Final answer:
The statement that inadequate dietary protein leads to fewer brain cells in infants and toddlers is false. While protein deficiency can cause serious health and developmental problems, it does not directly result in a reduced number of brain cells but can affect the overall brain function and development.
Step-by-step explanation:
False. It is a common misconception that inadequate dietary protein leads to a reduction in the number of brain cells. Instead, the consequences are linked to undernutrition, which can impede the overall growth and development of an infant or toddler, including the development of the brain.
Children suffering from conditions like kwashiorkor, a severe form of malnutrition caused by protein deficiency, experience a range of health issues that do not directly correlate with fewer brain cells. These issues include edema (swelling), skin problems, weakened muscles, developmental delays, and potentially irreversible cognitive deficits if the brain does not develop properly. This condition underlines the importance of having a diet sufficient in amino acids for cellular growth and division, especially during the critical growth periods like infancy and adolescence.
While kwashiorkor can have profound effects on brain development due to inadequate protein leading to protein calorie malnutrition, the number of brain cells is not diminished in a direct manner. Rather, the neurons may not receive input properly or synthesize proteins effectively, impacting brain function and development. Providing adequate nutrition during the early years is crucial to ensure proper growth, including that of the brain.