Causes Of Growth Failure: Low Amino Acid Diet Might Hinder Child's Growth, According To Research

Many parents wonder what causes stunted growth in children. A new research might shed new light on the causes of growth failure in kids.

Medical News Today reports that researchers from the Washington University School of Medicine, John Hopkins University in Baltimore, National Institute of Aging of the National Institutes of Health and the University of Malawi found that children with low amino acid diet and low choline diet are more likely to experience stunted growth. The research is vital in promoting better nutrition for millions of children all over the world.

One of the most obvious symptoms of growth failure or stunted growth is short stature. Other less obvious symptoms are cognitive problems, weakened immune system and a shorter lifespan. There are approximately 150 million malnourished children in the world today with about 37.5 million of them with growth failure.

"Stunting affects half of the children in rural Africa and millions more elsewhere in the world," Dr. Mark J. Manary, from John Hopkins University, told MNT. "This challenges the widespread assumption that children are getting enough protein in developing countries," added Dr. Richard Semba of John Hopkins University. "We have to really think about trying to improve the diet. Children are not getting quality food."

Because one of the causes of growth failure could be low amino acid diet, parents need to incorporate more amino acid-rich foods in their kids' diet. Some of the best sources of essential amino acids are lean meat, poultry, fish, shellfish, eggs, pinto, kidney, black beans, lentils, tofu, tempeh, sunflower seeds, walnuts, peanut butter and cheese, according to Complete Nutrition.

Some of the health benefits of amino acids include stronger muscles, faster tissue repair, improvement of the immune system, increase in the body's antioxidant activity, prevention of excess fats and promotion of a stronger nervous system.