PHYSICAL ACTIVITY LEVELS AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS IN CHILDREN WITH MODERATE ACUTE MALNUTRITION: A SCOPING REVIEW OF OBSERVATIONAL AND INTERVENTION STUDIES
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Moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) continues to be a significant public health problem worldwide, especially in low- and middle-incomes countries where children are particularly susceptible to growth faltering and developmental delays. Anthropometric recovery has been the main concern of nutritional rehabilitation programs, however functional outcomes such as physical activity are not yet completely understood. To characterise the patterns of physical activity and their biological, socioeconomic and environmental determinants in children affected by MAM, and to describe intervention studies that target movement behaviours. PRISMA-ScR guideline was followed, and a literature search was performed in main electronic databases for articles within the years 2020–2025. Observational and intervention studies with quantifiable physical activity outcomes were eligible. Available evidence points to generally lower MAM children's moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and higher sedentary behaviours levels than their well-nourished counterparts. Infectious disease load, micronutrient deficiencies, poverty and lack of safe play areas determine activity participation. Intervention-type studies that included some form of dietary supplementation and structured physical activity or motor learning strategies exhibited encouraging increases in functional capacity. Overall, the results underline the importance of including standardized assessment of physical activity in MAM management protocols and to ensure a more comprehensive child recovery/rehabilitation processes and cognitive development.
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Yadav, K. (2026). Physical Activity Levels and Associated Factors in Children with Moderate Acute Malnutrition: A Scoping Review of Observational and Intervention Studies. International Journal of Science, Strategic Management and Technology, 02(05). https://doi.org/10.55041/ijsmt.v2i5.190
Yadav, Krutika. "Physical Activity Levels and Associated Factors in Children with Moderate Acute Malnutrition: A Scoping Review of Observational and Intervention Studies." International Journal of Science, Strategic Management and Technology, vol. 02, no. 05, 2026, pp. . doi:https://doi.org/10.55041/ijsmt.v2i5.190.
Yadav, Krutika. "Physical Activity Levels and Associated Factors in Children with Moderate Acute Malnutrition: A Scoping Review of Observational and Intervention Studies." International Journal of Science, Strategic Management and Technology 02, no. 05 (2026). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.55041/ijsmt.v2i5.190.
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