**6. Measurement of malnutrition**

*Underweight* is defined as weight that is 2 standard deviations below the WHO child growth standards for that particular age. In other words, child is underweight if Z-scores of child for a given weight for age is less than 2 SD from the median of the WHO/NCHS Child Growth Standards or References.

*Wasting* is defined as loss of body weight with reference to height. In other words, child is having wasting if Z-scores of child for a given weight for height is less than 2 SD from the median of the WHO/NCHS Child Growth Standards or References.

Wasting is also known as 'acute malnutrition' and is characterized by a rapid deterioration in nutritional status over a short period of time in children under 5 years of age. In children, it can be measured using the weight-for-height nutritional index or mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC). There are different levels of severity of acute malnutrition: moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) and severe acute malnutrition (SAM).

*Stunting* is defined as a height that is more than 2 standard deviations below the WHO child growth standards median. In other words, child is stunted if Z-scores of child for a given height for age is less than 2 SD from the median of the WHO/ NCHS Child Growth Standards or References.

Stunting is also known as 'chronic undernutrition', although this is only one of its causes. Stunting is often associated with cognitive impairments such as delayed motor development, impaired brain function and poor school performance, as it often causes these negative impacts.
