How is severe stunting for low height for age classified according to WHO standards?

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AIIMS NORCET 8 Prelims Memory Based Paper 2025

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Answer 1

Correct Answer: Height-for-age Z-score (HAZ) less than -3

Rationale:

Severe stunting is a critical indicator of chronic malnutrition in children, which results from prolonged nutritional deficiencies or recurrent illnesses during early growth and development.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) standards, severe stunting is classified when a child’s height-for-age Z-score (HAZ) is less than -3. This means the child’s height is significantly below the median height for their age and sex, as per the WHO Child Growth Standards.
The Z-score compares a child’s height to a reference population, with a score of 0 representing the median. A Z-score less than -3 indicates a child is in the lowest 0.13% of the population for height, suggesting severe growth retardation.

Explanation of Other Options:

Height-for-age Z-score (HAZ) less than -2

Rationale: This Z-score range represents moderate stunting, not severe stunting. While children with HAZ less than -2 are still considered malnourished, their growth deficit is less severe than those with HAZ less than -3.

Height-for-age Z-score (HAZ) less than -1

Rationale: A Z-score less than -1 does not indicate stunting. It may suggest a slight deviation from the median height, but it does not fall into the categories of moderate or severe stunting.

Height-for-age Z-score (HAZ) between -1 and -2

Rationale: This range represents children who are slightly below average for height but do not meet the threshold for stunting (moderate or severe). These children may not be classified as malnourished but could still benefit from monitoring.

Additional Information:

Stunting is a significant public health concern, as it is associated with impaired cognitive and physical development, reduced productivity, and increased risk of chronic diseases in adulthood.
Addressing stunting involves improving maternal nutrition, ensuring adequate infant and young child feeding practices, providing access to healthcare, and addressing underlying factors such as poverty and food insecurity.
WHO recommends monitoring height-for-age Z-scores as part of regular child health assessments to identify and address stunting early.