.png)
Undernutrition
- Snigdha Suresh
- Mar 27
- 2 min read
Undernutrition is the insufficient intake of energy and nutrients for the human body to function properly. It is a physical condition characterized by insufficient nourishment. It can affect people in 4 different ways.
1. Wasting:
It is defined as low weight-for-height. It is a sign of acute malnutrition in children. It happens when a child has experienced short periods of undernutrition resulting in loss of fat tissues and muscles. In such a case, the child’s energy levels are higher and the ability to absorb and retain nutrients is limited.
2. Stunting:
It is the impaired growth and development that a child experiences due to undernourishment and repeated infections. It is when a child’s growth is stunted and they are at a height lower than the normal for their age. It is a result of chronic undernutrition, usually due to poverty, poor maternal health or inappropriate feeding or care during early stages of life. It can also affect the child’s development in other areas such as cognitive, language and sensory-motor capacities.
3. Underweight:
It is also called protein energy malnutrition. It is defined as low-weight-for age. It is either due to inadequate energy or protein intake. In adults, it may be a result of loss of appetite, anorexia, inability to swallow etc.
4. Micronutrient deficiencies:
It is defined as the lack of nutrients like vitamins and minerals that are required for growth and development in a human body.
The best way to prevent it is to have access to clean water sources, proper sanitation facilities and a good healthcare system. Increasing the access to food, improving agricultural productivity, and reducing food waste are ways to avoid the root of hunger.
Resources:
Comments