Glossary

Body Mass Index (BMI):  An index of weight-for-height used to classify adult malnutrition, calculated by dividing a person’s weight in kilograms by their height in meters squared. 

Severe Underweight – BMI <16 kg/m2
Underweight – BMI <18.5 kg/m­2  
Normal – BMI 18.5 to 24.5 kg/m­2  
Overweight – BMI >25kg/m2
Obese – BMI >30kg/m2

Obese 1: BMI 30 to 34.99 kg/m­2       
Obese 2: BMI 35 to 39.99 kg/m­2  
Obese 3: BMI >40 kg/m­2  

Edema:  A swelling caused by an accumulation of fluid in the body’s tissues (i.e. water retention), usually occurring in the feet and legs.  Edema is clinical indicator of severe malnutrition in children. 

Low birth weight (LBW):  A weight of less than 2500g at birth, irrespective of gestational age. 

Mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC):  The circumference of the left upper arm, measured at the midpoint between the shoulder and elbow.      

Stunting:  Height-for-age below 2 standard deviations from the National Center for Health Statistics/WHO reference median value.

Underweight:  Weight-for-age below 2 standard deviations from the National Center for Health Statistics/WHO reference median value.

Wasting:  Weight-for-height below 2 standard deviations from the National Center for Health Statistics/WHO reference median value.