Diagnosis of acute malnutrition is based on arm circumference and weight for height because clinical manifestations are often difficult to recognize. If either arm circumference or weight is lower than the threshold, acute malnutrition is diagnosed.

Acute malnutrition in children is increasing. The disease needs to be detected promptly for early and effective treatment, otherwise it will lead to life-threatening.

To diagnose acute malnutrition, nutritionists rely on one of two criteria: arm circumference or weight-to-height ratio. In addition, children with acute malnutrition also have other clinical manifestations such as nutritional edema.