Long-Lasting Effects of Undernutrition

Vinicius J. B. Martins, Telma M. M. Toledo Florêncio, Luciane P. Grillo, Maria Do Carmo P. Franco, Paula A. Martins, Ana Paula G. Clemente, Carla D. L. Santos, Maria de Fatima A. Vieira and Ana Lydia Sawaya
Additional contact information
Vinicius J. B. Martins: Department of Physiology, Federal University of São Paulo, Rua Botucatu, 862, Edifício de Ciências Biomédicas, 2° andar CEP 04023-060 São Paulo, SP, Brazil
Telma M. M. Toledo Florêncio: Department of Nutrition, Federal University of Alagoas, Rua Hélio Pradines, 225/301 Ponta Verde, CEP 57035-220 Maceió, Alagoas, Brazil
Luciane P. Grillo: Professional Masters Program in Health and Work Management, Vale of Itajaí University, Rua Uruguai 458, Bloco 25 B, Sala 402, Centro, CEP 88302-202 Itajaí, SC, Brazil
Maria Do Carmo P. Franco: Department of Physiology, Federal University of São Paulo, Rua Botucatu, 862, Edifício de Ciências Biomédicas, 2° andar CEP 04023-060 São Paulo, SP, Brazil
Paula A. Martins: Department of Health Sciences, Federal University of São Paulo, Av. Ana Costa, 95 Vila Matias CEP 11060-001, Santos, São Paulo, Brazil
Ana Paula G. Clemente: Department of Physiology, Federal University of São Paulo, Rua Botucatu, 862, Edifício de Ciências Biomédicas, 2° andar CEP 04023-060 São Paulo, SP, Brazil
Carla D. L. Santos: Department of Physiology, Federal University of São Paulo, Rua Botucatu, 862, Edifício de Ciências Biomédicas, 2° andar CEP 04023-060 São Paulo, SP, Brazil
Maria de Fatima A. Vieira: Nutrition College, Federal University of Pelotas, Campus Universitário, CP 354, Pelotas, RS, Brazil
Ana Lydia Sawaya: Department of Physiology, Federal University of São Paulo, Rua Botucatu, 862, Edifício de Ciências Biomédicas, 2° andar CEP 04023-060 São Paulo, SP, Brazil

IJERPH, 2011, vol. 8, issue 6, 1-30

Abstract: Undernutrition is one of the most important public health problems, affecting more than 900 million individuals around the World. It is responsible for the highest mortality rate in children and has long-lasting physiologic effects, including an increased susceptibility to fat accumulation mostly in the central region of the body, lower fat oxidation, lower resting and postprandial energy expenditure, insulin resistance in adulthood, hypertension, dyslipidaemia and a reduced capacity for manual work, among other impairments. Marked changes in the function of the autonomic nervous system have been described in undernourished experimental animals. Some of these effects seem to be epigenetic, passing on to the next generation. Undernutrition in children has been linked to poor mental development and school achievement as well as behavioural abnormalities. However, there is still a debate in the literature regarding whether some of these effects are permanent or reversible. Stunted children who had experienced catch-up growth had verbal vocabulary and quantitative test scores that did not differ from children who were not stunted. Children treated before 6 years of age in day-hospitals and who recovered in weight and height have normal body compositions, bone mineral densities and insulin production and sensitivity.

Keywords: undernutrition; hypertension; body composition; dyslipidaemia; insulin; energy expenditure (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2011
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (10)

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