Child Growth and Development

Abstract

The healthy growth and development of infants and young children is of paramount importance for children to develop their full physical and mental potentials. Child growth is internationally recognized as the best global indicator of physical well-being in children and a number of international goals, like the World Health Assembly global targets for 2025, include growth-related targets for stunting, wasting, and overweight among children below 5 years. The consequences of poor child growth in terms of mortality, morbidity, and impaired cognitive development are severe and far-reaching. There are also important consequences in adult life in terms of body size, work and reproductive performances, and risk of chronic diseases. Assessing child growth is not difficult, but requires adherence to key principles and attention to detail. This chapter reviews concepts, indicators, and growth standards for assessing impaired fetal and child growth; describes the magnitude and geographical distribution of growth retardation in developing countries; outlines the main health and social consequences of impaired growth in terms of morbidity, mortality, child development, and adult life consequences; and reviews interventions aimed at promoting healthy growth and development.