Bundy, D.A.P.de Silva, N.Horton, S.Patton, G.C.Schultz, L.Jamison, D.T.Disease Control Priorities-3 Child and Adolescent Health and Development Authors Group2017-11-292017-11-292018Lancet. 2018; 391(10121):687-6990140-6736 (Print)1474-547X (Electronic)0140-6736 (Linking)http://repository.kln.ac.lk/handle/123456789/18311Indexed In MEDLINEThe realisation of human potential for development requires age-specific investment throughout the 8000 days of childhood and adolescence. Focus on the first 1000 days is an essential but insufficient investment. Intervention is also required in three later phases: the middle childhood growth and consolidation phase (5-9 years), when infection and malnutrition constrain growth, and mortality is higher than previously recognised; the adolescent growth spurt (10-14 years), when substantial changes place commensurate demands on good diet and health; and the adolescent phase of growth and consolidation (15-19 years), when new responses are needed to support brain maturation, intense social engagement, and emotional control. Two cost-efficient packages, one delivered through schools and one focusing on later adolescence, would provide phase-specific support across the life cycle, securing the gains of investment in the first 1000 days, enabling substantial catch-up from early growth failure, and leveraging improved learning from concomitant education investments.en-USAdolescent healthArticle