What it is
Malnutrition means your body isn't getting enough calories, or the right balance of nutrients, to stay healthy. It can come from too little protein, carbohydrate and fat, too much unhealthy food, or too few vitamins and minerals. It can affect anyone, but children, older adults and people with long-term health problems are at higher risk.
Types
Most people think of undernutrition, but malnutrition also covers overnutrition and an imbalance of nutrients.
| Type | What happens |
|---|---|
| Protein-energy undernutrition (macronutrient undernutrition) | too little protein or too few calories; its two serious forms are kwashiorkor and marasmus |
| Imbalanced nutrition | enough calories, but not enough vitamins or minerals |
| Vitamin deficiency diseases | specific illnesses from missing vitamins — scurvy from too little vitamin C, rickets from too little vitamin D, anemia from too little iron or vitamin B12 |
| Failure to thrive | a child doesn't gain weight or grow as expected — from too little food, trouble absorbing nutrients, or other health problems |
| Overnutrition | too many calories or nutrients, which can lead to obesity and other problems |
Causes
- a diet lacking variety or specific nutrients;
- medical conditions such as malabsorption syndromes, dementia, eating disorders, depression, alcohol use disorder or cancer;
- trouble swallowing, digesting, or with the teeth;
- medicines that change how food tastes and smells;
- being unable to get or cook food, because of chronic illness, limited mobility or low income.
Who is at higher risk
People who know little about nutrition, can't get a variety of food, are older adults or children, have a low income, or have a long-term illness.
Symptoms
There may be none. When there are, they can include:
- fatigue and weakness, and dizziness;
- losing weight without trying, or low body weight;
- slow growth or development in children;
- frequent infections or slow healing;
- dry skin, or brittle hair and nails;
- swelling in the legs, feet or belly.
Diagnosis
Your provider may:
- screen your nutrition, asking about weight loss, appetite and your ability to eat;
- do a physical exam and order blood tests for signs of missing nutrients;
- refer you to a nutrition specialist, such as a dietitian.
Treatment and prevention
Treatment may mean improving your diet, replacing missing nutrients, and treating the underlying cause. To help prevent malnutrition, eat a healthy diet with many different foods. Talk with your provider if you're worried about your diet, weight loss, or your child's growth.
Sources
Based on "Malnutrition," MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine; a work of the United States government in the public domain.
Licence: CC0 1.0 (public domain) · Adapted from medlineplus.gov
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