Science:Malnutrition

• Malnutrition is lack of proper nutrition
• It is a result of either not having enough to eat
• Or not eating enough of certain nutrients that the body requires or
• Eating too much of a certain type of nutrient of food component
• It is a result of a person not eating a balanced diet for a prolonged period
• The human body becomes malnourished when it does not receive enough of the right kinds of food
• It can also be a result of under-nourishment
• This is when a person does not eat enough food
• Malnutrition can lead to diseases such as kwashiorkor

Kwashiorkor

Kwashiorkor. Image credit chronicle.co.zw

Causes

• It is a result of protein deficiency
• This is when a child does not eat enough
• It is common in children under the age of five (5)

Symptoms

• The abdomen swells/An abnormally swollen belly
• The skin cracks and becomes scaly
• The hair takes a reddish/brown colour
• Thin limbs (also known as Oedema in the limbs)
• The child becomes very weak
• Stunted growth

Effects of kwashiorkor

• Prolonged protein deficiency may affect the liver
• Stunted growth
• Retards brain development

Obesity

A person with obesity. Image credit laseanrinique.com

• Malnutrition can also be caused by taking too much of a certain kind of food
• High carbohydrates intake results in the excess food being stored as fat under the skin
• The person eating too much carbohydrates may gain weight and become obese
• Obesity is a form of malnutrition

Symptoms

• The person is overweight
• The person might also have rolls of fat on their body

Effects

• Increased risk of developing diseases such as
• Heart diseases
• Type 2 diabetes
• Bone and Joint diseases

Curing malnutrition

• Most forms of malnutrition can be corrected by eating a balanced diet
• Obesity can be cured by exercises and eating a balanced diet.

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