Anthropometric indices used for the diagnosis of malnutrition in adolescent and adults

The International Dietary Energy Consultative Group, sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO), has done most of the research conducted in the field of adult malnutrition in the rate 1980's. These studies were carried out mainly in populations suffering from chronic malnutrition, and led to t he current WHO recommendations for the diagnosis and classification of adul t malnutrition. Body Mass Index (BMI) is the gold standard to be used in ad ults, with the following cut-off points identified: 16.0, 17.0 and 18.5. Th e good correlation observed between BMI and Middle Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) led to the determination of corresponding cut-off points. However th e very few field studies available in the literature are in favor of a lowe ring of the BMI cut-off points during nutritional emergencies. Several ques tions need to be answered through field research, mainly concerning the typ e of indicator best predicting the risk of death, and the type of indicator to be used in adolescents, pregnant women and older people.