This indicator highlights the percentage of children under five years old suffering from wasting, a severe form of malnutrition characterized by low weight-for-height. It utilizes the World Health Organization's Child Growth Standards, specifically focusing on children whose height and weight measurements fall below two standard deviations (-2 SD) from the median. The indicator captures not only those who are acutely malnourished but also includes a broader view by accounting for those severely malnourished, whose z-scores are below minus three standard deviations (-3 SD). Monitoring this percentage is crucial for assessing the health and nutritional challenges faced by vulnerable populations, guiding public health interventions, and evaluating progress towards reducing child malnutrition.
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