Long term consequences of early childhood malnutrition
Published: December 2003
Publication: International Food Policy Research Institution
Authors: Harold Alderman, John Hoddinott, Bill Kinsey
Background
- Researchers studied the preschool nutritional status (measured by height, given age) of children in Zimbabwe who experienced civil unrest and/or a drought before the age of three
- Civil war and droughts were used as an indicator of malnourishment
- Nutritional status was then compared to subsequent health and education achievements of these children to show the effects of early-childhood malnutrition on adult outcomes
Summary
- The study indicates that early childhood malnutrition can lead to continued stunting and lower school achievement in adolescence as compared to peers who experienced no malnutrition or a lesser degree of malnutrition in childhood
- Children who measured at median height in preschool were more likely to measure at median height by adolescence and have completed an additional 0.7 grades of schooling than students who measured below median height in preschool
- This study also indicates that improving preschool nutrition can facilitate growth and higher educational achievement in adolescence
- Because of the negative impact of “shocks” (i.e. war and drought), interventions should focus on mitigating the impact of these shocks.
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