Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 15, 2026

Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
Published on: February 2, 2017
Nutrition and performance in children
Gary Fanjiang1, Ronald E Kleinman
1Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 175 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
Purpose Of Review:
Malnutrition in late infancy and childhood remains a significant public health issue in developing nations as well as for those in transition to an industrialized economy. In addition, in these settings and particularly in developed nations, overweight is becoming a very serious threat to both the immediate and the long-term health of children. In this review, we present recent studies that have examined relationships between childhood undernutrition and three general areas of performance: physical activity, cognition and behavior.
Recent Findings:
Malnourished children have been shown to have decreased physical activity and endurance, and poorer cognitive function and school performance. Multiple single micronutrient deficiencies, including vitamin B12, thiamin, niacin, zinc and iron, have been associated with poorer cognitive performance. Behavioral problems, including attention deficits, have also been associated with food insufficiency and malnutrition.
Summary:
The effects of impaired nutritional status during childhood may have long-standing consequences for the health and performance of children during their adult years.
Related Concept Videos
Nature and Nurture
Parentral Nutrition: Centeral and Peripheral Parental Nutrition
PN can be administered through two primary routes:
1. Central Parenteral Nutrition (CPN):
CPN involves delivering a high concentration of nutrients through a large vein. This is typically achieved using a Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC) or,...
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption
Overview of Protein Metabolism
Amino acids play various roles in the body once they are absorbed into cells. They are restructured...
Proteins: Dietary Sources and Requirements
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Distribution