Tanjay City, Negros Oriental – Severe acute malnutrition (SAM) among children under five years of age is one of the major causes of child mortality. It is defined as a very low weight for height (below -3 z scores of the median WHO growth standards), by visible severe wasting, or by the presence of nutritional oedema. But how can we prevent death to children caused by SAM?

Early detection using the Mid Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) tape is one of the key factors in addressing severe acute malnutrition. According to the National Nutrition Council, “MUAC tape is a simple plastic tape used in determining the thinness to weight-for-height of a child through measuring of the circumference of an individual’s left upper arm between the tip of the shoulder and the tip of the elbow”.

The results of the MUAC tape measurement are used to identify the appropriate nutrition intervention to the nutritionally-at-risk children. The advantages of MUAC screening includes being less prone to errors, simple, lightweight, easy to hold, effortless to use, and a preferred indication of mortality risk. It can also be used for active case seeking in community-based settings.

Here is the guide in interpreting the result based on the color zones.

Source: UNICEF

MUAC tapes are distributed to all Local Government Units in Region VII as to aid in the detection of acute malnutrition especially during emergencies. //ND II Shaira Vita Calumpang Reyes, RND