What are the causes and consequences of malnutrition?

What are the causes and consequences of malnutrition?

Causes of malnutrition include inappropriate dietary choices, a low income, difficulty obtaining food, and various physical and mental health conditions. Undernutrition is one type of malnutrition . It occurs when the body does not get enough food. It can lead to delayed growth, low weight, or wasting.

What problems are associated with malnourished children?

Such effects of malnutrition include increased vulnerability to diseases, developmental delays, stunted growth and even blindness.

What are signs of malnutrition in a child?

Symptoms of malnutrition in a child can include:

• not growing or putting on weight at the expected rate (faltering growth)
• changes in behaviour, such as being unusually irritable, slow or anxious.
• low energy levels and tiring more easily than other children.

What can malnutrition lead to?

Malnutrition refers to getting too little or too much of certain nutrients. It can lead to serious health issues, including stunted growth, eye problems, diabetes and heart disease.

What happens if malnutrition is not treated?

If untreated, malnutrition can lead to mental or physical disability, illness, and possibly death.

What food is best for malnutrition?

Treating malnutrition

• Eat ‘little and often’ – 3 small meals a day with 2-3 snacks in-between meals.
• Include protein at each meal such as meat, fish, chicken, eggs, beans or lentils.
• Avoid low fat, sugar-free, diet foods and drinks for example skimmed milk.

What precautions should be taken against malnutrition?

Prevention of malnutrition

• Bread, rice, potatoes, and other starchy foods.
• Milk and dairy foods – Vital sources of fats and simple sugars like lactose as well as minerals like Calcium.
• Fruit and vegetables – Vital sources of vitamins and minerals as well as fiber and roughage for better digestive health.

What are the two types of malnutrition?

There are two major types of malnutrition:

• Protein-energy malnutrition – resulting from deficiencies in any or all nutrients.
• Micronutrient deficiency diseases – resulting from a deficiency of specific micronutrients.

What is the most common type of malnutrition?

There are two main types of undernourishment: protein-energy malnutrition and dietary deficiencies. Protein-energy malnutrition has two severe forms: and kwashiorkor (a lack of protein) and marasmus (a lack of protein and calories).

What is malnutrition answer?

Malnutrition refers to deficiencies, excesses or imbalances in a person’s intake of energy and/or nutrients.

How do you fight malnutrition in your community?

14 steps to eradicating malnutrition in 15 years

1. Make unhealthy food more expensive.
2. Lobby for more nutrition indicators.
3. Embrace partnerships.
4. Share experiences.
5. Reach out to politicians.
6. Build resilience to climate change.
7. Advocate for better data.
8. Demonstrate links between nutrition and society.