Stunted growth

Stunted growth means that a person's height is shorter than what it should be according to their age and gender. Just like fruits and vegetables need enough water, food and sunlight to grow big and healthy, our bodies need enough nutrients like vitamins and minerals from healthy foods to grow strong and to their full height.

If a child doesn't get enough healthy food, or has a disease that makes it hard for their body to use the food they eat, they may not grow as tall as they should be. This can also happen if they grew up in a stressful environment or did not have access to clean water and sanitation, which can cause infections and diseases that also limit growth.

Stunted growth can also affect other parts of the body, such as the brain, muscles, and bones. It can make it harder for children to learn and play, and it can lead to problems with their health when they grow up, such as heart disease and diabetes.

To help prevent stunted growth, we need to make sure that children have access to healthy foods, clean water and sanitation, and good healthcare. We also need to make sure that parents and caregivers learn about good nutrition and feeding practices so that children can grow up healthy and strong.