You may have heard the term “malnutrition” and are curious about what it entails.
First, it’s important to realize malnutrition can be a serious condition. It doesn’t just mean a person is hungry. Malnutrition occurs when there is a deficiency of certain vital nutrients in a person’s diet. The deficiency fails to meet the demands of the body, which can impact growth, physical health, mood, behavior and other functions of the body. Malnutrition commonly affects children and the elderly.
So, what are the signs of malnourishment? You need to know the markers. The most common symptom of malnutrition is weight loss. For example, those who lose up to 10 percent of their body weight in three months without dieting are considered to be malnourished.
Fatigue, lack of energy, lack of strength, breathlessness, anemia, changes of skin, hair and nails are common in adults with malnutrition. Children with malnutrition additionally show irritability, inability to concentrate, failure to grow to their expected height and stunted growth.
In short, malnutrition is a condition that should not be minimized. Malnutrition is a problem all over the world, which means it is a problem that affects all of us. Join us in our effort to provide proper nutritional support to undernourished children around the world.