29-08-2017, 08:59 AM
Malnutrition is a condition that results from eating a diet in which nutrients are not enough or are too high that diet causes health problems. It may include calories, protein, carbohydrates, vitamins or minerals. There are not enough nutrients called malnutrition or undernutrition, while too much is called overnutrition. Malnutrition is often used to refer specifically to malnutrition, where an individual is not getting enough calories, protein or micronutrients. If malnutrition occurs during pregnancy, or before two years of age, it can lead to permanent problems with physical and mental development. Extreme malnutrition, known as hunger, may have symptoms that include: short height, thin body, very low energy levels, and swollen legs and abdomen. People also tend to get infections and are often cold. Symptoms of micronutrient deficiencies depend on the micronutrient it lacks.
Undernourishment is often because there is not enough high quality food available to eat. This is often related to high food prices and poverty. Lack of breastfeeding can contribute, as can a number of infectious diseases such as gastroenteritis, pneumonia, malaria and measles, which increase nutrient requirements. There are two main types of malnutrition: protein-energy malnutrition and dietary deficiencies. Protein-energy malnutrition has two serious forms: marasmus (lack of protein and calories) and kwashiorkor (lack of protein). Common deficiencies of micronutrients include: lack of iron, iodine, and vitamin A. During pregnancy, due to the body's increased need, deficiencies may become more common. In some developing countries, over-nutrition in the form of obesity begins to present itself in the same communities as malnutrition. Other causes of malnutrition include anorexia nervosa and bariatric surgery.
Efforts to improve nutrition are among the most effective forms of development assistance. Breastfeeding can reduce rates of malnutrition and death in children, and efforts to promote practice increase breastfeeding rates. In young children, the supply of food (in addition to breast milk) between six months and two years improves the results. There is also good evidence to support the supplementation of a number of micronutrients to women during pregnancy and among young children in the developing world. To get food to the people who need it the most, both food delivery and the provision of money so that people can buy food in the local markets are effective. Simply feeding the students at school is insufficient. Managing severe malnutrition within the person's home with ready-to-use therapeutic foods is possible most of the time. In those who have severe malnutrition complicated by other health problems, treatment in a hospital is recommended. This often involves the administration of low blood sugar and body temperature, addressing dehydration and gradual feeding. Routine antibiotics are generally recommended because of the high risk of infection. Longer-term measures include: improving agricultural practices, reducing poverty, improving sanitation and empowering women.
By 2015 there were 793 million undernourished people in the world (13% of the total population). This is a reduction of 216 million people since 1990, when 23% were malnourished. In 2012 it was estimated that another billion people lacked vitamins and minerals. In 2015, protein-energy malnutrition was estimated to have resulted in 323,000 deaths-from 510,000 deaths in 1990. Other nutritional deficiencies, including iodine deficiency and iron deficiency anemia, result in an additional 83,000 deaths. In 2010, malnutrition was the cause of 1.4% of all disability-adjusted life years. It is believed that about a third of deaths in children are due to malnutrition, although deaths are rarely labeled as such. In 2010 it was estimated that it had contributed to about 1.5 million deaths in women and children, although it is estimated that the number could be more than 3 million. An additional 165 million children are estimated to have delayed the growth of malnutrition by 2013. Malnutrition is more common in developing countries. Some groups have higher rates of malnutrition, including women, particularly during pregnancy and lactation, children under five and the elderly. In the elderly, malnutrition becomes more common due to physical, psychological and social factors.
Undernourishment is often because there is not enough high quality food available to eat. This is often related to high food prices and poverty. Lack of breastfeeding can contribute, as can a number of infectious diseases such as gastroenteritis, pneumonia, malaria and measles, which increase nutrient requirements. There are two main types of malnutrition: protein-energy malnutrition and dietary deficiencies. Protein-energy malnutrition has two serious forms: marasmus (lack of protein and calories) and kwashiorkor (lack of protein). Common deficiencies of micronutrients include: lack of iron, iodine, and vitamin A. During pregnancy, due to the body's increased need, deficiencies may become more common. In some developing countries, over-nutrition in the form of obesity begins to present itself in the same communities as malnutrition. Other causes of malnutrition include anorexia nervosa and bariatric surgery.
Efforts to improve nutrition are among the most effective forms of development assistance. Breastfeeding can reduce rates of malnutrition and death in children, and efforts to promote practice increase breastfeeding rates. In young children, the supply of food (in addition to breast milk) between six months and two years improves the results. There is also good evidence to support the supplementation of a number of micronutrients to women during pregnancy and among young children in the developing world. To get food to the people who need it the most, both food delivery and the provision of money so that people can buy food in the local markets are effective. Simply feeding the students at school is insufficient. Managing severe malnutrition within the person's home with ready-to-use therapeutic foods is possible most of the time. In those who have severe malnutrition complicated by other health problems, treatment in a hospital is recommended. This often involves the administration of low blood sugar and body temperature, addressing dehydration and gradual feeding. Routine antibiotics are generally recommended because of the high risk of infection. Longer-term measures include: improving agricultural practices, reducing poverty, improving sanitation and empowering women.
By 2015 there were 793 million undernourished people in the world (13% of the total population). This is a reduction of 216 million people since 1990, when 23% were malnourished. In 2012 it was estimated that another billion people lacked vitamins and minerals. In 2015, protein-energy malnutrition was estimated to have resulted in 323,000 deaths-from 510,000 deaths in 1990. Other nutritional deficiencies, including iodine deficiency and iron deficiency anemia, result in an additional 83,000 deaths. In 2010, malnutrition was the cause of 1.4% of all disability-adjusted life years. It is believed that about a third of deaths in children are due to malnutrition, although deaths are rarely labeled as such. In 2010 it was estimated that it had contributed to about 1.5 million deaths in women and children, although it is estimated that the number could be more than 3 million. An additional 165 million children are estimated to have delayed the growth of malnutrition by 2013. Malnutrition is more common in developing countries. Some groups have higher rates of malnutrition, including women, particularly during pregnancy and lactation, children under five and the elderly. In the elderly, malnutrition becomes more common due to physical, psychological and social factors.