Malnutrition is one of the major problems in developing countries, in particular among the poorest and most vulnerable segments of the population. Malnutrition is caused by a combination of factors including inadequate food intake and infection that affects the body’s ability to absorb food. It is an important cause of low birth weight, brain damage and other birth defects, and contributes to developmental (physical and cognitive) retardation, increased risk of infection and death.

Nutrition status of children in a DSS is measured using an Anthropometric Status Form

While measuring weight, shoes of children should be taken off. For children whose age is less than two years, it is recommended to measure their height in a prone position and those over two years while standing. The best approach to determine nutrition status is to assess it on the basis of Anthropometric Indicators. These are, stunting (H/A), wasting (W/H), underweight (W/A) as well as mid-up arm circumference (MUAC) in children under five years of age and Body Mass Index (BMI) in adults.