Lower intakes of protein, carbohydrate, and energy are associated with increased global DNA methylation in 2- to 3-year-old urban slum children in Bangladesh.

Stunting in children is a global public health concern. We investigated how global DNA methylation relates to food intakes, dietary diversity, and development of stunting among 324 children aged 24-36 months in a slum community in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Stunted children (height-for-age z score ˂-2; n = 162) and their age- and sex-matched nonstunted counterparts (height-for-age z score ˃-1; n = 162) were selected by active community surveillance.