Malnutrition

Malnutrition refers to deficiencies, excesses, or imbalances in a person’s intake of energy and/or nutrients, affecting every body system. It includes undernutrition (not getting enough nutrients) and overnutrition (consuming more than needed).

The condition arises from poor diet, food insecurity, impaired nutrient absorption, or medical conditions like Crohn’s disease, cystic fibrosis, or cancer. Medications causing nausea or appetite loss, mental health issues like depression, and reduced mobility also contribute.

Malnutrition weakens immune function, delays wound healing, wastes muscle tissue, and causes physical and mental fatigue. In children, it leads to growth failure, stunting, delayed development, impaired intelligence, and increased lifetime risks of osteoporosis. Specific micronutrient deficiencies cause distinct problems: iron deficiency leads to anemia, vitamin A deficiency causes night blindness, and vitamin D deficiency results in rickets.

In pregnant women, malnutrition increases risks of diabetes, heart disease, and stroke in the baby later in life. Elderly individuals face higher vulnerability to infections, complications, falls, and even death.

Treatment involves nutritional assessment, balanced diet planning, addressing underlying causes, and sometimes supplements or medical nutrition therapy. Early detection and intervention are critical to prevent long-term complications and restore health. Globally, malnutrition remains a major public health challenge requiring coordinated efforts in food security, education, and healthcare.