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Early play helps stunted children
[Posted: Fri 28/07/2006 - www.irishhealth.com]
Play in early childhood significantly aids the emotional development of children with stunted growth, the results of a new study indicate.
According to the researchers, stunted growth affects 30% of children under the age of five globally and is associated with poor development and behavioural problems in late adolescence.
Some studies suggest that psychosocial stimulation (play) in early childhood reduces antisocial behaviour and delinquency in adolescence, but so far, the evidence has been limited. As a result, the researchers set out to determine whether dietary supplementation or psychosocial stimulation in early childhood had any long-term benefits in late adolescence.
The researchers identified 129 children with stunted growth in 1986 and 1987. All of the children were aged between nine and 24 months. At that time, each was assigned to one of four groups:
-Control group (no intervention).
-Supplementation (with 1kg of milk-based formula each week).
-Psychosocial stimulation (weekly play sessions with mother and child).
-Both supplementation and play.
These interventions lasted for two years. Then, in 2002 and 2003, 103 of the participants, who were now adolescents aged 17 and 18, were re-examined to assess their 'psychosocial functioning', i.e. self-esteem, anxiety, depression and antisocial behaviour.
The researchers found that those who had received the stimulation of play as young children reported significantly less anxiety and depression and higher self-esteem. Their parents also reported that the children had fewer attention problems.
Supplementation appeared to have no significant effect.
"Psychosocial stimulation in early childhood has sustained benefits for the psychosocial functioning of stunted children. The next challenge is to develop interventions that can meet the needs of the enormous number of stunted children", the researchers said.
Details of these findings are published in the British Medical Journal.
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