In 2025, millions of children under 5 suffer from the adverse effects of Moderate Acute Malnutrition – a nutritional deficiency that stunts normal growth, delays cognitive development, and deteriorates overall health. In this latest blog, we decode the most effective strategies and best practices for rehabilitating and treating MAM on how to restore a child’s health, prevent deterioration, and build long-term resilience through the use of RUSF.

Table of Contents

• • What is Moderate Acute Malnutrition?
  • Key Treatment Strategies
  • Nutrition and Supplementation Options
  • Role of Caregivers
  • Key Takeaways
  • FAQ
  • Conclusion

What is Moderate Acute Malnutrition?

Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM) is defined by WHO guidelines as a weight-for-height score between −2 and −3 or a weight-for-height percentile (WFH) between 70% and 79% compared to a reference population. MAM is characterized by moderate wasting and stunting. It can easily progress to Severe Acute Malnutrition if left untreated or taken lightly.

Key Treatment Strategies

• • Ready-to-Use Supplementary Foods: RUSF is a special nutrient-dense paste designed to provide essential calories, protein, and micronutrients. It is made from fortified peanut paste combined with other ingredients that help the child recover at the earliest.
  • Community Based Supplementary Feeding Programs: With this approach, children with MAM are identified and provided with regular RUSF treatment, and are watched closely, monitoring growth and clinical signs.
  • Home Intervention: Encouraging and strengthening a nutritional family meal using locally available, nutrient-dense foods, fortified with beans, dairy, eggs, or enriched flours.

Nutrition and Supplementation Options

Role of Caregivers in Treating MAM

• • Prepare safe, hygienic meals, fortifying them with proteins and fats.
  • Educate self with community training for nutrition education.
  • Monitor the children for possible relapse or new symptoms to seek early guidance.

Key Takeaways

• • Early detection and timely intervention can prevent escalation to severe acute malnutrition.
  • RUSF and fortified foods are highly effective for quick nutritional rehabilitation.
  • Community health workers are critical in identifying and supporting children with MAM.
  • Caregiver empowerment strengthens compliance and sustainability.

Know More about RUSF

FAQ

• What causes Moderate Acute Malnutrition?
  Common causes include insufficient dietary intake, illness, or poor feeding practices.
• Why choose a product like Nuflower RUSF for MAM?
  Ready-to-Use Supplementary Foods (RUSF) like Nuflower are easy to use at home, provide precise nutrition, and have shown better results in weight gain and recovery compared to nutrition counselling alone. Nuflower RUSF is designed to meet the WHO guidelines for treating MAM

• How often should Nuflower RUSF be given to a child with MAM?
  The typical recommendation is one sachet (about 500–550kcal) of RUSF per day for children with MAM, adjusted based on the child’s weight and MUAC

• How long does recovery take?
  Recovery usually takes 4–8 weeks, but it can vary based on various factors.

MAM is most certainly treatable with a combination of early detection, effective food supplements, and community support. At Nuflower, we developed our RUSF formulation to make a real difference for families and communities. Backed by science and designed for convenience, Nuflower RUSF empowers caregivers and health workers to deliver life-changing nutrition, right at home, where every meal helps a child regain strength, energy, and hope for the future.

Simplified Protocols for SAM and MAM: What’s New in 2025?

In 2025, the landscape of treating Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) and Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM) is being transformed by simplified, unified protocols, a major step forward for children, families, and frontline health workers worldwide.

As a leading manufacturer of RUTF, RUSF, and LNS as well as a trusted partner to world organisations on a mission to fight malnutrition, Nuflower is proud to be at the forefront of these innovations that can change the lives of children and give them a better shot at a healthier life.

Why Do We Need Simplified Protocols?
Traditional approaches to SAM and MAM rely on a number of criteria, separate products and treatment sites. When so many variables are involved, complexity and chaos ensue. Some of the major concerns are delays in care, logistical bottlenecks and lower coverage rates.

Some recent studies, as well as field experience, show that simpler, unified protocols can drastically improve recovery rates and program efficiency.

What’s New in 2025?

1. 1. Community-Based Care
      We have covered the benefits of community-based care earlier, and it is shown that it increases coverage and reduces default rates. The treatment for malnutrition is increasingly decentralised, but with community health workers delivering care and follow-up to ensure better coverage and default rates, making treatment accessible even in remote areas or in the case of emergencies.

1. 1. Proven Effectiveness of RUTF & RUSF
      A few new studies have indicated that simpler protocols achieve better recovery rates, sometimes beyond the usual, meeting or exceeding humanitarian standards. This, in effect, means reduced costs per child treated, making programs more sustainable.

The Impact: Real-World Results
Implementing a simplified protocol for the treatment of MAM based on MUAC as the sole criterion for admission and discharge, a fixed daily dose of one RUTF and involving Community Health Workers as treatment providers could significantly improve the effectiveness and coverage of treatment programmes compared to standard protocols.

By treating SAM and MAM as a continuum of acute malnutrition, children receive care earlier, and the risk of deterioration is minimised. The need for two separate food products is eliminated, simplifying supply chains and training.

Looking Ahead
As a manufacturer committed to quality and innovation, we are scaling up production of RUTF and working closely with our partners to ensure a reliable supply chain, even in the most challenging contexts. We are also investing in research to further optimize dosages and protocols for different regions and populations.

Our goal for 2025 and beyond:
Ensure every child with acute malnutrition, whether SAM or MAM, has access to simple, effective, and timely treatment.

Support the global shift toward unified, evidence-based care for malnutrition.

Together, we can make malnutrition history – one simplified protocol at a time. For more information on our work and products, or to partner with us in the fight against malnutrition, contact Nuflower today.