WASTING in children is defined by WHO using which anthropometric criterion as the primary measure?
- A Weight-for-age Z-score (WAZ) < −2 SD
- B Weight-for-height Z-score (WHZ) < −2 SD ✓
- C Height-for-age Z-score (HAZ) < −2 SD
- D Mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) < 11.5 cm in children 6–59 months
Correct answer: B. Weight-for-height Z-score (WHZ) < −2 SD
Explanation
Wasting (acute malnutrition) is defined as weight-for-height Z-score (WHZ) < −2 SD. WHZ reflects current, acute nutritional deficit. Stunting (chronic malnutrition) = height-for-age Z-score (HAZ) < −2 SD. Underweight = weight-for-age (WAZ) < −2 SD, which does not distinguish acute from chronic malnutrition. MUAC <11.5 cm is a field criterion for SEVERE acute malnutrition in children 6–59 months and correlates with mortality risk, but WHZ is the WHO-defined standard for wasting classification.
Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.
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