Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41007480›Full record

Trial reportInternational journal of environmental research and public health2025

Effect of a School-Based Physical Activity and Multi-Micronutrient Supplementation Intervention on Cognitive Function and Academic Achievement Among Schoolchildren in Tanzania: Secondary Outcome from the KaziAfya Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial.

Elihaika G Minja, Emmanuel C Mrimi, Winfrida P Mponzi, Johanna Beckmann, Marceline F Finda, Fredros O Okumu, Kurt Z Long, Christin Lang, Jürg Utzinger, Markus Gerber

Abstract readRandomized Controlled Trial
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Trial report in International journal of environmental research and public health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Elihaika G MinjaEnvironmental Health and Ecological Sciences Department, Ifakara Health Institute, Ifakara, P.O. Box 53, Tanzania.ORCID 0000-0002-8142-5427
Emmanuel C MrimiEnvironmental Health and Ecological Sciences Department, Ifakara Health Institute, Ifakara, P.O. Box 53, Tanzania.ORCID 0000-0002-6707-7040
Winfrida P MponziEnvironmental Health and Ecological Sciences Department, Ifakara Health Institute, Ifakara, P.O. Box 53, Tanzania.
Johanna BeckmannDepartment of Sport, Exercise and Health, University of Basel, Grosse Allee 6, CH-4052 Basel, Switzerland.ORCID 0000-0002-3912-0128
Marceline F FindaEnvironmental Health and Ecological Sciences Department, Ifakara Health Institute, Ifakara, P.O. Box 53, Tanzania.
Fredros O OkumuEnvironmental Health and Ecological Sciences Department, Ifakara Health Institute, Ifakara, P.O. Box 53, Tanzania.
Kurt Z LongSwiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Kreuzstrasse 2, CH-4123 Allschwil, Switzerland.
Christin LangDepartment of Sport, Exercise and Health, University of Basel, Grosse Allee 6, CH-4052 Basel, Switzerland.ORCID 0000-0002-2532-9019
Jürg UtzingerSwiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Kreuzstrasse 2, CH-4123 Allschwil, Switzerland.
Markus GerberDepartment of Sport, Exercise and Health, University of Basel, Grosse Allee 6, CH-4052 Basel, Switzerland.ORCID 0000-0001-6140-8948

Funding

Foundation Botnar 6071
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundPhysical activity (PA) and adequate micronutrient intake are essential for brain development and may influence cognitive function and academic achievement. However, few large-scale studies have assessed the combined effects of PA and multi-micronutrient supplementation (MMNS) in school-age children.

methodsA cluster-randomized placebo-controlled trial in four peri-urban Tanzanian schools assigned children to one of four groups: (i) PA alone; (ii) MMNS alone; (iii) PA plus MMNS; or (iv) placebo. Children were followed over two school years with assessments at baseline, 14 months, and 26 months. Cognitive function was assessed using computerized Flanker tasks. Academic achievement was evaluated through end-of-year exams in mathematics and Kiswahili subject scores. Anthropometric measures determined nutritional status. Data were analyzed using generalized estimated equations (GEE).

resultsComplete data from 559 children (326 girls, 233 boys) aged 6-12 years showed differing characteristics across groups, particularly age and body mass index. No significant intervention effects on cognitive function were found. MMNS groups (alone or combined with PA) showed significantly higher Kiswahili scores, while PA alone had the lowest performance compared to placebo. No intervention effect was found in mathematics. Sex, hemoglobin level, and baseline measures were key predictors for cognition or academic performance.

conclusionsPA and MMNS interventions showed no significant cognitive or academic improvements versus placebo. Further research should optimize school-based nutrition and PA programs for improved learning outcomes.

Indexed as

Academic SuccessCognitionDietary SupplementsExerciseMicronutrientsChildFemaleHumansMaleSchoolsTanzaniaMicronutrientsacademic performancecluster-randomized trialcognitive functionmicronutrients supplementationphysical activityschool-age childrenTanzania

Identifiers

PMID41007480
PMCPMC12469510

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.