In community surveys, which symptom is frequently associated with malnutrition?

In community surveys, low hemoglobin (hgb) is often associated with malnutrition as it serves as a key indicator of anemia, which can result from inadequate intake of essential nutrients, particularly iron, folate, and vitamin B12. Anemia is a common consequence of malnutrition and reflects the body's diminished ability to produce healthy red blood cells due to insufficient nutrient availability. This makes low hemoglobin a critical parameter to assess when evaluating the nutritional status of populations, particularly in settings where dietary deficiencies are prevalent.

While scurvy and rickets are related to specific nutrient deficiencies (vitamin C and vitamin D, respectively), they are not as universally indicative of malnutrition across diverse populations. Low serum albumin is often a consequence of chronic illness or inflammation rather than purely nutritional deficiencies, making it less reliable as a sole marker of malnutrition in community settings. Therefore, low hemoglobin is a more comprehensive indicator that captures the broader impact of malnutrition on an individual's health.