What is Malnutrition?
Proven and demonstrated that malnutrition contributes approximately 60% of the underlying causes of sufferings and deaths that paints the world red."
Malnutrition is recognized by government as one of the most important factors in development, welfare, social and health challenges being faced all across the globe especially by infants, children, women and the elderly as well as one of the leading cause of death among children under age five. It is equally recognized as both the cause and consequence of poverty, disease and mortality.
It is important to be acquainted with the proper meaning of the term ‘malnutrition’ :
Malnutrition is the condition that develops when the body does not get the right amount of the vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients it needs to maintain healthy tissues and organ function.
Malnutrition occurs in people who are either under-nourished or over-nourished. Under nutrition is a consequence of consuming too few essential nutrients or using or excreting them more rapidly than they can be replaced.
Infants, young children and teenagers need additional nutrients. So do women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Nutrient loss can be accelerated by diarrhea, excessive sweating, heavy bleeding (hemorrhage), or kidney failure. Nutrient intake can be restricted by age-related illnesses and conditions, excessive dieting, severe injury, serious illness, a lengthy hospitalization, or substance abuse.
The leading cause of death in children in developing countries is protein-energy malnutrition. This type of malnutrition is the result of inadequate intake of calories from proteins, vitamins and minerals. Children who are already undernourished can suffer from protein-energy malnutrition when rapid growth, infection, or disease increases the need for protein and essential minerals.
The number of people throughout the world who suffer from nutritional deficiencies as a result of inadequate dietary intake is uncertain, but even the most conservative estimates place that figure at hundreds of millions; many experts consider the actual number to approach 2 billion.
