Malnutrition- Consequences, Causes, Prevention and Control

Prof. Harshraj. S. ShindeK. K. Wagh College of Agril. Biotech, Nashik. India

Introduction

• Malnutrition is defined as imbalance between the body’s need and the intake of nutrients, which can lead to nutritional disorders.

• So intake of nutrients in proper amount is needed

Types of Malnutrition

• Malnutrition is divided into two main types 1. Under-nutrition2. Over-nutrition

In under-nutrition nutrients are undersupplied, and in over-nutrition nutrients are over supplied both causes nutritional disorders.

Causes of Malnutrition

Disorders due to Malnutrition

Protein-energy malnutrition

Under nutrition of vitamins and minerals

Obesity

Kwashiorkor Marasmus

Under nutrition of vitamins and minerals

Under nutrition of minerals

• Calcium– Rickets

• Iodine deficiency– Goiter

• Iron deficiency– Anemia

• Zinc– Growth retardation

Under nutrition of vitamins

• Thiamine (Vitamin B1)– Beriberi

• Niacin (Vitamin B3)– Pellagra

• Vitamin C– Scurvy

• Vitamin D– Rickets

Kwashiorkor Between 1-3 years old childrens

Etiology:• Very low protein but w/calories from CHO• In places where starchy foods are main staple• Never exclusively dietary

Symptoms1. Edema2. Muscle wasting3. Hair changes4. Depigmentation of skin5. Moonface

Marasmus

Common in the 1st year of life

Etiology: “Balanced starvation” Insufficient breast milk Dilute milk mixture or lack of hygiene

Symptoms:1. Muscle wasting2. Growth retardation3. Mental changes4. No edema5. Variable-subnormal temp, 6. Often diarrhea

Thiamine (Vitamin B1) Deficiency Beriberi

Biochemically, there is accumulation of pyruvic and lactic acid in body fluids causing:

1. Cardiac dysfunction such as cardiac enlargement esp right side, edema of interstitial tissue.

2. Degeneration of myelin & of axon cylinders resulting in peripheral neuropathy and

3. weakness of eye movement, ataxia of gait and mental disturbance

Thiamine Deficiency (Beriberi)

Two forms:

1. Wet beriberi: generalized edema, acute cardiac symptoms and prompt response to thiamine administration

2. Dry beriberi: edema not present and neurological

Thiamine Deficiency (Beriberi)

Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) Deficiency

Functions:1. Acts as coenzyme of flavoprotein important in a. a., f. a. &

CHO metabolism & cellular respiration

2. Needed also by retinal eye pigments for light adaptation

Riboflavin Deficiency

Niacin (Vitamin B3) Deficiency Pellagra

Etiology:

1. Diets low in niacin &/or tryptophan2. Amino acid imbalance or as a result of malabsorption3. Excessive corn consumption

Symptoms4. weakness, irritability & dizziness5. dermatitis, diarrhea & dementia6. Dermatitis may develop insidiously to sunlight or heat

a. First appears as symmetrical erythemab. Followed by drying, scaling & pigmentation w/ vesicles & bullae at

times7. diarrhea, Mental changes include depression, irritability,

Niacin Deficiency (Pellagra)

Goiter

• A goiter is a swelling of the neck resulting from enlargement of the thyroid gland, associated with a thyroid gland that is functioning properly or not.

• Causes due to iodine deficiency

Anemia

• Iron-deficiency anemia is a common anemia caused by insufficient dietary intake and absorption of iron, and/or iron loss from bleeding which can originate from a range of sources such as the intestinal, uterine or urinary tract.

• Iron deficiency causes approximately half of all anemia cases worldwide, and affects women more often than men.

 This can result if:• The body does not make enough red blood cells• Bleeding causes loss of red blood cells more quickly than they can be

replaced

Rickets

• Rickets is a softening of bones in immature mammals due to deficiency or impaired metabolism of vitamin D, phosphorus or calcium.

• Rickets is among the most frequent childhood diseases in many developing countries.

• The predominant cause is a vitamin D deficiency, but lack of adequate calcium in the diet may also lead to rickets (cases of severe diarrhea and vomiting may be the cause of the deficiency).

Prevention of malnutrition

• Use of modern agricultural techniques to increase the agricultural production

• Proper education to peoples regarding importance of food

• Enrichment of food

• Fortification of food

• Genetic engineering for the development of new varieties eg- golden rice

Cont…

• Government projects to provide healthy food to infants and pregnant woman

• Staple food should available at very cheap rate

• Common people should adopt rotation in food

• Use of probiotic microorganism in food

• Global public health and disease control measures.