Nutrition: Waterlow classification: practice question

A PSM question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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PSM · Nutrition: Waterlow classification

Sample item

A 3-year-old child has weight-for-height of 95 percent of the reference median and height-for-age of 82 percent. How does the Waterlow classification describe this child?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

A. Stunted without wasting

In the Waterlow classification, a height-for-age below 95 percent of the reference median indicates stunting, a sign of chronic or past malnutrition. A weight-for-height below 90 percent indicates wasting, a sign of acute malnutrition. This child has stunting alone.

Option by option

  • A. Stunted without wasting (correct)

    Correct. Height-for-age of 82 percent shows stunting and weight-for-height of 95 percent excludes wasting.

  • B. Both wasted and stunted

    Both would require weight-for-height below 90 percent as well.

  • C. Normally nourished

    Normal nutrition needs height-for-age above 95 percent, and this child is well below it.

  • D. Wasted without stunting

    Wasting needs weight-for-height below 90 percent, which is not the case here.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this PSM question

What is the answer to this PSM question?

The best answer is A, Stunted without wasting. In the Waterlow classification, a height-for-age below 95 percent of the reference median indicates stunting, a sign of chronic or past malnutrition.

Why is "Both wasted and stunted" not the answer?

Both would require weight-for-height below 90 percent as well.

Why is "Normally nourished" not the answer?

Normal nutrition needs height-for-age above 95 percent, and this child is well below it.

Why is "Wasted without stunting" not the answer?

Wasting needs weight-for-height below 90 percent, which is not the case here.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Nutrition: Waterlow classification in PSM. A weight-for-height below 90 percent indicates wasting, a sign of acute malnutrition. This child has stunting alone.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Nutrition: Waterlow classification?

Practise biostatistics with small calculations until sensitivity, predictive values and risk measures are automatic. Then use the flashcards and the other PSM questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.