"Researchers from the University of Copenhagen and humanitarian organizations have conducted a large study in Burkina Faso in West Africa treating more than  children with acute malnutrition. The study published Monday  September in the open access medical journal PLOS Medicine showed that cornsoy porridge should be replaced with a lipidbased nutrient supplement LNS a fortified peanut butter. The results of the study can be used directly both in the treatment and prevention of acute malnutrition. Globally more than  million children are affected by acute malnutrition. Those with the most severe acute malnutrition have more than ten times increased mortality and those surviving may have impaired development compared to children without malnutrition. But this can be prevented if children are treated early while they only have moderate acute malnutrition.  LNS supports healthy growth  Christian Fabiansen MD PhD and a team from the Department of Nutrition Sports and Exercise at the University of Copenhagen conducted the study in collaboration with a PhDstudent from the Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Sant in rural Northern Burkina Faso where there was a high prevalence of acute malnutrition. Dr Fabiansen previously worked in humanitarian medical projects with Mdecins Sans Frontires MSF who also sponsored this work. The research was conducted in a malnutrition project run by the medical humanitarian organisation The Alliance for International Medical Action ALIMA and its Burkinabe partners Keoogo and SOS Mdecins. During the trial  small children with moderate acute malnutrition were given either LNS or cornsoy porridge for  weeks. The study found that children who received LNS experienced greater weight gain and the large majority of the weight gain was healthy lean tissue.  Dr Fabiansen  the main author of the paper appearing in PLOS Medicine today underscores the importance of the findings Previous studies of nutritional supplements have mainly looked at the effect on weight gain. It has been a concern that LNS with its very high fat content would result mainly in weight gain composed of fat. But by using a method based measurement of heavy water in the childs body we have found that LNS mainly increase lean mass that is muscles and organs which are important for immune function survival and development.  Novel standard for research in malnutrition may save lives  Professor Henrik Friis the senior author on the paper points to the importance of the collaboration between university researchers and humanitarian organizations It has been a new way to conduct research that we tested the effect of nutritional supplements used mainly by aid agencies employing very advanced research methods in remote rural areas where humanitarian organization are working and not at the university hospitals. The collaboration between researchers and humanitarian organizations means these findings can have immediate practical impact on field practice.  The General Director of the Danish section of MSF Jesper H. Brix notes  Acute malnutrition is still a major global health problem. So I hope we can use the results to provide the best possible treatment for more vulnerable children. If we can treat children with moderate acute malnutrition with the scientifically proven most effective food aid product and thereby prevent severe acute malnutrition then many lives can be saved Dr Susan Shepherd a paediatrician who heads ALIMAs Operational and Clinical Research says ALIMA is very proud of its participation in this study. Vulnerable children no matter where they live deserve the best medical and nutritional treatments available. Studies like Treatfood generate the evidence we need to make the best decisions with our patients. ALIMA is committed to developing more research partnerships in its humanitarian projects because this is how we will raise the quality of medical practice for all. Treatfood treating acute malnutrition  University of Copenhagen Doctors Without Borders and ALIMA have collaborated on the project Treatfood which aims to improve products for children with acute malnutrition. The study was primarily funded by Danida MSFDenmark and MSFNorway and USAID via the World Food Programme.  The main Treatfood results are presented in the paper Effectiveness of food supplements in increasing fatfree tissue accretion in children with moderate acute malnutrition A randomised      factorial trial in Burkina Faso httpjournals.plos.orgplosmedicinearticleid.journal.pmed. published in the open access medical journal PLOS Medicine. Earlier peerreviewed articles from the study have appeared in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition BMC Nutrition and Appetite.  Facts about malnutrition  Malnutrition in children can be chronic or acute. In acute malnutrition children are thin relative to their height or wasted. Approximately  or  mio children globally are affected by acute malnutrition. Of these  have moderate and  severe acute malnutrition. Acute malnutrition is more lifethreatening than chronic. In chronic malnutrition the children are short relative to their age or stunted. More than  of children in the world have chronic malnutrition.  Previous research has focused on treatment of severe acute malnutrition. WHO has called for research to identify the most optimal foods for treatment of children with moderate acute malnutrition."