What Causes Malnutrition?

Malnutrition in India

Ø  Chronic malnutrition decreased from 48% percent in 2005-06 to 38.4% in 2015-16.

Ø  India has one of the highest demographics of children suffering from malnutrition. 

Ø  44% of children under the age of 5 are underweight and almost 75% of the children suffer from anemia.

Ø  The percentage of underweight children decreased from 42.5% to 35.7% over the same period.

Ø  Anaemia in young children decreased from 69.5% to 58.5% during this period.

Types of Malnutrition Include:

•             Kwashiorkor (protein malnutrition predominant)

•             Marasmus (deficiency in calorie intake)

•         Marasmic kwashiorkor (marked protein deficiency and marked calorie insufficiency signs present, sometimes referred to as the most severe form of malnutrition.

Kwashiorkor

Protein-energy undernutrition is sometimes called protein-energy malnutrition. The body has a severe calorie or protein deficiency. Protein-energy undernutrition doesn’t occur due to short-term illnesses. It’s more likely due to malnutrition over a long period.

The symptoms of under-nutrition include:

Ø  edema, or puffy or swollen appearance due to fluid retention

Ø  bulging of the abdomen

Ø  an inability to grow or gain weight

Ø  fatigue

Ø  diarrhea

Ø  reduced appetite

Ø  irritability

Ø  hair loss

Ø  bruises

Marasmus:

Marasmus occurs more often in young children and babies. It leads to dehydration and weight loss. Starvation is a form of this disorder. The symptoms of marasmus include:

•           weight loss

•           failure to grow, or stunted growth.

•           dehydration

•           chronic diarrhoea

•           stomach shrinkage

•           acute loss of body fat and muscle tissues, leading to an unusually low body mass index                        (BMI).

•          Similarly, their bones become visible under their skin, and folds of skin develop from the loss              of body mass.

•            Their eyes may appear sunken.

Cause of both of these conditions include:

Ø  famine

Ø  a caregiver’s inability to get food due to lack of transportation or a physical inability

Ø  living in poverty

Ø  having an eating disorder

Ø  lacking education about dietary needs

Ø  taking medication that interferes with the absorption of nutrients

Ø  having a medical condition that increases your body’s need for calories

Treatment:

Ø  Marasmus is a life-threatening medical emergency. When symptoms appear, the person needs treatment straight away.

Ø  Rapid weight loss, infections, and sudden changes in behavior or appetite could be signs of an underlying problem, such as an eating disorder or a chronic health condition.

Ø  A medical professional will need to prepare a specific eating plan for anyone with a diagnosis of marasmus.

Ø  A diet treatment that is rich in nutrients, carbohydrates, and calories is essential . They will need more calories than is usual for their age.

Ø  One solution is for doctors to provide food in small amounts and possibly through tubes to the veins and stomach. These tubes allow for food and fluid to be delivered quickly and directly to the body.

Ø  Kwashiorkor can be corrected by eating more protein and more calories overall, especially if treatment is started early.

Ø  Calories in the form of carbohydrates, sugars, and fats is given. Once these calories provide energy, you will be given foods with proteins.