Contents - Previous - Next

Onset and evolution of stunting in infants and children. Examples from the Human Nutrition Collaborative Research Support Program. Kenya and Egypt studies

1. Introduction
2. The Nutrition Collaborative Research Support Program
3. Example of stunting: Kenya project
4. Example of stunting: Egypt project
5. Summary
References

C.G. Neumann and G.G. Harrison

Division of Population and Family Health, UCLA School of Public Health and School of Medicine (Pediatrics), 10833 Hilgard Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90024, USA

Correspondence to: C.G. Neumann.

1. Introduction

Stunting is frequently associated with functional disadvantages (Martorell et al., 1992; Neumann & Bwibo, 1987; Neumann, Bwibo & Sigman, 1992). Even when socioeconomic status and other home and environmental factors are controlled for, stunting per se remains negatively correlated with cognitive and school performance, physical activity and reproductive outcome, and positively correlated with risk of infection. Chronic food deficits accompanied by infection contribute to stunting and underweight, both of which are highly prevalent in developing countries and are the most common forms of malnutrition (Jelliffe & Jelliffe, 1989).

2. The Nutrition Collaborative Research Support Program

A three-country longitudinal study entitled "Food Intake and Human Function," the Nutrition Collaborative Research Support Program (NCRSP) ¹ enabled the study of about 250 households in each of the countries. We observed three cohorts of children of different ages, their biologic parents and, to a more limited extent, other household members. Food intake, growth, morbidity and a number of household and environmental characteristics were followed longitudinally for one to two years. This design allowed us to observe growth patterns over time and over the range of childhood stages of growth and development. It also provided the opportunity to study mothers before, during and after a pregnancy, and their newborns for at least the first 6 months of life. Parallel studies in Egypt, Kenya and Mexico were carried out simultaneously. The results of the Mexico study pertaining to stunting are presented in the previous chapter, and the findings of the Egypt study are briefly summarized in this paper. Infants were not followed continuously to school age or adolescence, but three cohorts of children of different age groups were followed concurrently.