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growth. Measurable growth retardation does not occur during a shortterm
nutritional deprivation, but frequent periods of acute food deprivaLion
or infection over a protonged period may cause a chitd to be
short for his/her age. This condition is also called 'stunting' (tripp,
1981; Robbins and Trowbridge, 1984). This effect is particurarry
noticeable during the first two years of life when growth is most rapid.
Weight-for-Àge has been used as a general indicator of nutritional
sLatus. However, Weight-for-age does not distinguish between present
and past or current malnutrition. A lor+ Weight-for-Àge value could mean
either that the child has been malnourished in the past so that his
height is retarded, but adequately nourished at present. Alternatively,
Lhe child was adequately nourished previously but is currently malnourished
(rrípp, 1981). i.ieight-for-Àge is sensitive to both current and
long-term malnutrition. Weight-for-Àge is particularly useful in regard
to infants under one year of age when length measurements cannot be
performed accurately (Robbins and Trowbridge, 1984).
6
In order to interpret anthropometric data involving
I.leight-for-height, heighÈ-for-age, and I,teight-for-age, the weight and
height values need to be expressed both in relation to each other and Èo
reference population values. Thus, height-for-age is the relationship
of observed height to expected height for a specific age and sex;
weigh!-for-height is the relationship of observed weight to expected
weight for a specific height and sex; and weight-for-age is the relationship
of observed weight to expected weight for a specific age and
sex (trowbridge and Robbins, 1984) A weight-for-height proportion of
less than the 5th percentile for a given population indicates that the