This indicator highlights the proportion of children under the age of five who are classified as experiencing acute malnutrition due to wasting, signifying a critical public health concern. It specifically focuses on those falling below -2 standard deviations from the median weight-for-height ratio established by the WHO Child Growth Standards, an important measure reflecting recent nutritional deficiencies. Wasting is particularly concerning as it denotes a child's inability to maintain a healthy body weight relative to height, often stemming from inadequate food intake, illness, or both. Monitoring this percentage over time can reveal underlying issues related to food security, health care access, and socio-economic conditions, thus serving as an essential tool for intervention strategies aimed at improving child health and nutritional outcomes.
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