The Global Acute Malnutrition (GAM) rate in a refugee camp survey is found to be 16% by weight-for-height Z-score criteria. According to WHO classification, this represents:
- A Critical/emergency nutrition situation (GAM ≥ 15%) ✓
- B Acceptable nutrition situation (GAM < 5%)
- C Poor nutrition situation (GAM 5-9.9%)
- D Serious nutrition situation (GAM 10-14.9%)
Correct answer: A. Critical/emergency nutrition situation (GAM ≥ 15%)
Explanation
WHO/UNHCR classification of GAM by weight-for-height <-2 SD: < 5% = Acceptable; 5-9.9% = Poor (alert); 10-14.9% = Serious (action required); ≥ 15% = Critical/Emergency (humanitarian crisis response). A GAM of 16% exceeds the 15% threshold indicating a nutrition emergency requiring immediate large-scale intervention. GAM combines moderate acute malnutrition (WHZ -3 to -2 SD) and severe acute malnutrition (WHZ < -3 SD or bilateral pitting oedema). These thresholds guide WHO humanitarian response activation.
Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.