What condition is described as a deficit in height for age?

The condition referred to as a deficit in height for age is stunting. Stunting is a sign of chronic malnutrition that occurs during the critical period of growth and development in early life, particularly in children under the age of five. It is characterized by a height that is significantly lower than the average for the child's age, indicating that the child has not received adequate nutrition over an extended period. This condition can result from a combination of nutritional inadequacies, poor maternal health, and environmental factors, and it can have long-term effects on physical and cognitive development.

In contrast, wasting refers to a significant loss of weight or a low weight for height, often indicating acute malnutrition, while kwashiorkor and marasmus are both forms of malnutrition resulting from protein deficiency and energy deficiency, respectively. While they manifest with various symptoms and consequences, they do not primarily describe a deficit in height.