Moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) in infants 0-5 months

Prevalence rate (%) of moderate acute malnutrition in infants less than 6 months of age based on weight-for-height z-score less than -2 and equal or greater than -3 standard deviations of the median of the standard population (WHO 2006)

Unit Description

Percentage

Numerator

Number of infants less than 6 months that meet the criteria for moderate acute malnutrition

Denominator

Total number of children less than 6 months surveyed

Disaggregation

Geographical area, sex

Indicator used for response monitoring ?

Yes

Types

Baseline

Outcome

Threshold / Standard

No standard WHO thresholds; this indicator cut-off should be interpreted in consideration of other indicators including morbidity, mortality and proportion of GAM

General guidance

Should be based on a methodologically solid anthropometric nutrition survey finding and include Confidence Intervals

Guidance on phases

preparatory; Phase III and IV

Phase applicability

Pre-crisis/Baseline

Phase 3

Phase 4

Guidance for pre-crisis/baseline

Prevalence easy to derive by subtracting Proportion of SAM from Proportion of GAM

Data Sources

Population-based surveys with representative sampling methods (MICS, DHS, SMART)

Comments

Note that WFH and MUAC do not measure the same things and are not comparable. Data on the moderate acute malnutrition rate should be compared by sex in order to identify any specific discrimination baby girls or baby boys might face in accessing nutrition. In case there is an important difference between the percentage of infant girls and the percentage of infant boys suffering from malnutrition, the programme should address these gaps by undertaking a gender analysis of the specific challenges the disadvantaged group is facing, including an analysis of the socio cultural habits and beliefs on breastfeeding that might differently impact on baby girls' and baby boys' nutritional well being.