Measuring acute malnutrition: a need to redefine cut-off points for arm circumference?

Two relatively age-independent indicators--weight-for-height and mid upper-arm circumference--have been widely used to assess acute malnutrition in drought-affected communities in southern Ethiopia. Compared with weight for height, arm circumference (with cut-off points of 12.5 cm and 13.5 cm) greatly exaggerates acute malnutrition prevalence rates. New cut-off points (11 cm and 13 cm) are therefore proposed which significantly reduce false-positive rates and make weight for height and arm circumference classifications more comparable in the assessment of acute malnutrition.