Experts propose new child growth metric
Are we measuring children’s growth the wrong way?
A new definition seeks to reshape how healthy development is understood from early childhood.
A child’s growth is not measured only in centimeters or kilograms, but also in the opportunities they have to develop fully. Yet this seemingly self-evident idea has, until now, lacked a clear and shared definition among parents and healthcare professionals, making it difficult to identify early issues that can shape the lives of millions of children.
That was one of the key conclusions of the 13th International Conference on Nutrition and Growth (N&G), held in Prague, where specialists from around the world reviewed the latest advances in pediatric nutrition and discussed new tools to address child malnutrition.
New growth approach.
During the meeting, Abbott presented a definition developed by an international panel of experts in pediatrics, nutrition, and growth, introducing the concept of “quality growth.”
This approach proposes a shift in how child development is understood, moving beyond traditional indicators.
The group of specialists, which included healthcare professionals from Latin American countries such as Mexico, Colombia, and Peru, defined quality growth as proportional development with appropriate body composition from childhood through adulthood.
The proposal shifts the focus away from size toward how children grow in a more holistic way.
Dr. Claudia Sánchez, Medical Director of Abbott’s nutrition business in Colombia, comments:
“We hope to provide greater clarity for both parents and healthcare professionals. Growth is not only about size. It is about children developing strong bone structure, healthy muscle mass, and experiencing steady progress in height and weight. These new recommendations can help parents detect problems early and ensure that children with growth delays receive the nutrition and care they need.”
Childhood is a stage of rapid growth, yet current assessments still rely mainly on height and weight—indicators that no longer provide a complete view of child health.
In this context, experts outlined several key changes in how growth should be assessed:
Distinguishing between quality and quantity of growth, moving beyond traditional indicators.
Evaluating height alongside body composition, rather than in isolation.
Prioritizing growth trends over time instead of single-point measurements.
Recognizing nutrition as a central factor, often underrepresented in standard indicators.
Nutrition social impact.
Evidence presented at N&G 2026 also shows that improving child nutrition has effects that go beyond children’s health and extend to families and the broader economy.
According to the data presented, adding an oral nutritional solution to nutritional counseling may:
Increase recovery from stunted growth by 10.1 percentage points
Reduce illness episodes by 13%
Decrease school absenteeism by 36%
Reduce caregiver productivity loss by 50.1%
These gains translate into lower pressure on healthcare systems, with an estimated $22.7 million reduction in healthcare costs, as well as reduced household economic impact, with $19.4 million less in lost income. In the long term, they are also associated with improved social outcomes.
Adolescence and growth.
Although early childhood is critical, experts emphasized that adolescence represents a second key window for growth intervention.
An analysis of studies involving adolescents aged 10 to 18 showed that those at nutritional risk who received an oral nutritional solution experienced improvements in weight, body mass index, and lean muscle mass, as well as a modest but significant increase in height.
These findings reinforce the need to maintain nutritional support during puberty, a stage in which growth demands increase significantly.
A persistent challenge in Latin America.
Globally, malnutrition affects one in three people. In Latin America, the issue takes the form of a double burden: undernutrition and overweight.
Across the region, millions of children continue to experience stunted growth and nutritional deficiencies, while rates of overweight and obesity are rising. This situation can affect physical and cognitive development, immune function, and long-term health outcomes.
In Colombia, the outlook remains particularly concerning. Approximately 560,000 children under five suffer from stunted growth, with a national prevalence of 12.7%, above the regional average.
In 2024, the country recorded 21,867 morbidity cases associated with malnutrition, a 7.19% increase compared to the previous year.
In this context, experts agree that redefining how child growth is measured and addressed could be a key step toward improving not only children’s health, but also family well-being and broader societal development.
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