Acute malnutrition among children under 5
Information
Full name
Acute malnutrition among children under 5 years of age, by level of malnutrition
Short name
Acute malnutrition among children under 5
Code
AcuteMalnutrition
Aliases
SAM, MAM, Wasting, GAM
Definition
Global acute malnutrition (GAM) prevalence is the proportion of children aged 6–59 months with a weight-for-height z-score (WHZ) < -2 standard deviations from the median of the 2006 WHO Child Growth Standards and/or bilateral pitting oedema. Moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) is defined as WHZ ≥ -3 and < -2 standard deviations without bilateral pitting oedema; severe acute malnutrition (SAM) is defined as WHZ < -3 standard deviations or bilateral pitting oedema. GAM comprises MAM and SAM.
This indicator is comparable against SDG indicator 2.2.2b on the proportion of children who are moderately or severely wasted (https://unstats.un.org/sdgs/metadata/files/Metadata-02-02-02b.pdf).
Rationale
This indicator is used to measure nutrition status at population level and as an indicator of the severity of an emergency situation. Wasting is characterised by rapid weight loss, usually the result of a recent shock, such as lack of calories and nutrients, and/or illness. It undermines child growth and development and is strongly linked to higher rates of mortality. A child who is severely wasted is 9 times more likely to die than a child who is not wasted. If 10% or more of children are classified as suffering from GAM, this is generally considered to be a serious emergency, and with over 15% the emergency is considered critical.
Method of computation
Numerator: Number of children aged 0-59 months who are acutely malnourished
Denominator: Total number of children aged 0-59 months who were measured with a valid measurement.
Comparability
International definition and standards
Relationships
| Framework | Indicator | Comparability |
|---|---|---|
| Sustainible Development Goals Indicators | Prevalence of malnutrition (weight for height >+2 or <-2 standard deviation from the median of the WHO Child Growth Standards) among children under 5 years of age, by type (wasting and overweight) | Comparable |
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Quality assurance
Quality assurance follows the practices of the survey from which the data is collected. For data collected through UNHCR's Standardized Expanded Nutrition Surveys (SENS), see quality assurance information on the SENS website (https://www.unhcr.org/sens/).
Data sources
Household surveys such as UNHCR Standardized Expanded Nutrition Survey (SENS) and UNICEF's Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS)
Cameroon: Standardized Expanded Nutrition Survey (SENS) - 2015
UNHCR_CMR_2015_SENS
2015
Cameroon
Probability survey
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
UNHCR_TCD_2019_SENS; UNHCR_TCD_2018_SENS; UNHCR_TCD_2017_SENS
UNHCR_TCD_2019_SENS; UNHCR_TCD_2018_SENS; UNHCR_TCD_2017_SENS
Bangladesh: Standardized Expanded Nutrition Survey (SENS) - Rohingya Refugee Response Cox's Bazar - 2022
UNHCR_BGD_2022_SENS
2022
Bangladesh
Probability survey
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Djibouti: Standardized Expanded Nutrition Survey (SENS) in Ali Addeh, Holl-Holl and Markazi Refugee Sites - 2023
UNHCR_DJI_2023_SENS
2023
Djibouti
Probability survey
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Zambia: Standardized Expanded Nutrition Survey (SENS) - 2021
UNHCR_ZMB_2021_SENS
2021
Zambia
Probability survey
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Ethiopia: Standardized Expanded Nutrition Survey (SENS) - 2019
UNHCR_ETH_2019_SENS
2019
Ethiopia
Probability survey
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Mauritania: Standardized Expanded Nutrition Survey (SENS) - 2018
GOVT_MRT_2018_SENS
2018
Mauritania
Probability survey
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
UNHCR_NGA_2024_SENS; UNHCR_NGA_2023_SENS
UNHCR_NGA_2024_SENS; UNHCR_NGA_2023_SENS
Chad: Standardized Expanded Nutrition Survey (SENS) - 2024
UNHCR_TCD_2024_SENS
2024
Chad
Probability survey
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Ethiopia: Standardized Expanded Nutrition Survey (SENS) - 2023
UNHCR_ETH_2023_SENS
2023
Ethiopia
Probability survey
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Chad: Standardized Expanded Nutrition Survey (SENS) - 2017
UNHCR_TCD_2017_SENS
2017
Chad
Probability survey
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Nigeria: Standardized Expanded Nutrition Survey (SENS) - Taraba State - 2023
UNHCR_NGA_2023_SENS
2023
Nigeria
Probability survey
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
United Rep. of Tanzania: Standardized Expanded Nutrition Survey (SENS) - 2019
UNHCR_TZA_2019_SENS
2019
United Republic of Tanzania
Probability survey
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
UNHCR_SDN_2018_SENS; UNHCR_SDN_2019_SENS
UNHCR_SDN_2018_SENS; UNHCR_SDN_2019_SENS
Kenya: Standardized Expanded Nutrition Survey (SENS) - 2019
UNHCR_KEN_2019_SENS
2019
Kenya
Probability survey
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Ethiopia: Standardized Expanded Nutrition Survey (SENS) - 2021
UNHCR_ETH_2021_SENS
2021
Ethiopia
Probability survey
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Republic of the Congo: Standardized Expanded Nutrition Survey (SENS) - 2021
UNHCR_COG_2021_SENS
2021
Congo
Probability survey
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Burkina Faso: Standardized Expanded Nutrition Survey (SENS) - 2017
UNHCR_BFA_2017_SENS
2017
Burkina Faso
Probability survey
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
South Sudan: Standardized Expanded Nutrition Survey (SENS) - 2019
UNHCR_SSD_2019_SENS
2019
South Sudan
Probability survey
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Ethiopia: Standardized Expanded Nutrition Survey (SENS) - 2025
UNHCR_ETH_2025_SENS
2025
Ethiopia
Probability survey
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Zimbabwe: Standardized Expanded Nutrition Survey (SENS) - 2021
UNHCR_ZWE_2021_SENS
2021
Zimbabwe
Probability survey
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Sudan: Standardized Expanded Nutrition Survey (SENS) - 2019
UNHCR_SDN_2019_SENS
2019
Sudan
Probability survey
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Sudan: Standardized Expanded Nutrition Survey (SENS) - 2018
UNHCR_SDN_2018_SENS
2018
Sudan
Probability survey
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Uganda: Standardized Expanded Nutrition Survey (SENS) - 2023
UNHCR_UGA_2023_FSNA
2023
Uganda
Probability survey
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Rwanda: Standardized Expanded Nutrition Survey (SENS) in Gihembe, Kigeme, Kiziba, Mugombwa, Nyabiheke & Mahama refugee camps - 2021
UNHCR_RWA_2021_SENS
2021
Rwanda
Probability survey
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
UNHCR_KEN_2018_SENS; UNHCR_KEN_2019_SENS
UNHCR_KEN_2018_SENS; UNHCR_KEN_2019_SENS
Nigeria: Standardized Expanded Nutrition Survey (SENS) - 2024
UNHCR_NGA_2024_SENS
2024
Nigeria
Probability survey
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Sudan: Standardized Expanded Nutrition Survey (SENS) in White Nile State - 2022
UNHCR_SDN_2022_SENS
2022
Sudan
Probability survey
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Algeria: Standardized Expanded Nutrition Survey (SENS) - 2019
UNHCR_DZA_2019_SENS
2019
Algeria
Probability survey
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Niger: Standardized Expanded Nutrition Survey (SENS) - 2025
UNHCR_NER_2025_SENS
2025
Niger
Probability survey
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Cameroon: Standardized Expanded Nutrition Survey (SENS) - 2016
UNHCR_CMR_2016_SENS
2016
Cameroon
Probability survey
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Ethiopia: Standardized Expanded Nutrition Survey (SENS) - 2018
UNHCR_ETH_2018_SENS
2018
Ethiopia
Probability survey
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Uganda: Standardized Expanded Nutrition Survey (SENS) - 2017
UNHCR_UGA_2017_FSNA
2017
Uganda
Probability survey
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Malawi: Standardized Expanded Nutrition Survey (SENS) - 2016
UNHCR_MWI_2016_SENS
2016
Malawi
Probability survey
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Rwanda: Standardized Expanded Nutrition Survey (SENS) - 2019
UNHCR_RWA_2019_SENS
2019
Rwanda
Probability survey
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
United Rep. of Tanzania: Standardized Expanded Nutrition Survey (SENS) in Kigoma Refugee Camps - 2021
UNHCR_TZA_2021_SENS
2021
United Republic of Tanzania
Probability survey
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
UNHCR_CMR_2015_SENS; UNHCR_CMR_2016_SENS
UNHCR_CMR_2015_SENS; UNHCR_CMR_2016_SENS
Cameroon: Forced Displacement Survey - 2024
UNHCR_CMR_2024_FDS
2024
Cameroon
Probability survey
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Gov't. of Cameroon
Report is forthcoming.
South Sudan: Standardized Expanded Nutrition Survey (SENS) in settlements in Ajuong Thok, Pamir, Gorom, Makpandu, Doro, Yusuf Batil, Gendrassa and Kaya - 2021
UNHCR_SSD_2021_SENS
2021
South Sudan
Probability survey
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Burundi: Standardized Expanded Nutrition Survey (SENS) - 2017
UNHCR_BDI_2017_SENS
2017
Burundi
Probability survey
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Algeria: Standardized Expanded Nutrition Survey (SENS) - 2025
UNHCR_DZA_2025_SENS
2025
Algeria
Probability survey
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Cameroon: Standardized Expanded Nutrition Survey (SENS) - 2022
UNHCR_CMR_2022_SENS
2022
Cameroon
Probability survey
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Nigeria: Standardized Expanded Nutrition Survey (SENS) - 2021
UNHCR_NGA_2021_SENS
2021
Nigeria
Probability survey
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Bangladesh: Standardized Expanded Nutrition Survey (SENS) - 2020
UNHCR_BGD_2020_SENS
2020
Bangladesh
Probability survey
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Algeria: Nutrition Survey - Sahrawi Refugee Camps - 2022
UNHCR_DZA_2022_SENS
2022
Algeria
Probability survey
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Ethiopia: Standardized Expanded Nutrition Survey (SENS) - 2022
UNHCR_ETH_2022_SENS
2022
Ethiopia
Probability survey
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Pakistan: Forced displacement survey (FDS) - 2024
UNHCR_PAK_2024_FDS
2025
Pakistan
Probability survey
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Djibouti: Standardized Expanded Nutrition Survey (SENS) - 2019
GOVT_DJI_2019_SENS
2019
Djibouti
Probability survey
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Rep. of the Congo: Standardized Expanded Nutrition Survey (SENS) - 2025
UNHCR_COG_2025_SENS
2025
Congo
Probability survey
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Zimbabwe: Standardized Expanded Nutrition Survey (SENS) - 2024
UNHCR_ZWE_2024_SENS
2024
Zimbabwe
Probability survey
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Niger: Standardized Expanded Nutrition Survey (SENS) - 2021
UNHCR_NER_2021_SENS
2021
Niger
Probability survey
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Malawi: Standardized Expanded Nutrition Survey (SENS) - Dzaleka and the Host Community - 2022
UNHCR_MWI_2022_SENS
2022
Malawi
Probability survey
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Chad: Standardized Expanded Nutrition Survey (SENS) - 2021
UNHCR_TCD_2021_SENS
2021
Chad
Probability survey
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Chad: Standardized Expanded Nutrition Survey (SENS) - 2019
UNHCR_TCD_2019_SENS
2019
Chad
Probability survey
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Niger: Standardized Expanded Nutrition Survey (SENS) - 2018
UNHCR_NER_2018_SENS
2018
Niger
Probability survey
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
UNHCR_SSD_2023_SENS; UNHCR_SSD_2024_SENS
UNHCR_SSD_2023_SENS; UNHCR_SSD_2024_SENS
Lebanon: Integrated Micronutrient Anthropometry and Child Development Survey (LIMA) - 2023-2024
GOVT_LBN_2023_LIMA
2023
Lebanon
Probability survey
Dem. Rep. of the Congo: Standardized Expanded Nutrition Survey (SENS) - 2019
UNHCR_COD_2019_SENS
2019
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Probability survey
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Georgia: Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) - 2018
UNICEF_GEO_2018_MICS
2018
Georgia
Probability survey
United Nations Children's Fund
Bangladesh: Standardized Expanded Nutrition Survey (SENS) - 2021
UNHCR_BGD_2021_SENS
2021
Bangladesh
Probability survey
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Uganda: Standardized Expanded Nutrition Survey (SENS) - 2020
UNHCR_UGA_2020_FSNA
2020
Uganda
Probability survey
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
UNHCR_ETH_2019_SENS; UNHCR_ETH_2018_SENS
UNHCR_ETH_2019_SENS; UNHCR_ETH_2018_SENS
South Sudan: Standardized Expanded Nutrition Survey (SENS) - 2024
UNHCR_SSD_2024_SENS
2024
South Sudan
Probability survey
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Zambia: Standardized Expanded Nutrition Survey (SENS) - 2017
UNHCR_ZMB_2017_SENS
2017
Zambia
Probability survey
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Rwanda: Standardized Expanded Nutrition Survey (SENS) in Kigeme, Kiziba, Mugombwa, Nyabiheke & Mahama refugee camps - 2023
UNHCR_RWA_2023_SENS
2023
Rwanda
Probability survey
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Bangladesh: Standardized Expanded Nutrition Survey (SENS) - Rohingya Refugee Response Cox's Bazar - 2024
UNHCR_BGD_2024_SENS
2024
Bangladesh
Probability survey
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Chad: Standardized Expanded Nutrition Survey (SENS) - 2018
UNHCR_TCD_2018_SENS
2018
Chad
Probability survey
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
South Sudan: Standardized Expanded Nutrition Survey (SENS) in settlements in Pamir, Ajuongthok, Gorom and Makpandu- 2023
UNHCR_SSD_2023_SENS
2023
South Sudan
Probability survey
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Malawi: Standardized Expanded Nutrition Survey (SENS) - 2025
UNHCR_MWI_2025_SENS
2025
Malawi
Probability survey
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
United Rep. of Tanzania: Standardized Expanded Nutrition Survey (SENS) in Kigoma Refugee Camps - 2023
UNHCR_TZA_2023_SENS
2023
United Republic of Tanzania
Probability survey
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Mozambique: Standardized Expanded Nutrition Survey (SENS) - 2015
UNHCR_MOZ_2015_SENS
2015
Mozambique
Probability survey
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Zambia: Forced Displacement Survey - 2025
UNHCR_ZMB_2025_FDS
2025
Probability survey
The strata on others of concern (OOC) are former refugeesfrom Angola and Rwanda who have lost their refugee protections, however, remain in Zambia and are at risk of statelessness.
Uganda: Standardized Expanded Nutrition Survey (SENS) - 2025
UNHCR_UGA_2025_FSNA
2025
Uganda
Probability survey
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Kenya: Standardized Expanded Nutrition Survey (SENS) - 2018
UNHCR_KEN_2018_SENS
2018
Kenya
Probability survey
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
South Sudan: Standardized Expanded Nutrition Survey (SENS) - 2022
UNHCR_SSD_2022_SENS
2022
South Sudan
Probability survey
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Iraq: Standardized Expanded Nutrition Survey (SENS) - 2015
UNHCR_IRQ_2015_SENS
2015
Iraq
Probability survey
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Nepal: Standardized Expanded Nutrition Survey (SENS) - 2018
UNHCR_NPL_2018_SENS
2018
Nepal
Probability survey
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Kenya: Standardized Expanded Nutrition Survey (SENS) - 2021
UNHCR_KEN_2021_SENS
2021
Kenya
Probability survey
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Bangladesh: Standardized Expanded Nutrition Survey (SENS) - Bhasan Char Island & Cox's Bazar Refugee Camps - 2023
UNHCR_BGD_2023_SENS
2023
Bangladesh
Probability survey
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Uganda: Standardized Expanded Nutrition Survey (SENS) - 2022
UNHCR_UGA_2022_FSNA
2022
Uganda
Probability survey
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees