Definition and measurement of child malnutrition

Child Malnutrition has been defined or described in many ways. To summarize the common points, child malnutrition may be defined as a pathological state resulting from inadequate nutrition, including undernutrition (protein-energy malnutrition) due to insufficient intake of energy and other nutrients; overnutrition (overweight and obesity) due to excessive consumption of energy and other nutrients; deficiency diseases due to insufficient intake of one or more specific nutrients such as vitamins or minerals. In the assessment of child malnutrition, a large number of measures are available. Among these measuring methods, Z-score, growth charts, weight-for-length index ( WLI), height standard weight, body mass index, skin fold thickness and clinical grading diagnosis standard for child malnutrition are selected for discussion. The same set of anthropometry data of a group of preschool children was analyzed by using different methods. The results showed that it was very difficult to determine the nutritional state of children using a single index. For a given group of children, Z-score method is recommended to observe their height, weight and weight for height at the same time in order to have a comprehensive understanding.