This table provides metadata for the actual indicator available from Rwanda statistics closest to the corresponding global SDG indicator. Please note that even when the global SDG indicator is fully available from Rwandan statistics, this table should be consulted for information on national methodology and other Rwandan-specific metadata information.
| Indicator available |
Prevalence of malnutrition among children under 5 years of age, by type |
|---|---|
| Indicator description |
Wasting, or low weight-for-height, is a measure of acute undernutrition. It represents a failure to receive ade- quate nutrition in the period immediately preceding the survey. Wasting may result from inadequate food intake or from a recent episode of illness or infection leading to weight loss. Overweight, or high weight-for-height, results from an imbalance between energy consumed (too much) and energy expended (too little). |
| Geographical coverage |
Rwanda |
| Unit of measurement |
Percentage (%) |
| Definitions |
This indicator is calculated as the percentage of children under five years old whose weight for height are less than minus two standard deviations (wasting) and greater than plus two standard deviations (overweight) from the median weight for height of the reference population ages 0–59 months. The nutritional status of children in the survey population was compared with the 2006 WHO Child Growth Standards (WHO, 2006) |
| Calculations |
(Number of children under age five that fall below minus two standard deviations or above plus two standard deviations from the median weight for height of the 2006 WHO Child Growth Standards) / (Total number of children under age five in sample) * 100 |
| Other information |
Please see linked source for further detail. |
| Comments and limitations |
Please see linked source for methodological limitations. |
| Data last updated |
16/09/2026 |
| Metadata last updated |
16/09/2026 |