"[One] reason for optimism in the heightened status of nutrition as a developmental factor is the recognition that supplementation can buffer some of the detrimental outcomes associated with poverty and related environmental factors. Good nutrition contributes to the development of complex mental abilities and is associated with better developmental outcomes. For this reason it is very important to ensure adequate dietary intake even when there is less ability to improve other social and environmental conditions of children."
—"The Relationship Between Undernutrition and Behavioral
Development in Children," report of the
International Dietary Energy
Consultative Group, 1995