Co-Occurrence of Stunting and Off-Track Early Child Development in Low- and Middle-Income Countries.

ABSTRACT:

Importance

Although children across low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are increasingly surviving, many are not fully thriving. Both stunting and off-track early child development (ECD) hinder children's potential to thrive.

Objectives

To estimate the global prevalence of the co-occurrence of stunting and off-track ECD and explore its association with nurturing care and sociodemographic factors.

Design, setting, and participants

This cross-sectional study pooled data from the most recent Demographic and Health Surveys and Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (2010-2020) on 173 416 children aged 36-59 months in 41 LMICs. Statistical analysis was conducted from February to December 2024.

Exposure

Risk factors pertaining to inadequate nurturing care, low socio

SUBMITTER: Jeong J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11880945 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature