Mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) for identification of nutritional status in pediatric clinical practice: a literature review

Abstract

Childhood obesity and malnutrition are global public health concerns. In 2020, over 39 million children under 5 were overweight or obese. This narrative review explores the clinical utility of Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) in pediatric nutritional assessment. A structured literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, covering studies from 1999 to 2025. Articles were selected based on relevance and methodological rigor. The review synthesizes historical evolution, validation studies, and clinical comparisons of MUAC with other anthropometric methods.