| Background: The nutrition transition occurring in many developing countries may invite the misconception that diets are moving entirely away from undernutrition toward problems of excess. But despite the sufficiency of energy in these countries, diet quality is poor and micronutrient deficiencies often remain. In this context, micronutrient deficiencies may actually contribute to the development and severity of diet-related chronic diseases. Objectives: This paper discusses the potential long-term effects of micronutrient malnutrition in early childhood on obesity and related disease outcomes. The links between early micronutrient malnutrition, stunting, and subsequent short adult stature— emerging risk factors for obesity and associated chronic... |
