MALNUTRITIONMALNUTRITION

WHAT IS WHAT IS MALNUTRITION?MALNUTRITION?

Malnutrition is:Malnutrition is: poor nutrition due to an insufficient, poorly poor nutrition due to an insufficient, poorly

balanced diet, faulty digestion or poor balanced diet, faulty digestion or poor utilization of foods. (This can result in the utilization of foods. (This can result in the inability to absorb foods.)inability to absorb foods.)

Malnutrition is not only Malnutrition is not only insufficientinsufficient intake intake of nutrients. It can occur when an individual of nutrients. It can occur when an individual is getting is getting excessiveexcessive nutrients as well. nutrients as well.

WHAT CAUSES WHAT CAUSES MALNUTRITION?MALNUTRITION?

Human beings need a Human beings need a wide variety of nutrients wide variety of nutrients to supply essential to supply essential energy. Do you know energy. Do you know what nutrients we need?what nutrients we need?

proteinprotein vitamins vitamins mineralsminerals

If any one of these If any one of these nutrients is deficient in a nutrients is deficient in a person's diet, he/she person's diet, he/she may suffer from may suffer from malnutritionmalnutrition

WHAT CAUSES WHAT CAUSES MALNUTRITION?MALNUTRITION?

(continued)(continued)Malnutrition also occurs when there is Malnutrition also occurs when there is an imbalance of energy and protein in an imbalance of energy and protein in an individual’s diet. The body may an individual’s diet. The body may become unable to absorb the nutrients become unable to absorb the nutrients it requires to function properly.it requires to function properly.

**For example, if a child is suffering from For example, if a child is suffering from energy and protein malnutrition, they will energy and protein malnutrition, they will most likely have deficiencies in iron, most likely have deficiencies in iron, calcium, and other vitamins and minerals.calcium, and other vitamins and minerals.

WHO IS AFFECTED BY WHO IS AFFECTED BY MALNUTRITION?MALNUTRITION?

Individuals who are dependent on others Individuals who are dependent on others for their nourishment. (infants, children, for their nourishment. (infants, children, the elderly, prisoners)the elderly, prisoners)

Mentally disabled or ill because they are Mentally disabled or ill because they are not aware of what to eat.not aware of what to eat.

People who are suffering from People who are suffering from tuberculosis, eating disorders, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, eating disorders, HIV/AIDS, cancer, or who have undergone surgical cancer, or who have undergone surgical procedures are susceptible to procedures are susceptible to interferences with appetite or food uptake interferences with appetite or food uptake which can lead to malnutrition.which can lead to malnutrition.

BUT DO YOU KNOW THE BUT DO YOU KNOW THE NUMBER ONE FACTOR THAT NUMBER ONE FACTOR THAT

CAUSES MALNUTRITION?CAUSES MALNUTRITION?

POVERTY!

POVERTY…POVERTY… Nearly 3 billion people in the world are living on Nearly 3 billion people in the world are living on

less than $1 a day. They have little access to less than $1 a day. They have little access to their basic needs, including adequate nutrition to their basic needs, including adequate nutrition to help their bodies stay in balance. Poverty may help their bodies stay in balance. Poverty may also prevent individuals from accessing also prevent individuals from accessing education, which can lead to misinformation education, which can lead to misinformation about adequate nutrition.about adequate nutrition.

Effects of malnutritionEffects of malnutritionNutritional deficiencies can contribute Nutritional deficiencies can contribute

to various diseases which can be to various diseases which can be found everywhere, but most often go found everywhere, but most often go without cures/treatment in Less without cures/treatment in Less Developed Countries (LDCs).Developed Countries (LDCs).

Kwashiokor/MarasmusKwashiokor/Marasmus Kwashiokor, which means “disease of the displaced Kwashiokor, which means “disease of the displaced

child” in the Ga language of Ghana is a protein child” in the Ga language of Ghana is a protein deficiency which results is characterized by deficiency which results is characterized by inability to gain weight, diarrhea, lethargy and a inability to gain weight, diarrhea, lethargy and a swollen belly. Kwashiokor can lead to comatose as swollen belly. Kwashiokor can lead to comatose as well as death.well as death.

Similarly, Marasmus is a disease resulting from Similarly, Marasmus is a disease resulting from protein deficiency which affects chidlren early in protein deficiency which affects chidlren early in life (typically in the 1life (typically in the 1stst year) slowing growth, year) slowing growth, decreasing weight and hindering proper decreasing weight and hindering proper development.development.

Nutrition supplements, rehydration and education Nutrition supplements, rehydration and education all can all serve to cure and prevent these diseases.all can all serve to cure and prevent these diseases.

BeriberiBeriberi Beriberi is a thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency Beriberi is a thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency

which is common in South East Asia where many which is common in South East Asia where many diets consist solely of white rice. diets consist solely of white rice.

Beriberi affects the proper functioning of the Beriberi affects the proper functioning of the nervous system as well as the circulatory system nervous system as well as the circulatory system and heart.and heart.

Pregnancy, breast feeding mothers and those who Pregnancy, breast feeding mothers and those who are ill with fever may have a heightened are ill with fever may have a heightened dependency on thiamine and may develop a dependency on thiamine and may develop a deficiency.deficiency.

Thiamine is best acquired through foods such as Thiamine is best acquired through foods such as pork, beef and whole grain (unrefined) breads and pork, beef and whole grain (unrefined) breads and grains.grains.

PellagraPellagra Pellagra ”rough skin” is a niacin (or Pellagra ”rough skin” is a niacin (or

Tryptophan) deficiency which often Tryptophan) deficiency which often results in the “3 Ds”; diarrhea, results in the “3 Ds”; diarrhea, demetia and dermatitis. demetia and dermatitis.

The large scale consumption of corn The large scale consumption of corn has resulted in many cases of pellagra has resulted in many cases of pellagra because corn is poorly absorbed in because corn is poorly absorbed in the body. The best sources of Niacin the body. The best sources of Niacin are broccoli, eggs, dates, beef, are broccoli, eggs, dates, beef, salmon, seeds and peanuts.salmon, seeds and peanuts.

ScurvyScurvy Scurvy is a disease which is born of Scurvy is a disease which is born of

Vitamin C deficiency. It is Vitamin C deficiency. It is characterized by bleeding around characterized by bleeding around hair follicles, anemia and gingivitis. hair follicles, anemia and gingivitis.

Scurvy may occur in those who Scurvy may occur in those who consume large amounts of junk foods, consume large amounts of junk foods, smokers (as smoking depletes smokers (as smoking depletes Vitamin C) and those who don’t have Vitamin C) and those who don’t have proper access to sources of vitamin proper access to sources of vitamin C. Namely, the poor.C. Namely, the poor.

RicketsRickets Vitamin D deficiencies may result in Vitamin D deficiencies may result in

“Rickets” which is a lack of proper “Rickets” which is a lack of proper calcium characterized by poorly calcium characterized by poorly developed and deformed bones. developed and deformed bones.

Vitamin D can be best found in beef Vitamin D can be best found in beef products (especially cows milk) but is very products (especially cows milk) but is very low in breast milk. Thus, women in low in breast milk. Thus, women in developing countries are contributing to developing countries are contributing to this disease if their babies sole source of this disease if their babies sole source of nourishment is breast milk.nourishment is breast milk.