نبذة مختصرة : Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM) treatment utilizing ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) has been shown to enhance survival rates and facilitate weight gain. Nonetheless, the impact of RUTF on body composition in children remains inadequately investigated in different contexts. The presence of excess adiposity is associated with an increased risk of chronic diseases in later life, including cardiovascular diseases and diabetes mellitus. This study evaluated the effects of MAM treatment on body composition among children aged 2–3 years who had previously received MAM treatment versus those untreated, using the Deuterium Dilution Technique. In a cross-sectional study, 206 children (67 MAM treated and 139 untreated) were enrolled through simple random sampling at the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) clinic of Siaya County Referral Hospital in western Kenya. Child weight, height, and Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) were measured using a Seca weighing scale, a wooden length/ height board and MUAC tape, respectively. Body composition indicators, including Fat Mass (FM) and Fat-Free Mass (FFM), were assessed and the Fat Mass Index (FMI) and Fat-Free Mass Index (FFMI) computed. MAM treatment involved a standard regimen of Corn Soy Blend Plus (CSB+) for 6 to 12 weeks or until recovery. Generally, children born with shorter childbirth intervals, specifically those closely following immediate older siblings, were more likely to be malnourished and MAM-treated (p=0.001), as were those with lower birth weights (p
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