This indicator reflects the proportion of children under five years of age identified as underweight, based on their weight-for-age z-scores relative to the WHO Child Growth Standards. Specifically, it focuses on those children whose weight measurements fall below two standard deviations (-2 SD) from the median, highlighting a critical area of concern in child nutrition and health. Underweight status not only signals inadequate dietary intake but also often correlates with broader issues such as poor growth, increased susceptibility to illness, and long-term developmental challenges. By tracking this percentage, stakeholders can better understand malnutrition trends over time and strategically allocate resources to improve health outcomes for vulnerable populations.
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