A recent study conducted by the University of Michigan has found that increasing weight in children with undernutrition during their first decade of life can result in significantly taller adults. This growth does not pose an increased risk of obesity or high blood pressure later in life, according to the research published in JAMA Network Open.

The study, led by Beverly Strassmann, a U-M professor of anthropology, highlights the importance of childhood nutrition in shaping long-term health and development, especially in undernourished environments. The findings challenge previous beliefs that weight gain in childhood could lead to health issues in adulthood.

The research team followed 1,348 participants in central Mali for 21 years, tracking the impact of weight gain between ages 1 and 10 on adult stature. The results showed a positive association between childhood weight gain and adult height, with minimal risks of obesity and high blood pressure.

Strassmann emphasized the significance of the study in undernourished settings, where interventions beyond the first 1,000 days of life can still support healthy growth. The findings suggest that promoting weight gain in children after age 2 can lead to taller adults without increasing the risk of obesity or hypertension.

This research challenges the common belief that nutritional interventions should cease after age 2 and underscores the importance of addressing undernutrition throughout childhood for optimal health outcomes.