How an adult recognizes, thinks about and reacts, both mentally and physically, to situations is primarily fashioned by the degree of childhood development of cognitive and motor capacity. Such development is seriously affected by undernutrition, both of energy and nutrients. Studies from developing countries and developed countries as well have shown that treating undernutrition during early stages of life can enhance motor and mental development. Such treatment would also reduce the differences in cognitive development due to high and low socio-economic class. There is evidence that children who suffer from nutritional deficiencies and infections perform badly in aptitude tests.
Undernourished children adopt behavioural patterns to conserve energy.
These leave an imprint on the capacity to work in adulthood. Reduced physical activity is a first natural response to low energy intake. Inactive children with retarded growth do not make productive adults. The price that undernourished children will have to pay is low productivity and low earning ability as adults. Almost always, this price is paid.