Isso está associado ao deficit no crescimento crônico e grave.
Associado a deficits de crescimento em longo prazo, função cognitiva e desempenho acadêmico.[47]Walker SP, Chang SM, Powell CA, et al. Effects of early childhood psychosocial stimulation and nutritional supplementation on cognition and education in growth-stunted Jamaican children: prospective cohort study. Lancet. 2005 Nov 19;366(9499):1804-7.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16298218?tool=bestpractice.com
[48]Berkman DS, Lescano AG, Gilman RH, et al. Effects of stunting, diarrhoeal disease, and parasitic infection during infancy on cognition in late childhood: a follow-up study. Lancet. 2002 Feb 16;359(9306):564-71.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11867110?tool=bestpractice.com
Deficit de estatura precoce (especialmente em países de rendas baixa e média) pode aumentar o risco de obesidade, resultando em uma carga dupla de desnutrição precoce e obesidade subsequente.[49]Pomeroy E, Stock JT, Stanojevic S, et al. Stunting, adiposity, and the individual-level "dual burden" among urban lowland and rural highland peruvian children. Am J Hum Biol. 2014 Jul-Aug;26(4):481-90.
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ajhb.22551/full
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24706334?tool=bestpractice.com
[50]Black RE, Victora CG, Walker SP, et al. Maternal and child undernutrition and overweight in low-income and middle-income countries. Lancet. 2013 Aug 3;382(9890):427-451.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23746772?tool=bestpractice.com
A fome compromete a aprendizagem.[51]Weinreb L, Wehler C, Perloff J, et al. Hunger: its impact on children's health and mental health. Pediatrics. 2002 Oct;110(4):e41.
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/110/4/e41
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12359814?tool=bestpractice.com
Os problemas psicossociais que geralmente contribuem para o deficit no crescimento também podem prejudicar o desenvolvimento das crianças.