WASTING is defined as less than -2SDs, or sometimes 80%, wt/ht
by NCHS standards, usually in children of 6-59 months. For
guidance in interpretation, prevalences of around 5-10% are
usual in African populations in non-drought periods. We have
taken more than 20% prevalence of wasting as undoubtedly high
and indicating a serious situation; more than 40% is a severe
crisis. SEVERE WASTING can be defined as below -3SDs (or about
70%). Any significant prevalence of severe wasting is unusual
and indicates heightened risk. (When "wasting" and "severe
wasting" are reported in the text, wasting includes severe -
e.g. total percent less than -2SDs, not percent between -2SDs
and -3SDs.) Data from 1993/4 shows that the most efficient
predictor of elevated mortality is a cut off of 15% wasting
(ACC/SCN, 1994, p81). Equivalent cut-offs to -2SDs and -3SDs of
wt/ht for arm circumference are about 12.0 to 12.5 cms, and 11.0
to 11.5 cms, depending on age. BMI (wt/ht2) is a measure of
energy deficiency in adults. We have taken