Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) is the circumference of the left upper
arm, measured at the mid-point between the tip of the shoulder and the tip
of the elbow (olecranon process and the acromium).
MUAC 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. This advantage of MUAC was
greatest when the period of follow-up was short.
The MUAC measurement requires little equipment and is easy to perform even
on the most debilitated individuals. 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. It is thus suited to screening admissions to feeding programs
during emergencies.
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.
The major determinants of MUAC, arm muscle and sub-cutaneous fat, are both
important determinants of survival in starvation. MUAC is less affected than
weight and height based indices (e.g. WHZ, WHM, BMI) by the localised
accumulation of fluid (i.e. bipedal or nutritional oedema, periorbital
oedema, and ascites) common in famine and is a more sensitive index of
tissue atrophy than low body weight. It is also relatively independent of
height and body-shape.
MUAC Community Website
This is a free and open site for the dissemination and discussion of issues
related to the use of mid-upper-arm circumference (MUAC) including, but not
restricted to, case-definitions, surveys, and patient monitoring.
Assessing Nutritional Status Using Oedema
and Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC)
Articles Peer-review journal articles (papers) and other published articles
Design MUAC strap designs and material related to MUAC strap designs
News Newspaper articles, press releases, and editorials
Official Official government, UN, or NGO statements, documents, and press releases
