Malnutrition is a term given to over-nutrition and under-nutrition. One is said to be malnourished when their diet does not contain enough proteins and calories to facilitate healthy growth. Also, it can happen when the body is unable to make full utilization of the available nutrients as a result of being ill. Malnutrition is also definable as the imbalanced consumption of nutrients. 

There are several varying nutritional disorders that can develop based on the absence of nutrients or availability in excess. This article seeks to focus more on under-nutrition.

What Causes Malnutrition?

1. Medical Conditions

Some medical conditions that can lead to malnutrition include:

• Eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa
• Schizophrenia, depression or any mental health issue that affects one’s ability to look after himself
• Health conditions that require one to be admitted into a hospital frequently
• Conditions that cause lack of appetite such as liver disease, cancer, nausea and persistent pain
• Dementia – it causes inability to communicate
• Health conditions that disrupt the body’s natural ability to absorb nutrients or digest foods
• Being on different types of medication at once
• Health conditions that cause swallowing to be painful
• Constant diarrhea and vomiting
• An increase in demand for body energy to heal wounds. Can also be caused by involuntary movements like tremors

2. Physical Problems

These include:

• Loss of appetite due to loss of the sense of taste and smell 
• Experiencing eating difficulties from bad teeth condition or poorly fitting dentures
• Physical disabilities that may make it difficult to shop for food and cook for yourself

3. Social Reasons

These include:

• Little knowledge about cooking and nutrition
• Poverty or low income
• Social isolation and living alone
• Reduced mobility
• Drug and alcohol dependency

Who Is At High Risk of Malnutrition?

All over the world, including in developed and industrialized countries, there are groups of people who are most vulnerable to malnutrition. These include:

• Low income earners
• Elderly individuals, more so the ones hospitalized or in care institutions on long term basis
• People suffering from chronic eating disorders like anorexia nervosa or bulimia
• Socially isolated people
• People recuperating after suffering from a serious condition or illness

Symptoms of Malnutrition 

Adults

Adults who lose between 5-10% in their total weight over a period of 6 months or less without dieting are at high risk of malnutrition. Weight loss may not be obvious and may occur slowly over a period. You will notice this when your clothes no longer fit as they used to.

Other signs include:

• Taking too much time to recover from infections
• Suffering from exhaustion most of the time and feeling like you lack energy
• Delays in healing of wounds
• Inability to keep warm
• You develop irritability
• Poor concentration
• Depression
• Persistent diarrhea

Children

Some symptoms include:

• Slow growth rate in height and weight
• Changing in the color of the skin and hair
• Behavioral changes like development of anxiety, sluggishness and irritability

Other Red Flags

Apart from weight loss, malnutrition can also cause easy bruising, poor healing of wounds and also dental difficulties.

When to Seek Medical Care

You can know whether you are malnourished by measuring your BMI. This determines if you are in a healthy weight for your height. Visit your doctor if your BMI is below 18.5 or if you lose more than 5% of your total body weight in less than 6 months.

 It is important for your child’s height and weight to be assessed by a GP as often as possible. This is essential in the first few years of growth. Contact your doctor if you have any concerns about your child’s growth rate.

Watch this video to learn more about the signs, causes and correction measures for malnutrition:

Treatments for Malnutrition 

1. Home Remedies

• Take calcium supplement

Calcium is one of the things one lacks in the diet when they suffer from malnutrition. This makes calcium a good home remedy. Since foods rich in calcium can cause lactose intolerance, calcium supplements are preferable. It ensures you get better and also strengthens your bones. 

• Have iron supplement

This is one of the most important supplements that lacks in most diets. By taking iron supplements as a home remedy, you get rid of the possibility of suffering from the side effects of iron deficiency. Also, taking iron supplements ensures that your body gets enough levels of iron as most foods only supply a small amount.

• Use vitamin therapy

While suffering from malnutrition, the body lacks important nutrients, which include vitamins. Therefore, taking vitamins supplements when you are recovering from malnutrition is good for your health. Taking multi-vitamin supplements or specific vitamins that lack in your food is recommended. 

• Eat balanced meals

The correct balance for a meal should include carbohydrates, vegetables, fruits, dairy, fats and protein. The average person is supposed to consume at least 1.2 liters of fluid each day.

2. Medical Treatments

• Supplement missing nutrients

It is important to replace nutrients that may be missing in your diet. You should consume a balanced diet at all times, and you may require increasing the number of calories in your diet at different intervals. At times, you may need nutritional supplements or liquid nutrition, all depending on how severe your malnutrition case is. If it is a severe case, hospitalization may be required.

• Treat underlying medical problems

If you have an underlying medical condition that is causing the malnutrition, you must treat it to prevent prolonged nutrient loss. Also, chronic loss of nutrients can cause medical conditions that require treatment.

• Pay attention to eating habits and conditions

Most cases of malnutrition are caused by physical, environmental or psychological reasons. Therefore, prolonged observation may be needed to ensure that adequate amounts of nutrition are consumed. Pay close attention to nutrition and maintaining a balanced diet, more so if the medical condition demands a special diet.