Which of the following is identified as a cause of intellectual disability related to poverty or deprivation?

• A. Inadequate nutrition
• B. Excessive education
• C. Genetic mutation
• D. Overdiagnosis

Answer: (A)

When poverty or deprivation affects a child, inadequate nutrition during critical periods of development can impact brain growth and function. Proper nutrition provides the energy and micronutrients the developing brain needs; lacking these nutrients—such as iodine or iron—can lead to slower cognitive development and lower intellectual functioning. In regions or families facing food insecurity, this nutritional gap is a well-recognized factor linked to intellectual disability, making it the most plausible poverty-related cause among the options.

Excessive education isn’t a cause of intellectual disability and doesn’t align with how brain development works. A genetic mutation is a biological factor that can cause intellectual disability but is not specifically tied to poverty or deprivation. Overdiagnosis refers to labeling rather than a true cause of disability.