Table 3.

Possible negative consequences of undernutrition during adolescence (From Ref. 50, modified).

Potentially may: Retard physical growth, Reduce intellectual capacity, Delay sexual maturation, Increase risk to infections, Lead to iron deficiency and anemia, Lead to osteomalacia and osteopenia and increased risk for osteoporosis later in life, Decrease concentration, learning and school performance in school-going adolescents, AN may cause amenorrhea, infertility and, in those who do conceive, an increased likelihood of miscarriage.