GREENSBORO, N.C. -- A new report says poverty in North Carolina leads to learning disabilities, behavior problems and other psychological and emotional problems for young people.

The News & Record of Greensboro says the report, "Child Poverty in North Carolina: A Preventable Epidemic," was being released Tuesday by the group, Action for Children North Carolina.

One in four children under age 5 in North Carolina live in poverty.

The report cites research from Harvard University that says stress experienced by poor families hurts brain development in youngsters.

Margaret Arbuckle with the Guilford Education Alliance says studying brain development shows the impact of poverty. Arbuckle says the effect can be seen in children's complex thinking and reasoning skills, impulse control and their ability to create relationships.