Malnutrition is the inadequate intake or absorption of nutrients necessary to satisfy the energy needs for the normal functioning of the body or for the growth of the organism, in the case of children. It is a more serious condition in the elderly, children or pregnant women that can even lead to death, if very severe, when the body mass index is less than 18 kg / m2.
Malnutrition generally occurs in people with economic difficulties or inhabitants of underdeveloped countries, such as Africa, causing, especially, child malnutrition.
Malnutrition can lead to diseases such as anemia, lack of iron, hypothyroidism, iodine deficiency or xerophthalmia, in the reduction of vitamin A, for example. Therefore, people must have a balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle to avoid malnutrition. See how to have a healthy diet.
Calculating BMI
The Body Mass Index (BMI) can assist in the diagnosis of malnutrition, for example. See your BMI, ideal weight and some tips that can improve the quality of life.
Malnutrition symptoms
The main symptom of malnutrition is loss of body weight, but other symptoms are:
- Frequent diarrhea; Excessive tiredness; Difficulty concentrating; Lack of appetite; Decreased body temperature; Apathy or irritability; Generalized swelling.
In the most severe cases of malnutrition, weakening of the immune system can occur, resulting in frequent infections.
Child malnutrition
Child malnutrition can be seen mainly by altering the child's growth, lack of strength in the muscles and swelling of the abdomen and legs. Depending on the nutritional cause and symptoms, child malnutrition can be classified into three types:
- Marasmus, which is characterized by the primary deficiency of lipids and carbohydrates, which causes the child to have little or no fat and lose weight quickly - understand what it is and what the signs and symptoms of marasmus are; Kwashiorkor, in which there is a deficiency of proteins and vitamins, leading to swelling of the abdomen, dry skin and hair and, in some cases, an enlarged liver; Dwarfism, in which the child's growth is compromised by the lack of essential nutrients.
It is important to observe the child's development and the presence of symptoms indicative of malnutrition so that appropriate actions can be taken together with the pediatrician and nutritionist, avoiding permanent damage. Know the dangers of malnutrition.
How the treatment is done
The treatment for malnutrition is done with a gradual increase in the amount of calories ingested, avoiding intestinal changes, such as diarrhea. Thus, between 6 and 12 meals a day are made with little amount of food.
As treatment progresses, the number of meals is reduced, while the amounts of food at each meal are increased, depending on the patient's adaptation. However, when the individual is unable to eat solid foods, diets or liquid supplements can be used to ensure the necessary nutrients. In the most severe cases, hospitalization may be necessary for the patient to be fed nutrients directly into the vein or through a gastric tube. Causes of malnutrition
Main causes
The main causes of malnutrition are:
- Lack of access to food; Problems in metabolism or absorption of nutrients, such as diarrhea, anorexia or diabetes; Use of drugs that decrease the absorption of nutrients, such as chemotherapy; Situations that increase the need for nutrients, such as high fever or burns.
Another frequent cause of malnutrition is to eat diets low in certain nutrients, as in the case of some vegetarians or fad diets.
