Severe acute malnutrition in childhood, chronic diseases, and human capital in adulthood in the Democratic Republic of Congo: the Lwiro Cohort Study.

SAM during childhood was associated with a high risk of NCDs and lower human capital in adulthood. Thus, policymakers and funders seeking to fight the global spread of NCDs in adults in low-resource settings should consider the long-term benefit of reducing childhood SAM as a preventive measure to reduce the socioeconomic burden attributable to NCDs.