MALNUTRITION

Gay Debonaire B. Tarala

MALNUTRITION
Malnutrition is a broad term which refers to both under nutrition (sub nutrition) and over nutrition. Individuals are malnourished, or suffer from under nutrition if their diet does not provide them with adequate calories and protein for maintenance and growth, or they cannot fully utilize the food they eat due to illness. People are also malnourished, or suffer from over nutrition if they consume too many calories.

 Malnutrition can also be defined as the insufficient, excessive or imbalanced consumption of nutrients. Several different nutrition disorders may develop, depending on which nutrients are lacking or consumed in excess. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), malnutrition is the gravest single threat to global public health. Sub nutrition occurs when an individual does not consume enough food. It may exist if the person has a poor diet that gives them the wrong balance of basic food groups

 Obese people, who consume more calories than they need, may suffer from the sub nutrition aspect of malnutrition if their diet lacks the nutrients their body needs for good health. Poor diet may lead to a vitamin or mineral deficiency, among other essential substances, sometimes resulting in scurvy - a condition where an individual has a vitamin C (ascorbic acid) deficiency. Though scurvy is a very rare disease, it still occurs in some patients - usually elderly people, alcoholics, or those that live on a diet devoid of fresh fruits and vegetables. Similarly, infants or children who are on special or poor diets for any number of economic or social reasons may be prone to scurvy.

Individuals who are socially isolated

People on low incomes (poor people) People with chronic eating disorders, such as bulimia or anorexia nervosa People convalescing after a serious illness or condition

Malnutrition is "Faulty nutrition resulting from mal-absorption, poor diet, or overeating." Under-nutrition is "A form of malnutrition resulting from a reduced supply of food or from inability to digest, assimilate, and use the necessary nutrients."

Signs and symptoms of malnutrition (sub-nutrition) include:

Loss of fat (adipose tissue)

Breathing difficulties, a higher risk of respiratory failure Depression Higher risk of complications after surgery Higher risk of hypothermia - abnormally low body temperature

 In more severe cases: Skin may become thin, dry, inelastic, pale, and cold Eventually, as fat in the face is lost, the cheeks look hollow and the eyes sunken Hair becomes dry and sparse, falling out easily Sometimes, severe malnutrition may lead to unresponsiveness (stupor) If calorie deficiency continues for long enough, there may be heart, liver and respiratory failure Total starvation is said to be fatal within 8 to 12 weeks (no calorie consumption at all)

 Children - children who are severely malnourished typically experience slow behavioral development, even mental retardation may occur. Even when treated, under-nutrition may have long-term effects in children, with impairments in mental function and digestive problems persisting; in some cases for the rest of their lives. Adults whose severe undernourishment started during adulthood, usually make a full recovery when treated

What are the causes of malnutrition?

Poor diet Mental health problems Mobility problems Digestive disorders and stomach conditions Alcoholism Food shortages Food prices and food distribution Lack of breastfeeding

What are the treatment options for malnutrition?

The care plan -aims for treatment will be set out, which should include the treatment for any underlying conditions/illnesses which are contributory factors to the malnutrition Diet - a good healthcare professional will discuss eating and drinking with the patient and provide advice regarding healthy food choices. The aim is to make sure the patient is receiving a healthy, nutritious diet

Preventing malnutrition Carbohydrates Fruit and vegetables Protein Dairy - vegans are able to find abundant nutrients from non-animal sources Fats The average human should drink at least 1.2 liters of fluid per day.

FOOD PYRAMID

NUTRITION

The process of nourishing or being nourished, especially the process by which a living organism assimilates food and uses it for growth and for replacement of tissues. The science or study that deals with food and nourishment, especially in humans. A source of nourishment; food.

six major classes of nutrients

Carbohydrates

Fats Minerals Protiens Vitamins Water

FOOD PYRAMID