Transcript MALNUTRITION

CAUSES OF
MALNUTRITION
SUBMITTED BY—
MONIKA SHARMA
MSC. (FN) - 4TH SEM
DEFINATION 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 MALNUTRITION ?
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
MALNUTRITION?
Human beings need a wide variety of
nutrients to supply essential energy , which
are
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protein
vitamins
minerals
If any one of these nutrients is deficient in
a person's diet, he/she may suffer from
malnutrition
WHAT CAUSES MALNUTRITION ?
(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.
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WHO ARE AFFECTED BY
MALNUTRITION?
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Individuals who are dependent on others for their
nourishment. (infants, children, the elderly, prisoners)
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Mentally disabled or ill because they are not aware of
what to eat.
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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 Malnutrition
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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’;.
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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
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The nutrient : due to its natural properties may cause
malnutrition in some individuals
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Method of processing: due to improper processing or
refining nutrients like thiamine may be lost.
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Storage in the body: water soluble vitamins can be stored &
need to be replenished constantly.
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Cooking procedures: loss of nutrients may take place during
cooking due to oxidation or leaching.
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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…
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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.
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Lack of education: People of all income
classes & at all education levels lack knowledge
regarding the essentials of an adequate diet.
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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.
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Population growth: With the increasing
population agricultural should increase
correspondingly & it should be available at affordable
price to all to prevent malnutrition.
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Food security- Uneven distribution between the
countries & within the countries is the problem
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Unsafe Water and Poor Sanitation -- These
conditions lead to infectious diseases spreading,
causing childhood diarrhoea, which leads to major
malnutrition.
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Alcoholism–
 Individuals who suffer from alcoholism can develop gastritis, or
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pancreas damage
Impaired the process of digest food, absorb certain vitamins, and
produce hormones which regulate metabolism.
Reducing the patient's feeling of hunger .
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Lack of breastfeeding-
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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
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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 Foods
Consuming 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
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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
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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)
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Children 
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Children who are severely malnourished typically
experience slow behavioural development,
Mental retardation may occur.
Types of Malnutrition
1.
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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)
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Over nutrition
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Obesity
Chronic diseases (diabetes, hypertension, ...)
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Thank you !