Malnutrition Defined

What is malnutrition?

Nutrition status could be defined as the physiological condition of an individual that results from the balance between nutrient requirements and intake and the ability of the body to use these nutrients (Pridmore and Hill 2009). The term malnutrition is derived from to words, Mal and nutrition. Mal meals bad and therefore malnutrition can also be referred to as bad nutrition. Malnutrition /bad nutrition can be defined as a condition of impaired development caused by either a long-term deficiency or an excess in energy and nutrient intake (Ngozi and Tola, 2011). Malnutrition is defined as the cellular imbalance between the supply of nutrients, energy and the body’s demand for them to ensure growth, maintenance and specific functions (Olwedo et al., 2008). Malnutrition could also be defined as a state of nutrition in which a deficiency, excess or imbalance of energy, protein, or other nutrients, including minerals and vitamins , causes measurable adverse effects on body function and clinical outcome (Puntis,  2010). 

Classes of malnutrition

Malnutrition may either be under or over- nutrition where under-nutrition could be looked at as a condition in which the body does not have enough of the right kind of food to meet its energy, macro-nutrient (proteins, carbohydrates and fats) and micro-nutrients (vitamins and minerals) needs. On the other hand over-nutrition is a condition where the body has too much food, especially fats and sugars (Pridmore and Hill, 2009). This malnutrition may be due to abuse, neglect, famine, poverty, inadequate nutrition knowledge or disordered eating (Skipper, 2012). Children have a high demand for nutrients due the fact that they are rapidly growing; this puts them at a very high risk of being malnourished. This is evidenced by the high rates of child infection, inadequate complementary foods accompanied by very poor and unhygienic child-feeding practices (Bakusuba et al., 2009). The causes of malnutrition are many, complex and multidisciplinary and include dietary factors (prolonged breastfeeding, low energy of complimentary foods) and environmental factors (Turyashemererwa et al., 2009). Under-nutrition leads to children being overall undernourished (low weight for age), too thin/wasted (low weight for height) or too short/stunted (low height for age). Wasting is proved to result from an acute, significant food shortage and or disease; it’s also the strong predictor of mortality among children less than five years. Stunting usually results from mild chronic under-nutrition; it is increasingly used as the key measure of nutritional status in under two year old because it can lead to irreversible cognitive damage (Pridmore and Hill 2009). 

References

 

Ngozi,U,F., Tola,A., 2011. The silent and neglected crisis of malnutrition: scientifif evidence for taking decisive action. Global journal of health science. Vol. 3,No. 1; April 2011

Turyashemerera, F,M., Kikafunda,J,K., Agaba,E., 2009. Principles of early childhood malnutrition and influencing factors in peri urban areas of kabarole district, western Uganda. African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development / June, 2009

Olwedo. M.A., Mworozi.E., Bachou.H., Orach.G.C., 2008. Factors associated with malnutrition among children in internally displaced person's camps, northern Uganda. Afr Health Sci. 2008 December; 8(4): 244–252.

Pridmore, P., and Hill, C, R., 2009. Addressing the underlying and basic causes of child undernutrition in developing countries: What works and Why?

Bukusuba. J., Kikafunda ,J,K., and Whitehead, R,G., 2009.  Nutritional Status of Children (6-59 months) Among HIV-Positive mothers/caregivers living in an urban setting of Uganda. Volume 9, African Journal of food, Agriculture, nutrition and development. Published by African scholarly science communication trust.