You have learnt in Module 1 Unit 2 that the visible changes associated with malnutrition are appetite, mood and appearance.

Appetite is an essential consideration when deciding if a child with SAM can be treated in the community, as a child with a poor appetite is unlikely to eat at home the amount of food needed for recovery. A poor appetite is regarded as a ‘complication’ and may be due to an infection or a nutrient imbalance or other abnormality within the body. A child with a poor appetite must be admitted into an inpatient facility.

If a child is being considered for treatment in the community, appetite is assessed by offering the child Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF). If the child passes the appetite test and has no other complications then the child can be considered for rehabilitation at home in the community.

Click next and try the steps for assessing appetite with Sheema, who is 2 years old.