Definition & calculation
Numerator: Number of children aged 6-59 months with weight-for-height z-score < -2 and/or bilateral pitting oedema in the surveyed sample
Denominator: Total number of children aged 6-59 months measured in the representative survey sample
Measure weight-for-height and check for oedema in a probability sample of children 6-59 months, then estimate the proportion classified as acutely malnourished using WHO Child Growth Standards.
Formula: (Numerator ÷ Denominator) × 100
Means of verification
SMART nutrition survey or equivalent population-representative anthropometric survey
Interpretation
Typical reporting frequency: Baseline and endline (or periodic evaluation)
Guidance & common pitfalls
A population-level status indicator best measured through a representative survey (e.g. SMART), not programme records; attribution to a single project is weak, so use it to describe context/impact severity alongside IPC acute malnutrition classification rather than as a direct project output.
This library is a curated reference to adapt, aligned generically with recognised humanitarian frameworks (Sphere, cluster registries, IASC, CHS and others). It is not an official indicator registry — always use the exact indicator definitions your donor or cluster requires.
Related indicators
- % of caregivers of children in the treatment programme who report satisfaction with the nutrition services received
- % of caregivers of children under 2 who can correctly state at least two recommended IYCF practices
- % of children aged 6-23 months who received a minimum acceptable diet (MAD) in the previous 24 hours
- % of children aged 6-59 months exited from moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) treatment who recovered