This indicator reflects the alarming percentage of boys under five years old who are classified as severely wasted, a condition determined by their weight-for-height measurements falling more than three standard deviations below the median of an internationally recognized reference population for children aged 0 to 59 months. Severe wasting is a
critical sign of acute malnutrition and a significant public health concern, often linked to inadequate dietary intake, illness, and unsanitary living conditions. Monitoring this condition not only highlights the immediate nutritional status of children but also serves as an essential marker for broader socio-economic issues, underscoring the need for targeted interventions and resources to improve child health outcomes and support community resilience against food insecurity and health disparities.
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