Understanding Severe Acute Malnutrition

Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) is a condition that affects an estimated 14 million children globally, according to UNICEF. It presents as extremely low weight for height, visible and severe wasting, and/or the presence of edema.

Infants and children under 5 are most vulnerable. Healthcare workers use a MUAC (Mid-Upper Arm Circumference) bracelet to measure a child's upper arm circumference, which determines the severity of their malnourishment. When the measurement falls in the red zone, the child is classified as severely acutely malnourished.

Children suffering from SAM are nine times more likely to die compared to healthy children. Without treatment, the prognosis is often death. But with RUTF treatment, these children can be brought back to a healthy nutritional level within just 4-6 weeks — and the vast majority never slip back to that critical state again.

This is why MOVE4MANA exists. By getting students active and tracking their physical activity, we convert movement into RUTF packets that save these children's lives. Every step counts, every minute of activity matters.