Energy balance

Nutritional stunting (chronic early-life undernutrition) causes long-term physiological adaptations—including lower resting energy expenditure, reduced fat oxidation, and impaired food intake regulation—that increase susceptibility to obesity when caloric intake increases.

If you were stunted as a child, your body may be biologically programmed to store fat more efficiently and burn less energy than someone who was well-nourished. Standard 'eat less, move more' advice may be less effective because your metabolic rate and fat oxidation are lower. Focus on nutrient-dense foods and strength training to preserve muscle mass, rather than severe caloric restriction, which your body may resist more strongly.