Low height-for-age is not synonymous with undernutrition
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32776/revbiomed.v37.i2.1383Keywords:
nutrition, low height, malnutrition, community nutritionAbstract
Low height-for-age and undernutrition are terms often used in nutritional and growth assessment. While these conditions describe different situations, in the academia are commonly used as synonymous. Low height-for-age or growth retardation referers to the presence of a stature below to what is expected for age and sex based on a growth reference or standard. Undernutrition describe a patological condition characterized by a decrease in the energetic and nutritional reserves in the body with relevant implications for health status. Genetic variability in populations and plasticity produce variability in growth measures. Therefore, short staure during the growth process not necesarily mirrors undernutrition. The use of these terms as synonymous have relevant implications in the description of health status of populations and also for feedback purposes with children's parents. Strategies to improve health status in vulnerable populations requiere the appropiate use of available terms.
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