When you do not get enough or have too many nutrients in your body, you can become malnourished. Hence, some people are lucky enough to eat a healthy meal every day. But some people do not have that kind of advantage because of poverty.
So, what is it? Malnutrition meaning, a person who does not get enough nourishment in the body. In a survey, a large number of deaths happen in children under five years of age. It is because poor families cannot provide a healthy meal on their table. That is why most members of the family are not healthy.
These are the signs and symptoms of malnutrition:
1. No Appetite for Food or Drink
If you do not feel any desire to eat and drink anything. Even if it is the food that you like. Therefore, it is already a sign that there is something wrong with your body.
2. Feels Tired and Irritated
Little movements and physical activities already make you feel tired if you get irritated for no good reason.
3. Cannot Concentrate
When you do not eat, your brain finds it hard to concentrate. Likewise, it is because the brain is not receiving the number of nutrients it needs.
4. Depression
People who do not feel good lose their eagerness to eat. Your eating habit connects to your mental health.
5. Loss of Fat and Muscle Mass
If you have not eaten anything for days, your body will use up all the stored energy and fats. Hence, it results in your body, losing fat and muscle mass.
6. High Chances of Getting Sick
The nutrients in our food help in strengthening our body’s defense system. Malnutrition meaning, your body loses its ability to protect you from sickness.
7. Longer Healing Time for Wounds
If you do not have enough nutrients in your body, it will take longer for your wounds to heal. Moreover, the body does not have enough nutrients that help in healing the wounds.
8. Higher Chances of Complications After Surgery
Do not go into surgery if you are not healthy. It will put your life in danger because of the possible complications.
Aside from poverty, there are still some other causes:
· Not enough food available
In poor countries, it is hard for people to eat the right amount of food. These countries are the ones who need help. So that they would not die because they have no more food to eat.
· Mental Health Conditions
Eating disorders are also mental health problems. These illnesses prevent a person from eating healthy.
· Stomach problems
Having a stomach problem makes it hard for the stomach to digest and absorb nutrients from food. Our stomach plays a very important role in our nutrition.
· Drink too much alcohol
Drinking too much alcohol may result in long-term damage. One can develop an illness that can affect the blood sugar level. Also, alcohol contains calories, so you may not feel any hunger after drinking.
Forms of Malnutrition
· Undernutrition
There is not enough nutrition for the body. It makes a person lose weight in the unhealthiest way. A lot of malnourished people belong to this category.
· Obesity and overweight
Some people are too light or heavy for their age and height. Therefore, their amount of fats in the body is not normal.
Healthcare providers are the ones who run tests. Hence, it includes taking a patient’s body mass index, blood tests, and physical examination.
Prevention
To prevent and treat means addressing the root causes of it. Every day, many people are dying because they do not have access to food and water. Also, government agencies and non-profit organizations are working together to solve the problem. For instance, iron, zinc, iodine pills, and food supplements are effective ways to prevent it. Additionally, providing nutrition education to poor communities would allow them to learn about health.
Eating a variety of foods also help in preventing malnutrition. Your food should have carbs, proteins, and fats.
Women, infants, children, and young adults are the most at risk of malnutrition. Likewise, poor people have a higher chance to become malnourished. Which will only make it inconvenient for them. It would cost them a lot of money if they ever get sick. Visiting a doctor for a check-up and health advice is not an option for them.
