Eating less than you should? Watch out; you might be sliding towards malnutrition! A disparity between the body's dietary requirements and the nutrients you take leads to the complicated condition known as malnutrition. In other words, malnutrition is a condition in which a person's diet is deficient in essential nutrients.
So, even if you are taking ample nutrients, keep an eye out not to go overboard because malnutrition includes undernutrition—when people don't get enough calories, proteins, or vital vitamins and minerals—and overnutrition—when people consume too many calories and nutrients, which can result in obesity and other health problems. This imbalance weakens the immune system, interferes with growth and development, disturbs regular bodily processes, and makes people more prone to illness.
When taken in the right amounts, proteins, vitamins, minerals, and calories necessary for proper growth, development, and overall health comprise nutrients essential for your body. In India, malnutrition is a serious public health issue. It affects various segments of the population, especially children and women. Malnutrition can have major negative effects on health and, in certain situations, even be fatal if ignored.
So, here in this blog, we will understand what is malnutrition disease, its symptoms and causes, which foods can prevent it, and some associated diseases due to malnutrition. Keep reading to be informed!
Table Of Contents
- What Is Malnutrition Disease?
- What Are The Causes Of Malnutrition?
- What Are The Symptoms Of Malnutrition?
- What Are The Diseases Caused By Undernutrition?
- What To Eat To Prevent Malnutrition?
- Dietitian’s Recommendation
- The Final Say
- FAQs
- References
What Is Malnutrition Disease?
Malnutrition is a condition that occurs when the body does not get the right amount of nutrients it needs to stay healthy. It can occur in two main ways: undernutrition and overnutrition, and it indicates that one does not have a healthy body weight index.
Undernutrition happens when a person does not consume enough essential nutrients, which can lead to problems like stunted growth, weakness, and a weakened immune system. On the other hand, overnutrition occurs when someone eats too much or consumes unhealthy foods, leading to obesity and related health issues. Both forms of malnutrition can cause serious health problems and affect people of all ages.
Malnutrition can affect anyone, but it is especially common among children, pregnant women, and the elderly. Malnutrition may occasionally result in chronic health problems like diabetes or heart disease. Eating a balanced diet full of different foods rich in vitamins, minerals, and other important nutrients is essential to preventing malnutrition.
Also Read: Overweight Vs Obese: Which Is Worse? Discover Risk Factors, BMI And More!
What Are The Causes Of Malnutrition?
Let’s have a look at the causes of malnutrition in detail:
1. Inadequate Food Intake And Poor Food Quality
A lack or poor quality of diet is often the first thing people think of when they think of malnutrition. In vulnerable populations, poor maternal health and nutrition and inadequate infant and young child nutrition can result in malnutrition. Food insecurity, whether due to poverty or lack of access to healthy food, is a global problem.
Poor diet quality leads to malnutrition and can also result in overnutrition. Individuals who consume foods and beverages full of empty calories (high in calories, low in nutrients) and engage in less physical activity are more likely to develop overnutrition.
2. Medical Conditions And Digestive Disorders
Malnutrition can be seen in the following types of conditions:
- Medical Conditions That Deplete Calories: Chronic diarrhoea or cancer can cause wasting (low weight for height).
- Malabsorption And Poor Digestion: Poor nutritional absorption can be brought on by illnesses like pancreatic insufficiency or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Even with normal caloric intake and consumption of healthy foods, the body may not be able to digest and use nutrients properly. You can opt for ToneOp Care’s Digest 360 to enhance your digestion.
- Alcohol Use Disorder: Malnutrition can result from consuming too much alcohol since it depletes the body's supply of calories, protein, and other nutrients needed for normal bodily functions.
- Mental Health Conditions: Depression and other mental health conditions, including eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa, can increase the risk of malnutrition.
Also Read: Exercise and Mental Health: How Physical Activities Alleviate Symptoms of Anxiety And Depression
3. Socioeconomic Factors
Adverse socioeconomic factors such as little or no education, unemployment, low income, and lack of food or housing can all affect the nutritional status of children and adults. These factors include :
- Low Food Intake: Living with food insecurity and inadequate food intake is associated with the risk of malnutrition. When the body does not get enough protein, energy and nutrients, it can lead to weight loss, poor growth in children and nutritional deficiencies and imbalances.
- Social And Mobility Issues: Older adults who are frail, lack muscle strength, or have poor mobility are at increased risk of malnutrition. Mobility problems can impair meal preparation skills, while a lack of regular social engagement can increase the risk of depression and low appetite.
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What Are The Symptoms Of Malnutrition?
Depending on the kind and/or cause, malnutrition can present with a variety of signs and symptoms. Early symptoms can be challenging to recognise in most types of malnutrition. Symptoms of malnutrition include:
- Unintentional weight loss
- Slowed growth and development
- Overweight or obesity (excessive nutrition)
- Fatigue, weakness and apathy
- Poor immune function that causes frequent illness or infection
- Skin rashes, skin that bruises easily, or changes in skin colour
- Bleeding gums or other oral health problems
- Changes in the senses of taste, smell or sight
- Mood swings, anxiety
- Soft or delicate bones
- Hair thinning or hair loss
Symptoms of malnutrition may manifest differently in children than in adults. In particular, children may experience:
- Not growing or gaining weight at the expected rate (stunted growth)
- Changes in mood and behaviour, such as being unusually irritable, sluggish, or anxious
- Delayed intellectual development and behaviour
- Reduced energy and tiredness more quickly than other children
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What Are The Diseases Caused By Undernutrition?
Undernutrition, itself a medical condition, can be the reason for several other health ailments. Here are some of them:
1. Marasmus
Marasmus is a form of protein-energy malnutrition that affects infants and very young children, usually between the ages of 9 and 12 months. It is caused by a dietary deficit of energy (kcal or kJ) and protein. There are many possible causes and contributing factors to marasmus.
2. Kwashiorkor
Kwashiorkor is a form of protein-energy malnutrition. It affects weaned infants(infants transitioning from breast milk or formula to other foods), often around 1-3 years of age, and typically in relatively poor / developing countries.
3. Anaemia
In this condition, there is a deficiency of iron and/or vitamin B12 and related nutrients. Pernicious anaemia is a form of anaemia caused by a lack of vitamin B12, characterised by a disorder in the formation of red blood cells and the presence of megaloblasts in the bone marrow.
4. Beriberi
In this condition, the body lacks thiamin vitamin B1. There are two forms of beriberi:
- Wet Beriberi: involves the accumulation of tissue fluid.
- Dry Beriberi: when there is extreme emaciation.
5. Goitre
Goiter is caused by iodine deficiency and is characterised by swelling of the thyroid gland, which is located in the neck. Goitre in pregnancy is of particular concern because it can lead to cretinism in the developing fetus.
6. Pellagra
Pellagra results from a diet that includes niacin deficiency and tryptophan deficiency. So, there is no insufficiency of niacin, i.e., vitamin B3 causes pellagra.
7. Rickets
A lack of calcium or vitamin D causes it). It is a softening of the bones in children due to a dietary deficiency or disorder in the metabolism of vitamin D and the related minerals magnesium, phosphorus or calcium. Possible consequences include bone deformities and broken bones.
8. Scurvy
Scurvy is caused by a deficiency of vitamin C, also known as "ascorbic acid." The human body cannot produce vitamin C, which causes scurvy. So, when your body cannot get the right amounts of vitamin C, it may result in scurvy.
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What To Eat To Prevent Malnutrition?
Preventing or treating malnutrition involves addressing the main reasons behind it. Studies show that taking food supplements with iron, zinc, iodine, and other important nutrients can help reduce the risk of malnutrition. Since malnutrition happens when the body lacks essential nutrients, the treatment focuses on fixing these deficiencies. For example, ToneOp Fit’s 1-Year Transformation Plan offers a customised diet plan that can help people improve their eating habits and increase their nutrient intake. This plan encourages the consumption of easily accessible healthy foods to ensure proper nutrition.
To recover from malnutrition, people need to gradually increase their intake of proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and water. Often, doctors recommend vitamin or mineral supplements to help fill in the gaps. For those with protein-energy malnutrition, protein bars or other supplements like Alfalfa Powder or Spirulina Powder can help correct the deficiency. Malnourished individuals usually need to boost their calorie and protein intake. Including high-calorie foods, especially those with healthy fats, can help meet daily calorie goals and support recovery.
Foods high in healthy fat and calories include:
- Nuts and nut butter
- Seeds
- Avocado
- Olives
- Meat
- Oily fish
- Whole milk
- Yogurt and cottage cheese
- Coconut milk
- Olive, avocado or vegetable oil
- Whole grains
- Raw fruit
- Honey & Jaggery
Good sources of protein include:
- Meat
- Poultry
- Milk
- Legumes (beans, lentils and peas)
- Seeds
- Nuts and nut butter
- Egg
- Fish and seafood
- Protein powders
- Greek yoghurt
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Dietitian's Recommendation
Malnutrition results from an improper diet, which can include too few or too many nutrients. Treatment often involves supplementing calories and nutrients and correcting micronutrient deficiencies. So, bet on a well-balanced diet that contains multivitamins. It can prevent malnutrition and other problems, such as glossitis (tongue pain), anaemia, fatigue, diarrhoea, dermatitis, tingling hands, and many others.
Dt. Lavina Chauhan
The Final Say
So, now you must have found the answer to the question, “What is malnutrition disease?” Remember, it can be either overnutrition or undernutrition–both equally detrimental to health. Malnourished people may experience weight loss and other vitamin or mineral deficiencies. People with overnutrition are usually obese and overweight, which leads to insufficient absorption of micronutrients in the body.
If both types of health problems are not adequately addressed, they can lead to complex medical conditions that can be fatal. It is essential to speak to a doctor and start treatment immediately if a person shows symptoms of malnutrition.
You can also sign up for ToneOp Fit’s 360° Transformation Plan, which gives you customised diet and workout sessions by highly qualified diet coaches and fitness coaches that can help you achieve your ideal body weight.
FAQs
1. What are the most noticeable symptoms of malnutrition?
The most noticeable symptoms of malnutrition are:
- Unintentional weight loss (5-10% over 3 to 6 months)
- Appetite loss
- Constant tiredness or fatigue
- Weakness and low energy levels
- Frequent illnesses and longer recovery times
- Slow healing of wounds
- Poor concentration and difficulty focusing
- Hair thinning or loss
2. What is deficiency disease?
Deficiency disease is a health condition that occurs when the body lacks essential nutrients, such as vitamins or minerals. This can lead to various health problems, depending on which nutrient is missing.
3. What are the consequences of malnutrition?
The consequences of malnutrition are:
- Weight loss and loss of muscle function
- Cardiorespiratory dysfunction
- Gastrointestinal dysfunction
- Poor immunity and wound healing
- Negative psychosocial effects.
4. What prevents malnutrition?
The best way to prevent malnutrition is to eat a healthy diet that includes fruits and vegetables, starchy foods, and lean protein.
References
- https://www.verywellhealth.com/malnutrition-8628715
- https://testbook.com/ias-preparation/malnutrition-in-india#:~:text=Poverty%2C%20food%20insecurity%2C%20inadequate%20infant,nutritional%20outcomes%20through%20various%20interventions.
- https://www.ivyroses.com/HumanBiology/Nutrition/Undernutrition-Diseases.php
- https://www.thehealthsite.com/fitness/diet/national-nutrition-week-2018-eat-these-foods-to-prevent-malnutrition-av0918-598881/
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22987-malnutrition
- https://www.starhealth.in/blog/malnutrition
About ToneOp Fit
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