Physical Activity as a Clinical Tool in the Assessment of Malnutrition.

Objective: To measure physical activity in children with wasting and to look for association between poor physical activity and wasting. Methods: Physical activity was measured in 56 children with wasting, using Children’s Activity Rating Scale, and compared with age- and sex-matched controls. Results: A significant association was found between poor physical activity and malnutrition as determined by weight-for-height Z Score <-2 (P=0.001) and midupper- arm circumference (P=0.002). Conclusion: Physical activity can be used as clinical parameter to assess malnutrition.