Caraga Nutrition Cluster orients BNS on MUAC measurement The Caraga Regional Nutrition Cluster (RNC) oriented and demonstrated to the barangay nutrition scholars (BNS) of Barangay Boa in the municipality of Cagdianao, Province of Dinagat Islands on the proper mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) measurement. MUAC is the circumference of the left upper arm, measured at the midpoint between the tip of the shoulder and the tip of the elbow (olecranon process and the acromium) and is used for the assessment of nutritional status. It is a good predictor of mortality and in many studies, MUAC predicted death in children better than any other anthropometric indicator. MUAC is recommended for use with children between six and fifty-nine months of age and for assessing acute energy deficiency in adults during famine or disasters such as Typhoon Odette.
However, although it is important to give workers training in how to take the measurement, the correct technique can be readily taught to minimally trained health workers and community-based volunteers. Nutrition Officer II Raphael Ochavo and United Nations Children’s The MUAC measurement requires little Fund (UNICEF) Nutrition Officer Pete John equipment and is easy to perform even Biscarra briefly oriented the BNS and on the most debilitated individuals. It demonstrated the proper use of MUAC usually makes use of the MUAC tape, a tapes, including MUAC tapes for adults simple plastic tape used in determining for the pregnant and lactating women. the thinness to weight-for-height of a child The Nutrition Cluster also provided new through measuring the circumference of MUAC tapes to the BNS for their conduct an individual’s left upper arm between of rapid nutrition assessment and the tip of the shoulder and the tip of the continuous monitoring of the children elbow. But due to the wrath of Typhoon considered as severely or moderately Odette, all of the anthropometric tools of acute malnourished (SAM/MAM) children the barangay were destroyed or washed in their barangay. (RPOchavo, NNCout including the MUAC tapes. Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
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| January 15-21, 2022
Caraga INFOCUS
