- Human Potential trapped in the inter-generational cycle of malnutrition.

Human Potential trapped in the inter-generational cycle of malnutrition.

The green pathway denotes the period between conception and 2 years (‘the first 1000 days’) when growth failure and probably all associated pathology are most responsive to, or preventable by, interventions.


 The yellow pathway denotes periods between age 2 years and mid-childhood and during the adolescent growth spurt when some catch-up in linear growth may occur, though effects during these periods on other components of the stunting syndrome (e.g. cognition and immune function) are less clear.

 The short yellow pathway before Conceptus reflects evidence that dietary interventions targeting stunted women during the pre-conception period improve birth outcomes.

 The red pathway denotes periods when the stunting syndrome appears unresponsive to interventions.

 Blue boxes list age-specific causative or aggravating factors.
White boxes describe common age-specific outcomes.

Between 2 years and adulthood, the pathways diverge to denote: dashed line, a stunted child whose environment becomes more affluent with abundant access to food, causing excessive weight gain; solid line: a stunted child whose environment remains resource-constrained/food insecure.


Ref:  Prendergast AJ, Humphrey JH. The stunting syndrome in developing countries. Paediatrics and International Child Health. 2014;34(4):250-265. doi:10.1179/2046905514Y.0000000158.