Malnutrition
Source: MedlinePlus Health Topics, U.S. National Library of Medicine
What is malnutrition? Malnutrition means that your body isn't getting enough calories or the right balance of nutrients to stay healthy. This can happen if you don't get enough protein , carbohydrates , and fats , eat too much unhealthy food, or don't get the vitamins and minerals your body needs. Malnutrition can affect people of all ages, but children, older adults, and people with chronic (long-term) health problems have a higher risk. What are the types of malnutrition? Most people think of undernutrition with malnutrition. But malnutrition can refer to undernutrition, overnutrition, or an imbalance of nutrients. Types of malnutrition include: Protein-energy undernutrition , also called macronutrient undernutrition, happens when your body doesn't get enough protein or calories from food. Two serious forms of this are kwashiorkor and marasmus. An imbalanced nutritional status occurs when you are not getting the right mix of nutrients. You may get enough calories, but not enough vitamins or minerals. Vitamin deficiency diseases happen when your body doesn't get enough of certain vitamins. Without the right vitamins, your body cannot stay healthy and may develop specific diseases. For example, scurvy can develop from too little vitamin C , rickets from too little vitamin D , and anemia from too little iron or vitamin B12 . Failure to thrive occurs when children don't gain weight or grow as expected . This may be due to not getting enough food, trouble absorbing nutrients , or other health problems. Overnutrition can occur when your body gets too many calories or nutrients. This may lead to obesity or other health issues. What causes malnutrition? Malnutrition may occur for many reasons, including: An unbalanced diet that lacks variety or specific nutrients. Some medical issues, which could include malabsorption syndromes, dementia , eating disorders , depression , alcohol use disorder (AUD) , or cancer . Problems with swallowing, digestion, or dental issues. Certai