Category: Undernutrition

The World Health Organization defines a BMI under 18.5 as underweight, a classification often associated with undernutrition. However, BMI is widely considered an imperfect tool that fails to provide a comprehensive picture of an individual's nutritional status.

Nearly half of deaths among children under five years of age are linked to undernutrition, highlighting its devastating impact. Understanding **what is severely malnourished mean** is vital, as this is a critical medical emergency requiring specialized treatment to prevent life-threatening complications.