Final answer:
Early termination of infant breastfeeding in developing countries is strongly associated with wasting and stunting due to the lack of essential nutrients and immune system support that breastfeeding provides to growing infants.
Step-by-step explanation:
Early termination of infant breastfeeding in developing countries is strongly associated with wasting and stunting. This is due to the fact that breastfeeding provides crucial nutrients necessary for an infant's growth and development. When breastfeeding ends prematurely, children may not receive adequate nutrition, which can lead to them becoming dangerously thin (wasting) or stop growing so they are too short for their age (stunting). Growth deficits may begin in utero due to maternal undernutrition, hence breastfeeding can be a key component in combating the effects of low birthweight. Undernutrition in children, especially from poor families or in famine-stricken areas, can result in severe health conditions such as kwashiorkor or marasmus, where the latter is characterized by severe wasting of subcutaneous fat and muscles, often occurring if a child is severely malnourished and fed an inadequate diet low in both protein and calories. Breastfeeding not only provides essential nutrients but also helps in developing the immune system. Ending breastfeeding early can compromise the development of a strong immune system, further posing health risks to the child.