Explain the effects of stunted growth.

Children who enter middle childhood with stunted growth and nutritional deficits often do not catch up. Instead, stunting often continues and worsens in middle childhood, especially if children remain in the same environments that caused malnourishment. For example, growth stunting in children in sub-Saharan Africa tends to persist and worsen throughout the school years. Children who enter middle childhood with stunted growth are likely to experience a variety of problems including cognitive deficits, aggression, behavior problems, and a greater risk of chronic illnesses and other health problems.