Hinke Haisma

Author notes These authors contributed equally: John R. Speakman, Jasper M. A. de Jong, Srishti Sinha, Klaas R. Westerterp. Deceased: Jacob Plange-Rhule. Authors and Affiliations Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Metabolic Health, Center for Energy Metabolism and Reproduction, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China John R. Speakman, Sumei Hu & Xueying Zhang Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK John R.

Stunting affects large numbers of under‐fives in Tanzania. But do caretakers of under‐fives recognize height as a marker of child growth? What meanings do they attach to linear growth? An ethnographic study using cultural schemas theory was conducted in a rural community in Southeastern Tanzania to investigate caregivers' conceptualizations of child height in relation to growth and the meanings attached to short stature.

Child malnutrition is an important cause of under‐5 mortality and morbidity around the globe. Despite the partial success of (inter)national efforts to reduce child mortality, under‐5 mortality rates continue to be high. The multidimensional approaches of the Sustainable Development Goals may suggest new directions for rethinking strategies for reducing child mortality and malnutrition. We propose a theoretical framework for developing a “capability” approach to child growth.