Malnutrition
Malnutrition is a condition that results from eating a diet in which one or more nutrients are either not enough or are too much to the point that such diet causes health problems. It is a category of diseases that is an imbalance between the nutrients the body needs and the nutrients it gets which includes undernutrition and overnutrition. However, the term malnutrition is commonly used to refer to undernutrition only.
According to WHO (World Health Organisation), malnutrition refers to deficiencies, excesses, or imbalances in a person’s intake of energy and/or nutrients. The term malnutrition addresses 3 broad groups of conditions:
- Undernutrition, which includes wasting (low weight-for-height), stunting (low height-for-age) and underweight (low weight-for-age);
- Micronutrient-related malnutrition, which includes micronutrient deficiencies (a lack of important vitamins and minerals) or micronutrient excess; and
- verweight, obesity and diet-related noncommunicable diseases (such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes and some cancers).
Malnutrition in every form, presents significant threats to human health. Today the world faces a double burden of malnutrition that includes both undernutrition and overweight, especially in low- and middle-income countries.
Undernutrition is a term used to describe deficiency of calories or of one or more essential nutrients. The lack of specific nutrients in your diet may be caused by different factors such as: not having enough to eat, not eating enough of the right things, unbalanced intake of nutrient, or being unable to use the food that one does eat. For example: even the lack of one vitamin can lead to malnutrition. Also, undernutrition is sometimes used as a synonym of protein–energy malnutrition (PEM). Two forms of PEM are kwashiorkor and marasmus, and they commonly coexist but kwashiorkor is less common than marasmus.
Overnutrition is consumption of too many calories or too much of any specific nutrient like carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, mineral, or any other dietary supplement.
Poor nutrition is a chronic problem often linked to poverty, food security or a poor understanding of nutrition and dietary practices.
"When the body is in trouble, we must find and eliminate the cause, not medicate the symptom." ~ Nina Leavins
Did You Know?
Obesity means having too much body fat. It is different from being overweight, which means weighing too much. The weight may come from muscle, bone, fat, and/or body water. Both terms mean that a person's weight is greater than what's considered healthy for his or her height.Factors that might affect your weight include your genetic makeup, overeating, eating high-fat foods, and not being physically active.
Obesity increases your risk of diabetes, heart disease, stroke, arthritis, and some cancers. If you have obesity, losing even 5 to 10 percent of your weight can delay or prevent some of these diseases.
Children grow at different rates, so it isn't always easy to know when a child has obesity or is overweight.
"Our nation overeats. We put toxic fake food into our bodies, but wonder why we're sick. We continue a vicious cycle of consuming the wrong foods and drinks along with a stressful lifestyle, yet question why cancer is so rampant. " ~ Dana Arcuri
