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How can malnutrition affect a child’s height and long-term development?

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rickets, a nutritional disease — nutritional disease Children with rickets. The disease, which most commonly strikes children, causes bone deformities such as bowlegs. Rickets is caused by a lack of vitamin D or calcium.

Malnutrition significantly impairs a child’s physical growth and long-term development. Because adequate intake of protein, calories, and essential vitamins and minerals is vital for bone formation, chronic dietary deficiencies often lead to stunted height. Conditions such as rickets, caused by a lack of vitamin D, result in defective growth of the epiphyseal cartilage, leading to bone deformities.123

Beyond physical stature, malnutrition can have profound, lasting effects on development:

Intellectual and Brain Growth: Particularly during the first year of life, severe malnutrition or starvation may result in reduced brain growth and intellectual functioning that cannot be fully restored. There is significant concern regarding the permanent aftereffects of conditions like kwashiorkor on cognitive and intellectual functions.42
Systemic Health: Malnutrition causes muscle wasting, fatigue, and increased susceptibility to infectious diseases, which can create a cycle of illness that further hinders development.423
Long-term Consequences: Persistent hunger and poor nutritional status are linked to diminished mental function and overall failure to thrive, impacting a child's health and potential throughout their life.3