Why stunting matters.

Stunting is both a direct cause of short adult height and sub-optimal function later in life and a key marker of the underlying processes in early life that lead to poor growth and other adverse outcomes. Stunting is a risk factor for diminished survival childhood and adult health learning capacity and productivity. The most effective interventions to prevent stunting take place during the window of opportunity: the period of gestation and the first 2 years of life. Children worldwide have the capacity to reach their height potential if they grow up in healthy environments and their caregivers follow recommended health nutrition and care practices.