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Pre-knowledge assessment
Select a correct statement.
1. What is malnutrition?
a) The term "malnutrition" means "badly nourished" and is used to
describe only undernutrition.
b) Malnutrition is the result of prolonged episodes of inadequate
nutrition, which leads to wasting.
c) All malnourished children have a low weight for their age.
d) Malnutrition means “badly nourished” and refers to being underweight
or overweight.
Feedback
The correct answer is d). Malnutrition means 'badly nourished' and can be used to describe both overnutrition and undernutrition,
but usually it is used to describe undernutrition. It is the result
of a relatively short period of inadequate nutrition (acute malnutrition)
or prolonged episodes of inadequate nutrition (chronic malnutrition)
and/or infections. Most, but not all, malnourished children have
a low weight-for-age. Some have low height-for-age (stunting) and/or
low weight-for-height (wasting).
