometers worn for 48 hours 3.2. Key CANTAB (cognitive function) outcomes, as dictated by the manufacturers, from a battery of 6 tests: Motor Screening Task (MOT), Paired Associates Learning (PAL), Pattern Recognition Memory (PRM), Reaction Time (RTI), Emotion Recognition Task (ERT) and Spatial Span (SSP) 3.3. Resistance, Reactance, Impedance Index and Phase angle measured by BIA device 3.4. Hand grip strength measured as the best of 3 attempts on each hand	—

Measure

Time frame

1. Prevalence of stunting defined as height-for-age z score <-2 based on WHO 2007 Growth Standards, in adolescents aged 10-19 years in study communities in Karonga and Area 25 of Lilongwe 2. Views of adolescents on design of a future intervention assessed through qualitative interviews 3. Baseline means and standard deviations for: 3.1. Steps per day measured with Actilife accelerometers worn for 48 hours 3.2. Key CANTAB (cognitive function) outcomes, as dictated by the manufacturers, from a battery of 6 tests: Motor Screening Task (MOT), Paired Associates Learning (PAL), Pattern Recognition Memory (PRM), Reaction Time (RTI), Emotion Recognition Task (ERT) and Spatial Span (SSP) 3.3. Resistance, Reactance, Impedance Index and Phase angle measured by BIA device 3.4. Hand grip strength measured as the best of 3 attempts on each hand

—

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
1. Intra-cluster correlation coefficient for HAZ (height-for-age z-score),steps per day, CANTAB outcomes, BIA outcomes and hand grip strength. 2. Views of parents, community leaders and relevant professionals on the design of a future intervention assessed though qualitative interviews 3. Risk factors for stunting, poor health and NCDs in this population including: 3.1. Blood pressure 3.2. Nutritional intake measured using FAO 24 hour food recall method 3.3. Waist/hip circumference ratio 3.4. Sitting height 3.5. Behaviour and hygiene factors measured using standard questions from WHO Global school-based student health survey (GSHS) 3.6. Socioeconomic status calculated using principal components analysis (PCA) of standard asset questions from the Malawi Demographic Health Survey (DHS) 4. Mean difference between main outcomes (CANTAB outcomes, steps per day, BIA outcomes and handgrip strength) between stunted and non-stunted individuals	—

Measure

Time frame

1. Intra-cluster correlation coefficient for HAZ (height-for-age z-score),steps per day, CANTAB outcomes, BIA outcomes and hand grip strength. 2. Views of parents, community leaders and relevant professionals on the design of a future intervention assessed though qualitative interviews 3. Risk factors for stunting, poor health and NCDs in this population including: 3.1. Blood pressure 3.2. Nutritional intake measured using FAO 24 hour food recall method 3.3. Waist/hip circumference ratio 3.4. Sitting height 3.5. Behaviour and hygiene factors measured using standard questions from WHO Global school-based student health survey (GSHS) 3.6. Socioeconomic status calculated using principal components analysis (PCA) of standard asset questions from the Malawi Demographic Health Survey (DHS) 4. Mean difference between main outcomes (CANTAB outcomes, steps per day, BIA outcomes and handgrip strength) between stunted and non-stunted individuals

—

Countries

Malawi

Contacts

Public ContactMarko Kerac

marko.kerac@lshtm.ac.uk+44(0)2079588143

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ISRCTN (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026