Wasting - Classification

Classification

• Children: Weight-for-height (WFH). In infants under 24 months, recumbent (supine) length is used. WFH as % of median reference value is calculated this way:

Cutoff points may vary, but <80% (close to -2 Z-score) is often used.

• Adults:
  • Body Mass Index (BMI) is the quotient between weight and height squared (kg/m2). An individual with a BMI < 18.5 is regarded as a case of wasting.
  • Percent of body weight lost (At Tufts, an unintentional loss of 6% or more in 6 months is regarded as wasting)