New research has found a link between infant height and reduced cognitive ability arising from brain function, as early as six months of age.
The research has been led by Professor John Spencer at University of East Anglia in collaboration with Assistant Professor Samuel Forbes from our top-rated Psychology Department, as well as the University of Nottingham, the Community Empowerment Lab, University of Iowa, Rhode Island Hospital, Brown University, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Visual working memory
As part of the study, the research team compared the 'visual working memory', the memory capacity that holds visual cues for processing, in children who had stunted growth with those having typical growth.
The study found that the visual working memory of infants with so-called stunted physical growth was disrupted, making them more easily distracted and setting the stage for poorer cognitive ability one year later.
Stunted growth and cognitive outcomes
Stunted growth has previously been linked with poor cognitive outcomes later in life, but this research is the first time that its association has been found in infancy. It is also the first time stunted growth has been linked to functional differences in how the brain works in early development.
The discovery suggests efforts to improve working memory and tackle distractibility in children during their crucial early months may reduce or prevent cognitive disadvantages later in life.
This publication is based on research funded in part by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The findings and conclusions contained within are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect positions or policies of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
