Overlap in Conventional Indices Used to Assess Undernutrition among Young Children: Extent and Implication for Policies

Godefroy Djomo Lokanga, Université de Kinshasa
Shailen Nandy, Cardiff University

Studies show that the standard indices for assessing child undernutrition overlap and may underestimate the prevalence of undernutrition. But studies do not show if this overlap is as important as it is suggested and if it can affect the effectiveness of programs and policies. Using anthropometrics data for 21,453 children under 5 from MICS-DRC 2017-2018, this study examines the extent of the overlap of these conventional indices. The study subsequently shows the implication of this overlap in policies by analyzing the association between under 5 undernutrition, household poverty and morbidity. The results indicate the extent of the overlap in conventional indices used for assess undernutrition among young children and the implications of this. Study show that clinical nutrient profiles should be reviewed, as children with multiple forms of undernutrition should be grouped into their own categories as they are the most vulnerable groups of children. And these overlaps expressed as a percentage in the sample of this study are equivalent to millions of children likely to constitute a bias for targeting and prioritization programs of the most vulnerable children. And the study suggests that the indices to be used for a better overview of the undernutrition problem should be disaggregated.

Keywords: Children, Adolescents, and Youth, Health and Morbidity, Population Policies

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