Malnutrition

We explain what malnutrition is and what the consequences of child malnutrition are. Also, how to prevent malnutrition.

Malnutrition can be caused by poor absorption of nutrients.

What is Malnutrition?

Malnutrition refers to poor nutrition, diet deficient in calories, nutrients, proteins, iron and others substances necessary for the body. Malnutrition can also be caused by poor absorption of nutrients due to disease. Cases of malnutrition occur more often in underdeveloped countries or in people who belong to lower social classes.

The difference between malnutrition and malnutrition is that malnutrition is caused by a deficiency in nutrient intake that are necessary while in malnutrition there is a deficiency, an imbalance or excess in the intake of the nutrients that our body needs.

See also: Obesity

Child malnutrition

Malnutrition in children It can even begin in the womb and an extreme case can end in Kwashiorkor (protein insufficiency) or Marasmus (calorie deficit in the diet that causes extreme weakness).

The consequences of childhood malnutrition, to name a few, are:

  • Shorter than normal height,
  • Pallor,
  • Thinness,
  • Slow intellectual development,
  • Greater tendency to contract diseases,
  • Greater chances of being obese as adults,
  • Anemia and decalcification in women.

The General symptoms that can be seen are fatigue, weight loss and dizziness.

Other characteristics of malnourished children are that they are not animated, they tend to cry easily, they do not show appetite, among others. Children with these characteristics will become adults with certain physical and mental impairments.

Malnutrition can be detected through blood tests and seeing the normal values ​​of height and weight according to age. Currently there is a growth index created by the WHO that establishes the growth that would be normal for children up to five years of age. Those who follow this pattern have healthy and normal growth.

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We speak of chronic malnutrition in infants, children or adolescents when there is a delay in growth that is expected for an age. This type of malnutrition can be moderate or severe, depending on the degree that has been recorded. This malnutrition It also speaks of a certain socio-economic level since it is closely linked to poverty.

According to the nonprofit organization Doctors Without Borders, each year between three and five million children under six years of age die from malnutrition.

How to prevent malnutrition?

Malnutrition
A good, varied and nutritious diet can prevent malnutrition.

Geographically speaking, malnutrition has areas of preference. The most affected regions of the world are Latin America, Africa (excluding South Africa), the Middle East, Asia (except Japan and Russia) and the countries of Oceania (except New Zealand and Australia).

The only way to prevent malnutrition is a good, varied and nutritious diet This should include cereals, fruits and vegetables, foods of animal origin, such as meat, chicken, eggs, dairy products, etc.

When a woman begins a pregnancy, she must nourish herself well and accumulate reserves, and While you are pregnant you should try to eat well throughout the day respecting meal times and making snacks.

As far as babies under six months are concerned, they should only consume breast milk. Food must be prepared with the highest possible hygiene standards, keeping not only the instruments to be used clean, but also the place and the hands that handle food. Finally, pregnant mothers and children should regularly visit a doctor.