In my previous post on health and nutrition
I gave a brief introduction about what malnutrition is.
Now we are going to learn about types of malnutrition, how to recognise them, associated factors and how to prevent them.
Note that for Normal balanced nutrition and good weight there must be adequate nutrients, with a balance in what you eat and activities you do
the types are;
Protein Energy Malnutrition
Micronutrient deficiency and Obesity.
Protein Energy Malnutrition:-
Protein energy malnutrition is a type of under nutrition. In PEM, the intake of protein and other calorie giving food is inadequate compared to the body’s metabolic requirement.
PEM is a problem in many developing countries most commonly affecting children between the age of 6 months and 5 years. Some forms of protein energy malnutrition include kwashiorkor, marasmus and marasmic kwashiorkor. The clinical presentations in kwashiorkor include poor growth (underweight, stunting) body swelling , muscle wasting, mental apathy and irritability. Affected children with kwashiorkor could also have flaky skin dermatoses, reddish-brown discoloration of hair and easy pluckability of hair.
Children with marasmus have prominent wasting of subcutaneous fat and muscles, poor growth. Body swelling is absent and appetite is usually increased unlike in kwashiorkor. Mild skin and hair changes may be present in marasmic children.
MICRONUTRIENT Deficiency:-
Micronutrient also known as vitamins and minerals are essential components of high quality diet and have profound impact on health. Micronutrient deficiencies are also referred to as “hidden hunger” because they develop gradually over time and their devastating impact is not noticed until irreversible damage has been done. Consuming a diverse range of nutrient dense food alongside breast feeding is the ideal way for young children to get essential micronutrient in their diet.Iodine deficiency is the single most common preventable cause of mental retardation and brain damage. Iron deficiency is one of the most prevalent nutrient deficiency in the world affecting an estimated two billion people. About one-fifth of prenatal mortality in developing countries is attributable to iron deficiency.Vitamin A deficiency is the leading cause of blindness in children. Globally, about 21.2% of all children suffer vitamin A deficiency
Iron deficiency is the only nutrient deficiency significantly prevalent in industrialized counties. Iron deficiency and anaemia reduce the work capacity of individuals and entire populations, bringing serious economic consequences and obstacles to national development.
Obesity:-
Overweight and obesity are defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that may impair health. It is defined in terms of body mass index.
Childhood Obesity is defined as a body mass index (BMI) at above the 99th percentile for children and teens of the same age and sex.
In adult overweight is bmi >or=25kg/m squared and obesity bmi >or=30kg/m squared
Risk factors for obesity in infancy include lack of breastfeeding, early introduction of solid foods. Outside infancy, the general risk factors of obesity include high consumption of sweetened drinks and sedentary life style.
Associated social factors of malnutrition are:
Education, family size, feeding practices, household food security,etc
I'll like for you read and digest these.
My next post will elaborate the problems and how to prevent them.
Stay tuned...
To,be continued ....
Doc Daniel on the steam.
