Community Medicine (PSM) · Nutrition (Macro/Micronutrients, RDA, PEM, Nutritional Programmes)

In a district nutrition survey using WHO Child Growth Standards, a child is classified as having height-for-age Z-score of minus 2.6. This finding indicates:

  • A Stunting
  • B Wasting
  • C Underweight
  • D Overweight
Correct answer: A. Stunting

Explanation

Stunting is low height-for-age, defined as height-for-age Z-score below minus 2 SD, and reflects chronic malnutrition. Wasting is low weight-for-height Z-score below minus 2 SD and indicates acute malnutrition. Underweight combines both dimensions using weight-for-age below minus 2 SD. Because the given index is height-for-age, the only defensible answer is stunting; the same Z-score value applied to weight-for-height would have meant wasting.

Reference: WHO Child Growth Standards and Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.

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