Implementing 2nd Milk’s Use of the World Health Organization Standardized Growth Charts to Better Track the Growth and Development of the Malnourished and Orphaned Infants in Their Supplemental Nutrition Program in Malawi

Author

Allie Wycoff, University of Arkansas, FayettevilleFollow

Date of Graduation

12-2021

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Degree Level

Undergraduate

Department

Nursing

Advisor/Mentor

Agana, Carol

Committee Member

Lofton, Ann

Abstract

This article considers the history and implications of the World Health Organization (WHO) standardized growth charts as well as the significant impact that growth chart utilization may have on 2^ndMilk’s ability to understand and track the nutritional status of the malnourished orphaned infants in their formula program. Specifically, this literature review examines whether or not the WHO growth charts are a meaningful tool for 2^ndMilk to adopt into their monthly baby assessments. The WHO growth charts are calibrated to express an accepted international “norm” for what an adequately nourished child looks like. In a recent service-learning initiative project, 2^ndMilk piloted the use of these charts to assess their babies against the accepted world-wide healthy baby norm. The following literature is systemically analyzed to contemplate the potential use of other growth charts, but ultimately indicates that the WHO growth charts are in fact an effective metric for the tracking and assessment of nutrition status in these malnourished infants in the 2^ndMilk formula program. Additional research provided emphasizes the importance of early detection and management of malnutrition.

Keywords

Malnutrition; WHO growth charts; malawi; formula; orphans; service learning

Citation

Wycoff, A. (2021). Implementing 2nd Milk’s Use of the World Health Organization Standardized Growth Charts to Better Track the Growth and Development of the Malnourished and Orphaned Infants in Their Supplemental Nutrition Program in Malawi. The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses Retrieved from https://scholarworks.uark.edu/nursuht/165