Whilst when nutrient intake is less than nutrient requirement, undernutrition occurs. There is currently no country in the world that has not experienced an increase in the rates of malnutrition. Although it can affect both adults and children, it is more likely to result in disease and death in children than in adults. Malnutrition can lead to short- and long-term health problems, slow recovery from wounds and illnesses and a higher risk of infection.
There are different forms of undernutrition which are wasting, stunting, underweight and deficiencies in vitamins and minerals.
One child in every five in Ghana experiences stunted growth during the first thousand days of life caused by inadequate nourishment, frequent illness and an unhealthy environment. This is according to UNICEF Ghana. Stunting is defined as low height-for-age. It is the result of chronic or recurrent undernutrition, usually associated with poverty, poor maternal health and nutrition, frequent illness and/or inappropriate feeding and care in early life. Stunting prevents children from reaching their physical and cognitive potential. It can be defined as a type of malnutrition.
Overnutrition is described as excess nutrient and energy intake over time. It is a form of malnutrition if it leads to morbid obesity. Overnutrition can lead to overweight, obesity, high blood pressure, Insulin resistance and heart disease in the affected individuals. People are consuming more energy dense foods and doing less physical activity. Nutrient excesses are either discharged or excreted by the body. And nutrient excesses which are not excreted are usually stored in the form of fat thus resulting in obesity.
Macronutrient undernutrition
Also called protein-energy undernutrition, this is a deficiency of macronutrients: proteins, carbohydrates and fats. Macronutrients are the main building blocks of your diet, the nutrients that your body relies on to produce energy to maintain itself. Without them — or even just one of them — your body soon begins to fall apart, breaking down tissues and shutting down nonessential functions to conserve its low energy.
Micronutrient undernutrition
Micronutrients are vitamins and minerals. Your body needs these in smaller amounts, but it does need them, for all types of functions. Many people are mildly deficient in certain vitamins and minerals from a lack of variety in their diet. You might not notice a mild vitamin deficiency affecting you, but as micronutrient undernutrition becomes more severe, it can begin to have serious and lasting effects.
Causes
Malnutrition can be caused by poverty, ignorance, chronic health conditions that influence nutrient absorption and utilization. Malnutrition can occur when one is recovering from health situations where extra energy is needed such as post surgery, from burns or serious injuries, etc.. Other causes include eating disorders, mental disease and malabsorption of nutrients...
Signs and symptoms
A malnourished person may have:
-Low body weight, prominent bones, depleted fat and muscle.
-Thin arms and legs with edema (swelling with fluid) in your belly and face.
-Stunted growth and intellectual development in children.
-Weakness, faintness and fatigue.
-Irritability, apathy or inattention.
-Dry, inelastic skin, rashes and lesions.
-Brittle hair, hair loss and hair pigment loss.
-Frequent and severe infections.
-Low body temperature, unable to get warm.
-Low heart rate and blood pressure.
-Obesity.
-High blood pressure.
-Insulin resistance.
-Heart disease.
Treatment
The most effective means of treating malnutrition is by altering the diet. Diet changes include:
-Eating right nutrients in right quantities.
-Eating regularly
-Exercising regularly.
-Having enough rest.
-Eating fortified foods that are high in the needed nutrients.
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