Question

An anganwadi teacher takes weight and height of a 4 year old and finds out that height-for-age is < -2 SD. The likely cause is:

• A. Chronic malnutrition
• B. Acute malnutrition
• C. Recent malnutrition
• D. No malnutrition

Hint:

Recall which anthropometric index reflects long-term versus short-term nutritional status in children.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understand what height-for-age measures. Height-for-age (or length-for-age) is an anthropometric indicator that reflects linear growth. It measures how a child's height compares to the reference population of the same age and sex.

Step 2: Interpret height-for-age < -2 SD. A height-for-age below -2 SD is defined as stunting by WHO. Stunting is a sign of chronic malnutrition -- it reflects long-standing inadequate nutrition over a prolonged period, unlike wasting which is acute.

Step 3: Differentiate from wasting. Wasting (weight-for-height < -2 SD) represents acute malnutrition or recent nutritional deficit. Stunting, in contrast, develops over months to years due to sustained nutritional deprivation.

Step 4: WHO classification summary. Moderately stunted = length/height-for-age < -2 SD and >= -3 SD. This reflects chronic (long-term) undernutrition causing growth failure in height.

Conclusion: The correct answer is Option A -- Chronic malnutrition.