ABSTRACT
Malnutrition should be understood in terms of failures of bodily functions. The conditions under which it occurs must be appreciated as specific to particular localities, with characteristic agricultural ecologies and work patterns. In a population with relatively low food intakes, only a minority of children may show clinical symptoms of malnutrition such as oedema, fatty liver, hair and skin changes, or severe muscle wasting, but others may very well be affected especially with regard to their vulnerability to infection. The practical importance of establishing and defining criteria for labelling people as 'malnourished' can be illustrated by discussing the problems of selecting a subgroup of the 'malnourished' for treatment or intervention. Despite the difficulties of classification, in any practical situation where action is contemplated, there will be a need to have some procedure for comparing risks and for allocating resources.
