Prevalence of Stunting and Relationship between Stunting and Associated Risk Factors with Academic Achievement and Cognitive Function: A Cross-Sectional Study with South African Primary School Children

Childhood stunting can have negative long-term consequences on cognitive development, academic achievement, and economic productivity later in life. We determined the prevalence of examined whether associated risk factors (low dietary diversity, insufficient hemoglobin, food insecurity, soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections) are with achievement function among South African children living marginalized communities. A cross-sectional sample 1277 (aged 5–12 years) was analyzed. Stunting defined according to 2007 WHO growth references. Cognitive functioning measured computerized Flanker task performance via school grades. Blood stool samples were collected obtain hemoglobin level STH infection. Dietary diversity assessed by a frequency questionnaire. Associations mixed linear regression (with class as random intercept). Nine percent stunted (95% CI: 7.6–10.8%). Low (β = 0.13, p 0.004), insecurity −0.12, 0.034), −0.13, 0.031) poorer end year results girls. No such associations found boys. significant for socioeconomic status levels. The infections low present sample. Risk seem differently girls’ boys’ achievement. Promoting nutrition may help promote girls low- middle-income countries.