Which condition is associated with a deficit in weight for height?

A deficit in weight for height indicates that an individual's weight is significantly lower than what is expected for their height, reflecting a state of acute malnutrition. Marasmus is the condition characterized by this specific deficit. It typically arises due to a severe deficiency in calorie intake, leading to significant weight loss and a very thin appearance. Individuals with marasmus exhibit a lack of subcutaneous fat and muscle wasting, which contributes to their low weight relative to height.

Stunting relates to chronic malnutrition and is assessed through height for age, indicating growth failure over a longer duration. Kwashiorkor, on the other hand, involves severe protein deficiency often accompanied by signs like swelling due to edema, primarily affecting the body’s ability to maintain proper nutritional balance. Underweight generally encompasses a broader category that can include both acute and chronic forms of malnutrition and does not solely indicate a weight deficit in relation to height.

Thus, marasmus distinctly signifies a deficiency in weight for height due to acute nutritional inadequacy, making it the correct condition in this context.