The underweight prevalence among boys under five years is a critical indicator of nutritional health and development, reflecting the percentage of this demographic whose weight falls more than two standard deviations below the median established by the WHO's 2006 Child Growth Standards. This metric not only serves as a benchmark for assessing the impact of malnutrition but also highlights broader socioeconomic and healthcare disparities. An elevated prevalence can point to underlying issues such as food insecurity, inadequate maternal health, and insufficient access to healthcare services. Monitoring this indicator is essential for designing effective intervention strategies and fostering improvements in child health outcomes, ultimately contributing to the achievement of global health initiatives and sustainable development goals.
Source: