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Malnutrition

Nutrition - inadequate

 

Malnutrition is the condition that occurs when your body does not get enough nutrients.

Causes

 

There are many types of malnutrition, and they have different causes. Some causes include:

  • Poor diet
  • Starvation due to food not being available
  • Eating disorders
  • Problems with digesting food or absorbing nutrients from food
  • Certain medical conditions that make a person unable to eat

You may develop malnutrition if you lack a single vitamin in your diet. Lacking a vitamin or other nutrient is called a deficiency.

Sometimes malnutrition is very mild and causes no symptoms. Other times it can be so severe that the damage it does to the body is permanent, even though you survive.

Poverty, natural disasters, political problems, and war can all contribute to malnutrition and starvation, and not just in developing countries.

Some health conditions that are related to malnutrition are:

  • Malabsorption
  • Hunger
  • Beriberi
  • Binge eating
  • Deficiency - Vitamin A
  • Deficiency - Vitamin B1 (thiamine)
  • Deficiency - Vitamin B2 (riboflavin)
  • Deficiency - Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine)
  • Deficiency - Vitamin B9 (folacin)
  • Deficiency - Vitamin E
  • Deficiency - Vitamin K
  • Eating disorders
  • Kwashiorkor
  • Megaloblastic anemia
  • Pellagra
  • Rickets
  • Scurvy
  • Spina bifida

Malnutrition is a significant problem all over the world, especially among children. It is very harmful to children because it affects brain development and other growth. Children who suffer from malnutrition may have lifelong problems.

 

Symptoms

 

Symptoms of malnutrition vary and depend on its cause. General symptoms include fatigue, dizziness, and weight loss.

 

Exams and Tests

 

Testing depends on the specific disorder. Most health care providers will do a nutritional assessment and blood work.

 

Treatment

 

Treatment usually consists of replacing missing nutrients, treating symptoms as needed, and treating any underlying medical condition.

 

Outlook (Prognosis)

 

The outlook depends on the cause of the malnutrition. Most nutritional deficiencies can be corrected. However, if malnutrition is caused by a medical condition, that illness has to be treated in order to reverse the nutritional deficiency.

 

Possible Complications

 

If untreated, malnutrition can lead to mental or physical disability, illness, and possibly death.

 

When to Contact a Medical Professional

 

Discuss the risk of malnutrition with your provider. Treatment is necessary if you or your child have any changes in the body's ability to function. Contact your provider if these symptoms develop:

  • Fainting
  • Lack of menstruation
  • Lack of growth in children
  • Rapid hair loss

 

Prevention

 

Eating a well-balanced diet helps to prevent most forms of malnutrition.

 

 

Open References

References

Alderman H, Shekar M. Nutrition, food security, and health. In: Kliegman RM, Stanton BF, St. Geme III JW, Schor NF, Behrman RE, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics . 19th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2011:chap 43.

Becker JP, Carney LN, Corkins MR, et al. Consensus statement of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics/American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition: Indicators recommended for the identification and documentation of pediatric malnutrition (undernutrition). J Acad Nutr Diet . 2014;114(12):1988-2000.

Manary MJ, Trehan I. Protein-energy malnutrition. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman's Cecil Medicine . 25th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2015:chap 215.

 
  • Food guide plate

    Food guide plate - illustration

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture's newest food guide, called MyPlate, encourages consumers to make healthier food choices. The guide encourages you to eat less and avoid oversized portions. Half your plate should be filled with fruits and vegetables. At least half of your grains should be whole grains. You also should switch to fat-free or low-fat milk.

    Food guide plate

    illustration

    • Food guide plate

      Food guide plate - illustration

      The U.S. Department of Agriculture's newest food guide, called MyPlate, encourages consumers to make healthier food choices. The guide encourages you to eat less and avoid oversized portions. Half your plate should be filled with fruits and vegetables. At least half of your grains should be whole grains. You also should switch to fat-free or low-fat milk.

      Food guide plate

      illustration

    A Closer Look

     

      Self Care

       

      Tests for Malnutrition

       
         

        Review Date: 4/11/2015

        Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director and Director of Didactic Curriculum, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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