Show Malnutrition is when a person’s diet does not provide enough nutrients or the right balance of nutrients for optimal health. Causes of malnutrition include:
Undernutrition is one type of malnutrition. It occurs when the body does not get enough food and enough necessary nutrients. It can lead to:
If a person does not get the right balance of nutrients, they can also have malnutrition. It is possible to have obesity with malnutrition. When a person has too little food, a limited diet, or a condition that stops their body from obtaining the right balance of nutrients, it can severely impact their health. In some cases, this can become life threatening. This article looks at malnutrition in detail, including the causes, symptoms, and treatments. Share on PinterestMaskot/Getty Images Malnutrition is an imbalance in dietary intake. It occurs when a person has too much or too little food or essential nutrients. A person with malnutrition may lack vitamins, minerals, and other essential substances that their body needs to function. People may become malnourished if they do not eat enough food overall. However, people who eat plenty but do not have enough variation in their diet can also become malnourished. Malnutrition can lead to:
Some deficiencies can trigger specific health problems. For example: Lack of vitamin AAround the world, many children develop vision problems due to a lack of vitamin A. Lack of vitamin CA lack of vitamin C can result in scurvy. Scurvy is rare in the United States (U.S.), but it can develop if a person does not have a varied diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables. Fresh, frozen, and canned fruits and vegetables all contain vitamin C. People who are particularly at risk of scurvy include:
An overall deficiencyMalnutrition can lead to marasmus, which is a severe form of malnutrition. Marasmus is a deficiency of protein and overall energy intake. A person with marasmus will have very little muscle or fat on their body. OvernutritionOvernutrition is another type of malnutrition. It occurs when a person takes in more nutrients than they need. The result may be an accumulation of body fat from the excess nutrients, resulting in overweight or obesity. Overnutrition has several health implications. People who have overweight or obesity are at greater risk of:
The rate of overnutrition is growing worldwide. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that in 2020, 5.7% of children under 5 were overweight, an increase from 5.4% in 2000. In addition, the number of adults with obesity almost tripled worldwide from 1975 to 2016. Some signs and symptoms of malnutrition include:
Eventually, a person may also experience heart failure. Symptoms in adults vs. childrenChildren may present with different malnutrition symptoms than adults. In children, there may be:
Treatment is possible. In some cases, however, malnutrition can have long-term effects. Malnutrition can occur for various reasons. The sections below outline these potential causes in more detail. Low intake of foodSome people develop malnutrition because there is not enough food available, or because they have difficulty eating or absorbing nutrients. This can happen as a result of:
Mouth problems such as poorly fitting dentures may also contribute to malnutrition. Mental health conditionsUndernutrition or malnutrition can affect people with:
Social and mobility problemsFactors that can affect a person’s eating habits and potentially lead to malnutrition include:
Digestive disorders and stomach conditionsIf the body does not absorb nutrients efficiently, even a healthful diet may not prevent malnutrition. Examples of digestive and stomach conditions that may cause this include: Alcohol use disorderConsuming a lot of alcohol can lead to gastritis or long-term damage to the pancreas. These issues can make it hard to:
Alcohol also contains calories, so a person may not feel hungry after drinking it. They may, therefore, not eat enough healthful food to supply the body with essential nutrients. In some parts of the world, widespread and long-term malnutrition can result from a lack of food. In wealthier nations, however, those most at risk of malnutrition include:
A few key signs of malnutrition indicate that it is time for a person to seek care from a doctor. These signs include:
Likewise, a person should encourage a loved one to see a doctor if they show signs of malnourishment. Some people may not recognize the symptoms in themselves, while loved ones sometimes can. If a person shows or notices any symptoms or signs of malnutrition, the first step is to find out why. If a doctor suspects Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, or another condition, they may evaluate the patient’s condition by:
Treating underlying conditions can improve a person’s nutritional status. A healthcare professional may also carry out the following:
A tool to identify riskSome tools can help identify people who have or are at risk of malnutrition. One way to assess adults is by using the Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST). 2018 research has shown this to be a reliable tool. Experts designed this tool to identify adults, especially older adults, with malnourishment or a high risk of malnutrition. It is a five-step plan to help healthcare professionals diagnose and treat these conditions. The five steps are as follows:
The score will be one of the following:
Doctors only use MUST to identify overall malnutrition or the risk of malnutrition in adults. The test will not identify specific nutritional imbalances or deficiencies. Nutritional deficiency anemia can result if a person’s diet cannot provide the nutrients they need. Learn more about it here. If a doctor diagnoses malnutrition, they will make a treatment plan for the person. The person may also need to meet with a dietician and other healthcare professionals. Treatment will depend on the severity of the malnutrition and the presence of any other underlying conditions or complications. It may include:
In severe cases, a doctor may administer nutrients intravenously (through an IV). The person’s healthcare team will continue to monitor them to ensure they get the nutrition they need. To prevent malnutrition, people need to consume a range of nutrients from various food types. Older adults, young children, people with severe or chronic illness, and others may need additional care to obtain the nutrients they need. Anyone who starts to show signs of malnutrition or undernutrition should see a doctor for a diagnosis and treatment. In the U.S., effective treatment is usually available, although the outlook and time needed for recovery will depend on the cause of the malnutrition. Malnutrition is the result of an improper diet. It can result from too few nutrients (undernutrition) or too many nutrients (overnutrition). People who experience undernutrition often have:
But malnutrition is not the result of poor diet choices in every case. Sometimes, malnutrition occurs because a person:
Helping patients treat malnutrition is an important goal for many healthcare professionals. Together, a doctor and patient can review possible causes of malnutrition and help develop more nutrient-dense eating plans. Last medically reviewed on May 5, 2022 Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. |