Malnutrition: How Nutrients Imbalance Affect The Body
Malnutrition is usually linked to starvation or hunger; however, these terms differ from each other. Talking about malnutrition – it is getting too little or too much of certain nutrients, causing an imbalance of nutrition in the body. On the other hand, starvation or hunger is the lack of food intake or insufficient energy intake, which happens due to the unavailability of food. So, do not use these terms interchangeably next time because they are far different. Let’s read this blog to learn possible information about malnutrition, a serious health problem.
Meaning Of Malnutrition
Malnutrition occurs when the body lacks nutrition or the right balance for optimal health. These two conditions are also called types of malnutrition. Here are two different types-
Undernutrition – This type of malnutrition caused due to insufficient protein intake, calories, and micronutrients. It may be distributed in subcategories, like –
- Stunting – Short height compared to age, evidence of chronic undernutrition.
- Wasting – Less weight compared to height, showing acute undernutrition.
- Underweight– Low weight compared to age, a general sign of undernutrition.
- Micronutrient Deficiencies- Lack of essential vitamins and minerals such as iron, vitamin A, and iodine.
Overnutrition – Overconsumption of certain nutrients, such as protein, calories, and fat, can lead to malnutrition. Here are its two subcategories-
- Overweight and obesity – Excess body fat due to overconsumption of calories.
- Diet-related noncommunicable diseases – For example, heart disease, diabetes, and certain other conditions
Symptoms of Malnutrition
The symptoms of malnutrition depend on the type. Let’s discuss the signs of undernutrition/overnutrition malnutrition.
Undernutrition
The typical results of undernutrition malnutrition are-
- Weight loss
- Loss of muscle fat and mass
- Hollow cheeks
- Swollen eyes
- Dry hair and skin
- Slow wound healing
- Irritation
- Depression or anxiety
- Fatigue
- Difficulty in concentration
Undernutrition leads to several health problems, which can increase the risk of death. According to the reports, undernutrition caused the death of 165 million children in 2011.
Overnutrition
The major signs of overnutrition are obesity and being overweight. Research shows that people who are overweight and obese are more likely to have improper eating habits and low levels of certain vitamins. Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and stroke are some health problems associated with overnutrition.
Causes Of Malnutrition
Besides less and overconsumption of nutritious foods, environmental and medical conditions are among the factors that contribute to malnutrition.
- Some conditions, such as Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, and bacterial overgrowth in the intestine, cause malnutrition.
- Excess alcohol consumption can lead to an imbalance of protein, calories, and nutrition, which can cause undernutrition.
- Depression and mental health conditions can increase the risk of malnutrition.
- One of the reasons for this health problem is the lack of knowledge and ability to prepare quality and nutritious-loaded food.
Prevention And Treatment Of Malnutrition
While malnutrition treatment may vary depending on its type, prevention involves monitoring the diet and being well-informed about the disease.
Best Ways to Prevent Malnutrition Disease
1. Balanced diet
- Variety of foods- Include the consumption of a wide range of foods from all food groups, including fruits, vegetables, grains, proteins, and dairy.
- Nutrient-dense foods- Focus on foods that are loaded with vitamins and minerals, such as leafy vegetables, nuts, seeds, lean meat, etc.
- Portion control – Besides consuming a variety of nutrients in food, it is important to avoid overeating to prevent obesity and overweight.
2. Micronutrient supplement
- Supplements – Having malnutrition supplements for pregnant women, children, and elderly people to avoid the risk of the disease.
- Fortified Foods – Adding fortified foods with essential nutrients, such as iodine, iron, Vitamin A, and folic acid, to your diet can prevent the risk of disease.
3. Participate in health seminars.
- Food education – Attend health seminars to learn about various health problems and their prevention.
- Promote breastfeeding – Encourage exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of the child, followed by continuing it with appropriate complementary foods.
4. Regular Monitoring & Follow Up
- Regular Checkups – Conduct regular checkups to monitor the nutritional status of the individuals and identify malnutrition disease at an early stage.
5. Improve Hygiene and Sanitation
- Clean water – Drink clean and filtered waterborne to prevent waterborne diseases that can cause malnutrition.
- Practice proper sanitation – Follow sanitation rules to reduce the risks of infection and diseases that can lead to malnutrition.
Treatment of Malnutrition Disease
1. Medical & nutrition intervention
- Therapeutic foods – Consume ready-to-use foods if you are diagnosed with severe malfunction symptoms.
- Hospital care – Seek medical facilities immediately for severe cases.
2. Focus on diet
- Add nutrient foods to diet- Apart from the medication, some foods also contribute to malnutrition treatment. Starchy grains like bread, rice, pasta, and fruits and vegetables like tomatoes, watermelon, kale, spinach, etc, can help in balancing the vitamins and minerals in the body.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What foods fight malnutrition
Fruits, vegetables, milk and dairy products, meat, fish, and beans are some foods that fight malnutrition. However, you need to keep the quantity in mind to prevent the overnutrition malnutrition problem.
2. What is the fastest way to recover from malnutrition?
The best way to recover from the disease quickly is to follow a balanced diet, live a healthy lifestyle, snack between meals, and adjust your diet according to the type of malnutrition you are suffering from.
3. What Vitamin is good for malnutrition?
Children with malnutrition need Vitamin B supplements, especially B6 and B12. Brown rice, chicken, dark green leafy vegetables, and bananas are a few foods rich in Vitamin B.
4. Can multi-vitamin capsules fix malnutrition?
It is important to remember that multivitamin capsules can not fill the nutrition gap. You must incorporate a well-balanced diet into your routine to get the required vitamins and minerals to correct malnutrition. However, a multivitamin capsule can support your treatment.
5. How much B12 can I consume per day?
You can consume 2.4 micrograms of Vitamin B12 as an adult and teen. Children aged 9-13 years of age group are recommended to have 1.8 mcg, and those in the 4-8 age group should consume 1.2 mcg of Vitamin B12 per day.