This indicator measures the prevalence of underweight in children under five years old, specifically focusing on those whose weight-for-age z-scores fall below -2 standard deviations from the median of the WHO Child Growth Standards. Being classified as underweight indicates a significant risk for health and developmental challenges, often linked to inadequate nutrition, disease, or poor socioeconomic conditions. This statistic not only reflects immediate nutritional deficits but also serves as a critical marker for long-term physical and cognitive development. Understanding the percentage of severely underweight children is essential for policymakers and healthcare providers to design targeted interventions aimed at improving child health and nutrition outcomes, ultimately breaking the cycle of poverty and undernutrition in vulnerable populations.
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