Childhood stunting is a major global health issue, reflecting social inequalities and serving as a key indicator of children's well-being. It is the most common form of child malnutrition, with an estimated 161 million children under five affected globally in 2013. Stunting is defined as a child's length or height being below -2 standard deviations from the WHO Child Growth Standards median for their age and sex. It often begins in utero and continues for at least the first two years of life, with severe and irreversible physical and neurocognitive consequences. Stunting is a critical global health priority, with a target to reduce the number of stunted children by 40% by 2025. Stunting is influenced by a complex interplay of household, environmental, socioeconomic, and cultural factors. It has significant short- and long-term health and developmental consequences, including poor cognitive and educational outcomes, reduced adult earnings, and increased risk of chronic diseases. Stunting is also linked to intergenerational effects, where stunted children are more likely to have stunted offspring, perpetuating cycles of poverty and poor health. Global efforts to combat stunting include the WHO's 2025 target, which requires a 3.9% annual reduction in stunted children. Achieving this target requires multisectoral approaches, including improvements in food and nutrition security, education, water, sanitation, and hygiene, as well as health and poverty reduction. The WHO Child Growth Standards have been instrumental in defining and measuring stunting, and their adoption has improved the accuracy of growth assessments worldwide. Despite progress, stunting remains a significant challenge, with high prevalence in many regions, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and South-Central Asia. Stunting is often unrecognized in communities where short stature is common, and growth assessments are not routinely conducted. Effective interventions require early identification and prevention, as well as addressing the underlying causes of malnutrition and poor growth. The challenge is to prevent linear growth failure while also addressing childhood overweight and obesity.Childhood stunting is a major global health issue, reflecting social inequalities and serving as a key indicator of children's well-being. It is the most common form of child malnutrition, with an estimated 161 million children under five affected globally in 2013. Stunting is defined as a child's length or height being below -2 standard deviations from the WHO Child Growth Standards median for their age and sex. It often begins in utero and continues for at least the first two years of life, with severe and irreversible physical and neurocognitive consequences. Stunting is a critical global health priority, with a target to reduce the number of stunted children by 40% by 2025. Stunting is influenced by a complex interplay of household, environmental, socioeconomic, and cultural factors. It has significant short- and long-term health and developmental consequences, including poor cognitive and educational outcomes, reduced adult earnings, and increased risk of chronic diseases. Stunting is also linked to intergenerational effects, where stunted children are more likely to have stunted offspring, perpetuating cycles of poverty and poor health. Global efforts to combat stunting include the WHO's 2025 target, which requires a 3.9% annual reduction in stunted children. Achieving this target requires multisectoral approaches, including improvements in food and nutrition security, education, water, sanitation, and hygiene, as well as health and poverty reduction. The WHO Child Growth Standards have been instrumental in defining and measuring stunting, and their adoption has improved the accuracy of growth assessments worldwide. Despite progress, stunting remains a significant challenge, with high prevalence in many regions, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and South-Central Asia. Stunting is often unrecognized in communities where short stature is common, and growth assessments are not routinely conducted. Effective interventions require early identification and prevention, as well as addressing the underlying causes of malnutrition and poor growth. The challenge is to prevent linear growth failure while also addressing childhood overweight and obesity.