A Note on the Mathematics of “Catch-up” Growth

Abstract

Extract: The concept of “catch-up” growth is presented in terms of growth velocity. Mathematically speaking, size function is the integral of velocity function, regardless of the form of the function. The process of “catch-up” growth will be complete only when the integrated velocity excess during recovery matches the previous velocity deficit.

Speculation: An appreciation of the importance of growth velocity, i.e., change in body size with respect to time (dS/dt), may help in understanding the magnitude of the processes involved in recovery from undernutrition, and perhaps overnutrition as well.

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