What is Malnutrition?

The unbalanced diet which causes the condition of malnutrition may have nutrients either in inadequate amount (undernourished) or in excess amount (over nourished) than the required amount.

There are two types of Malnutrition: -
(1) Primary Malnutrition occurs on consuming the undernourished diet by a person which is mainly because of famine, poverty and limited crop production in a country. This type of Malnutrition mostly affects children. Primary Malnutrition is further divided into 2 types: -
(a) Kwashiorkor is a condition which arises due to the consumption of a low protein diet although the diet may contain sufficient amount of carbohydrates. Such diet includes mainly noodles and bread. The symptoms of this condition are stunned growth, skin rashes, edema and swelling due to water retention, etc.
(b) Marasmus is a condition which arises due to the consumption of both low protein and low carbohydrates diet. The symptoms of this condition are that child becomes very thin and diarrhea.

(2) Secondary Malnutrition occurs due to the presence of a medical disorder or condition which directly or indirectly affects the digestion, metabolism and absorption processes of the body so that person may lose interest in food or if consumes food than that food is either not digested or not absorbed properly which than results in lack of nutrients in the body. The diseases which may results in such condition are Beriberi, rickets, pellagra, scurvy and endemic goiter, etc.

Testing of Malnutrition depends on the specific condition and mostly includes nutritional assessments and testing of blood samples.

Treatment of Malnutrition usually consists of providing the nutrients which are insufficient in the diet, treating symptoms and treating the medical condition if any.

Complications of the Malnutrition may include mental or physical disability, illness, and possibly death.

Prevention of Malnutrition can be done only by consuming a good and well balanced diet.