CAUSES OF CAUSES OF MALNUTRITIONMALNUTRITION

SUBMITTED BY—SUBMITTED BY—MONIKA SHARMAMONIKA SHARMA

MSC. (FN) - 4MSC. (FN) - 4THTH SEM SEM

DEFINATION OF NUTRITIONDEFINATION OF NUTRITION

Nutrition is the provision of adequate energy and nutrients for the cells to perform their physiological function (of growth, reproduction, defence, repair, etc).

WHAT IS WHAT IS MALNUTRITION ?MALNUTRITION ?

Malnutrition is :Malnutrition is : Poor nutrition due to an insufficient, poorly balanced

diet, faulty digestion or poor utilization of foods. (This can result in the inability to absorb foods.)

Malnutrition is not only insufficient intake of nutrients. It can also occur when an individual is getting excessive nutrients as well.

WHAT CAUSES WHAT CAUSES MALNUTRITION?MALNUTRITION?

Human beings need a wide variety of nutrients to supply essential energy , which are

protein vitamins minerals

If any one of these nutrients is deficient in a person's diet, he/she may suffer from malnutrition

WHAT CAUSES WHAT CAUSES MALNUTRITION ?MALNUTRITION ?

(continued)(continued)Malnutrition also occurs when there is an imbalance of energy and protein in an individual’s diet. The body may become unable to absorb the nutrients it requires to function properly.

* For example, if a child is suffering from energy and protein malnutrition, they will most likely have deficiencies in iron, calcium, and other vitamins and minerals.

The main causes of malnutrition can be categorized under the headings host, agents and environment factors.

WHO ARE AFFECTED BY WHO ARE AFFECTED BY MALNUTRITION?MALNUTRITION?

Individuals who are dependent on others for their nourishment. (infants, children, the elderly, prisoners)

Mentally disabled or ill because they are not aware of what to eat.

People who are suffering from tuberculosis, eating disorders, HIV/AIDS, cancer, or who have undergone surgical procedures are susceptible to interferences with appetite or food uptake which can lead to malnutrition.

Host of MalnutritionHost of Malnutrition Growth: Malnutrition is high when rate of growth increases .

For example- growing children & pregnant women require high amount nutrients. If not satisfied in the diet, they may suffer from malnutrition’;.

Health: Infection & infestation also increase the requirement of nutrients.

Stress: Psychological stress may affect the intake of food. Old age: During old age, the nutrient requirements may affect

due to degenerative diseases or consumption of drugs. Metabolic defect: like insulin deficiency may affect

utilization of glucose. Sometimes children are born with a deficiency of lactase resulting lactose intolerance. A child deprived of milk may not be well nourished.

Agents of malnutrition The nutrient : due to its natural properties may cause malnutrition in some

individuals

Method of processing: due to improper processing or refining nutrients like thiamine may be lost.

Storage in the body: water soluble vitamins can be stored & need to be replenished constantly.

Cooking procedures: loss of nutrients may take place during cooking due to oxidation or leaching.

Unavailability: micro nutrients like iodine & fluorine if not present in the water endemic deficiency diseases can occur.

Environmental factors which are responsible for

Malnutrition

THE NUMBER ONE FACTOR THAT CAUSES

MALNUTRITION

POVERTY!

• POVERTY… POVERTY… Food is a problem for the poor at all levels-availability,

affordability, access & absorption. They have little access to their basic needs,

including adequate nutrition to help their bodies stay in balance. Poverty may also prevent individuals from accessing education, which can lead to misinformation about adequate nutrition.

Lack of education: People of all income classes & at all education levels lack knowledge regarding the essentials of an adequate diet.

Lack of time: A secondary cause of inadequate nutrition may be lack of leisure. Proper nutrition demands time for the preparation of meals & for their consumption.

The increasing employment of women in industry in large towns in the tropics is an important contributory cause of malnutrition in young children.

Population growth: With the increasing population agricultural should increase correspondingly & it should be available at affordable price to all to prevent malnutrition.

Food security- Uneven distribution between the countries & within the countries is the problem

Unsafe Water and Poor Sanitation -- These conditions lead to infectious diseases spreading, causing childhood diarrhoea, which leads to major malnutrition.

Alcoholism– Individuals who suffer from alcoholism can develop gastritis, or pancreas damage Impaired the process of digest food, absorb certain vitamins, and produce hormones

which regulate metabolism. Reducing the patient's feeling of hunger .

Lack of breastfeeding- lack of breastfeeding, especially in the developing world, leads to malnutrition in infants and children.

In some parts of the world mothers . Another reason for lack of breastfeeding, mainly in the developing world, is that mothers

abandon it because they do not know how to get their baby to latch on properly, or suffer pain and discomfort

Mental disorders—

Some patients with mental health conditions, such as depression, may develop eating habits which lead to malnutrition. Patients with anorexia nervosa or bulimia may develop malnutrition because they are ingesting too little food.

Digestive disorder and stomach condition • Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. Such patients may need to have part of the small intestine removed (ileostomy).

• Individuals who suffer from Celiac disease have a genetic disorder that makes them intolerant to gluten.

• Diarrhoea and/or vomiting may lose vital nutrients and are at higher risk of suffering from malnutrition.

Medications

• People who use certain types of medications may develop malnourishment because of changes in taste and appetite.

• People who take medications for high blood pressure osteoporosis or pain may experience side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, appetite suppression and stomach irritation. which can lead to malnourishment, especially in elderly people.

• Over-Consumption of Unhealthy FoodsConsuming more calories than needed can cause

malnutrition just as not eating enough calories. Over-consumption of unhealthy foods usually goes

along with deficiencies in essential vitamins and minerals.

For example, various food companies sometimes entice people to buy sugary and fatty foods, filled with empty calories and deficient in nutrients. This can result in weight problems and obesity to people .

Signs and symptoms of malnutrition Loss of fat (adipose tissue) Breathing difficulties, a higher risk of respiratory failure Depression Higher risk of complications after surgery Higher risk of hypothermia - abnormally low body temperature The total number of some types of white blood cells falls;

consequently, the immune system is weakened, increasing the risk of infections.

Higher susceptibility to feeling cold Longer healing times for wounds Longer recover times from infections Longer recovery from illnesses

++

Problems with fertility Reduced muscle mass Reduced tissue mass Tiredness, fatigue, or apathy Irritability In more severe cases: Skin may become thin, dry, inelastic, pale, and cold Eventually, as fat in the face is lost, the cheeks look hollow and the eyes sunken Hair becomes dry and sparse, falling out easily Sometimes, severe malnutrition may lead to unresponsiveness (stupor) If calorie deficiency continues for long enough, there may be heart, liver and

respiratory failure Total starvation is said to be fatal within 8 to 12 weeks (no calorie consumption at

all)

Children - Children who are severely malnourished typically

experience slow behavioural development, Mental retardation may occur.

Types of Malnutrition

1. Under nutrition Macronutrient deficiencies Protein Energy Malnutrition(PEM)

( Kwashiorkor & Marasmus ) Micronutrient deficiencies Thiamine deficiency ( Beri – Beri ) Niacin deficiency ( Pellagra ) Vitamin C deficiency ( scurvy) Vitamin D deficiency(rickets & Osteomalasia)

Over nutrition Obesity Chronic diseases (diabetes, hypertension, ...)

Thank you !Thank you !