# Purpose and presentation of data lor the global indicators of nutritional risk tables

The purpose of this publication is to provide a quick reference on the prevalence **ol** proteinenergy malnutrition in developing countries using currentlv available data. Prevalence data arc arranged as a map and in txNo dilterent tables: by area of the world (Table 1) and by World Bank-designated income levels (Table 2);.

Only data that are nationally represenative, relatively recent (since 1980), have an adequate sample size (n> 1,0)0 or studies that are statistically representative of the population for smaller countries), and suppiv information on the standard and ages used are considercd reliabie. Thc country and data are qualilicd by brackets [I when one or more of these pieces of information is deficient. The deficient characteristic is starred. For example, Benin is brackcted because sample size was not available and the data are clinic-based which is not considered nationally rcpresentativc<sup>2</sup> . Sample size and survey type are starred. For a few countries there were several studies to choose from. If national data was available but dated, considerablv more recent, less extensive data was chosen. Data are not presented on China because no nationally representative data are available and expressed in a way which can be interpreted according to international norms.

These tables have been updated several times in the last year and sent out to Bank staff working in Operations. This is the first time these tables have been published. The tables will be up(dated quarteriv on an informal hasis and will be formally revised annualiv as a Population, Health, and Nutrition Division's Technical Note.

To give the reader information on anthropometry as a measure of nutritional status, there is a, brief discussion bIelow on anthropormetric measures.

# Measurine Nutritional Status

Nutritional status is measured for the individual. There are several acceptable measures o1 nutritional status: anthropometry. dietary intake, biochemical markers of the nuirienis, and clinical signs of nutritional deficiency Of these, anthropometrv is the most commonlk used because physical size, which it measures, is a good indicator of o\erall nutritional status, These indicators are also objective. relati%eiy easy to collect, and can be compared against established international standards. Examples of anthropometric indicators are height (or length) lor age. \%cight for age. s.ight for height, arm circumference, head circurnference, and skinfold thickness. These measurements are frcqucntl\ used on gro%%ing children to measure nuiritional status oxcr iime. Because growth is sensitive to nutritional deficieno, these sequential measurcmcnis provide the most sensitive indicators of changes in nutritional status of children.

Anthropometric indicators can be used at anv age as one time measures to assess the magnitudc and distribution of malnutrition in a population group. They are thus a good barometer of nutrition and lood securitl in larger populations. Height can also measure secular chancs ov.r

# World Development Report 1990. The World Bank.

2Grosh, ME., K. Fox. & Ni. Jackson (1990). An observation on the bias in clinic-based estimates of malnutrition ratcs, Working draft. The World Bank.