95 Kalhan SC, Prentice AM, Yajnik CS (eds): Emerging Societies – Coexistence of Childhood Malnutrition and Obesity. Nestlé Nutr Inst Workshop Ser Pediatr Program, vol 63, pp 95–108, Nestec Ltd., Vevey/S. Karger AG, Basel, © 2009. Malnutrition, Long-Term Health and the Effect of Nutritional Recovery Ana Lydia Sawaya, Paula Andrea Martins, Vinicius José Baccin Martins, Telma Toledo Florêncio, Daniel Hoffman, Maria do Carmo P. Franco, Janaína das Neves Department of Physiology, Section Physiology of Nutrition, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil Abstract It is estimated that over 51 million people in Brazil live in slums, areas where a high prevalence of malnutrition is also found. In general, the population of ‘slum dwell- ers’ is growing at a faster rate than urban populations. This condition is associated with poor sanitation, unhealthy food habits, low birthweight, and stunting. Stunting is of particular concern as longitudinal and cross-sectional studies of stunted ado- lescents have shown a high susceptibility to gain central fat, lower fat oxidation, and lower resting and postprandial energy expenditure. In addition, higher blood pressure, higher plasma uric acid and impaired flow-mediated vascular dilation were all associ- ated with a higher level of hypertension in low birthweight and stunted children. In particular, stunted boys and girls also showed lower insulin production by pancreatic  cells. All these factors are linked with a higher risk of chronic diseases later in life. Among stunted adults, alterations in plasma lipids, glucose and insulin have also been reported. However, adequate nutritional recovery with linear catch-up growth, after treatment in nutritional rehabilitation centers, can moderate the alterations in body composition, bone density and insulin production. Copyright © 2009 Nestec Ltd., Vevey/S. Karger AG, Basel Health, Nutrition and Life Conditions It has become clear that, for a real understanding of diseases and their etiology, the influence of the anthropological aspects, the psychological dyna- mism and the social context on the regulation of body metabolism must be considered. A reasonable amount of scientific findings offer ever more exam- ples of an integrated approach to studying medical problems, such as studies