Question:easy
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:
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:
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Recall which anthropometric index reflects long-term versus short-term nutritional status in children.
Updated On: Jun 23, 2026
- Chronic malnutrition
- Acute malnutrition
- Recent malnutrition
- No malnutrition
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The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
Key concept: Anthropometric indices in child nutrition assessment:
In this question, height-for-age $<$ -2 SD = stunting = evidence of prolonged, chronic undernutrition over months to years. This is distinct from wasting (acute or recent deficiency).
The anganwadi teacher's finding of low height-for-age therefore points to chronic malnutrition.
\[\boxed{\text{Chronic malnutrition}}\]
- Height-for-age: Reflects linear growth; reduced values indicate stunting, a marker of chronic (long-term) malnutrition
- Weight-for-height: Reflects body mass relative to height; reduced values indicate wasting, a marker of acute malnutrition
- Weight-for-age: Composite indicator reflecting both acute and chronic malnutrition
In this question, height-for-age $<$ -2 SD = stunting = evidence of prolonged, chronic undernutrition over months to years. This is distinct from wasting (acute or recent deficiency).
The anganwadi teacher's finding of low height-for-age therefore points to chronic malnutrition.
\[\boxed{\text{Chronic malnutrition}}\]
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