Malnutrition is a condition that occurs when a body does not get enough nutrients due to a poor diet or lack of food. If someone consumes less than 2100 calories a day, they are considered undernourished and hungry.
There are two types of malnutrition
Chronic malnutrition
Acute malnutrition
Chronic malnutrition is a condition that leads to stunted growth and development, as well as increased susceptibility to disease and illness. In this type of malnutrition a person’s diet lacks sufficient nutrients over a long period of time.
Acute malnutrition is a health condition that can happen when a person doesn't get enough healthy food for a short period of time. It can have serious consequences for the health of younger children.
Worldwide, three nutrient deficiencies are of particular concern:
Vitamin A Deficiency: Deficiency of Vitamin A can lead to preventable child blindness and problems with vision.
Iron deficiency: Iron is important for making healthy red blood cells that carry oxygen throughout the body. The deficiency can result in a weakened immune system and reduced cognitive abilities.
Iodine Deficiency: Lack of iodine is a major cause of mental retardation worldwide. The body needs iodine to make a hormone called thyroxine, which is important for brain development, the deficiency of iodine can cause mental retardation.
Protein-energy malnutrition also known as PEM is the inadequate absorption of energy and proteins in the body, also the major leading cause of death in children in developing countries. PEM can lead to many diseases:
Kwashiorkor
Kwashiorkor is a serious type of malnutrition that happens when a person doesn't get enough protein in their diet. Protein is important for the body to function properly. When someone lacks protein, it can cause problems in the digestive system, leading to swelling of the gut and an accumulation of water, which is called edema.
Marasmus
Marasmus is a severe type of malnutrition caused by not getting enough energy from food. It mostly affects children and makes them look very thin and weak. In marasmus, the body weight drops to less than 62% of what is considered normal for their age
Diseases resulting from deficiency of a mineral are listed below
Goiter
Goiter is a condition in which the thyroid gland becomes enlarged, causing swelling in the neck. It happens because there is not enough iodine in the diet. Iodine is important for the thyroid gland to make hormones that help the body grow and function properly.
Anemia
Anemia means "lack of blood." It happens when the number of red blood cells in the body drops below normal. Red blood cells contain a molecule called hemoglobin that needs iron to work properly. If the body does not get enough iron, it cannot make enough hemoglobin or red blood cells. This leads to weakness and a shortage of oxygen reaching the body's cells.
Over intake of nutrients
Over-intake or overeating is a form of malnutrition in which more nutrients are consumed than the body needs. It can be especially harmful when combined with less physical activity, as it leads to weight gain.
Eating too many carbohydrates and fats can result in problems like obesity, diabetes, and heart issues.
Taking too much vitamin A can cause loss of appetite and liver problems
Excessive vitamin D can lead to calcium build-up in different tissues.
Malnutrition can harm both the body and mind. The more malnourished a person is, the more nutrients are missing, and more health conditions are caused. Some of them are given below
Starvation
In humans, prolonged starvation can cause permanent organ damage and eventually, death.
Heart diseases
Eating an unbalanced diet can lead to heart problems. Foods high in fat can raise cholesterol levels in the blood, which can block the blood vessels and cause heart diseases
Constipation
A condition in which there is difficulty in emptying the bowels is usually associated with hardened feces.
Obesity
Obesity is most commonly caused by a combination of excessive food intake, lack of physical activity, and genetic susceptibility. Obesity is known as a mother’s disease and may lead to many health conditions like heart problems, hypertension, and diabetes.
Chronic malnutrition can cause severe disabilities and even death. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), malnutrition is responsible for almost half of the 10.4 million deaths of children under five years old in developing countries.
Food insecurity
Food insufficiency means not having enough food to meet the minimum daily dietary requirements. Many countries struggle to produce sufficient food to feed their growing populations. They often lack the economic resources to buy food from exporting countries, leading to food insecurity and hunger. Droughts and floods further worsen the situation by reducing crop yields. As a result, millions of people in these countries suffer from hunger and malnutrition.
Poverty
In developing countries, people are facing difficulties in producing enough food to meet their own needs. To fulfill the demand for food, these countries must import additional food. However, even if there is enough food available, some people may still struggle to access it.
Inequality
In many developing countries, there is a cultural preference for men over women, which puts women at a higher risk of malnutrition throughout their lives. This risk starts at a young age, as girls often receive less food compared to boys, even though their nutritional needs are the same during the first 10 years of life.
Risk of infection
When the body is malnourished, the immune system, which normally protects us from foreign organisms and toxins, doesn't work properly. This can weaken the body's ability to resist infections and harmful substances.
