An evolving perspective about the origins of childhood undernutrition and nutritional interventions that includes the gut microbiome

Tahmeed Ahmed, David Auble, James A. Berkley, Robert Black, Philip P. Ahern, Muttaquina Hossain, Andrea Hsieh, Santhia Ireen, Mandana Arabi, Jeffrey I. Gordon

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

33 Scopus citations

Abstract

The Sackler Institute for Nutrition Science and the World Health Organization (WHO) have worked together to formulate a research agenda for nutrition science. Undernutrition of children has profound effects on health, development, and achievement of full human capacity. Undernutrition is not simply caused by a lack of food, but results from a complex interplay of intra- and intergenerational factors. Representative preclinical models and comprehensive well-controlled longitudinal clinical studies are needed to further understand the contributions and the interrelationships among these factors and to develop interventions that are effective and durable. This paper summarizes work on mechanisms underlying the varied manifestations of childhood undernutrition and discusses current gaps in knowledge and challenges to our understanding of undernutrition and infection/immunity throughout the human life cycle, focusing on early childhood growth. It proposes a series of basic and clinical studies to address this global health challenge.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)22-38
Number of pages17
JournalAnnals of the New York Academy of Sciences
Volume1332
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 1 2014

Keywords

  • Environmental enteropathy
  • Epigenetics
  • Gnotobiotic mice
  • Gut microbiota, nutrient-immune system interactions, gut barrier function
  • Neurodevelopment and brain metabolism
  • Stunting
  • Undernutrition

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Neuroscience
  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
  • History and Philosophy of Science

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