Abstract
This article discloses and discusses recent findings that have associated stunting - which still represents the most prevalent deviation from normal body measurements among children living in developing countries - with overweight and higher adiposity, mainly in the central region of the body, and their clinical and physio-pathological consequences. Although there is need for further studies to clarify these associations, there is a tendency for the weight/height index and body fat topography to behave differently in short and normal stature individuals, mainly in females. This review, therefore, alerts health professionals this characteristic, given that this anthropometric profile may be linked to the widespread occurrence of chronic non-communicable diseases and/or to risk factors for these conditions and that stunting is still a reality in developing countries.
Highlights
Is stunting still a public health problem?The height/age index reflects the linear growth achieved during the pre- and post-natal periods
This article discloses and discusses recent findings that have associated stunting - which still represents the most prevalent deviation from normal body measurements among children living in developing countries with overweight and higher adiposity, mainly in the central region of the body, and their clinical and physio-pathological consequences
The Word Health Organization (WHO)[1] proposes a classification of low stature or stunting when the height for age lies below the third percentile or -2 Z scores, in relation to the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) distribution
Summary
Is stunting still a public health problem?The height/age index reflects the linear growth achieved during the pre- and post-natal periods.
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