Impact of rapid socioeconomic development in China on nutritional status in children: two sides of a coin

Primary malnutrition, the one caused by socioeconomic factors, is still common problem in low- and middle- income countries (LMIC). Even today, estimated world prevalence of undernutrition is 10% with the highest rate in the Eastern and Sub-Saharan Africa (30.8%, 22.8%, respectively) (1). Malnutrition is usually described as undernutrition or wasting [body weight under −2 standard deviation (SD)] or as chronic undernutrition or stunting (body height under −2 SD) (2). Surely, the most vulnerable population are children due to very high energy and protein requirements and low body reserves. Undernourishment in children has many devastating consequences including increased risk for infectious diseases and early death. While long lasting effects prevent children to reach their full physical and cognitive potential causing the impaired work capacity and quality of life in adulthood (3).