Effects Of Malnutrition Essay

1347 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Short essay on benefits of breast feeding

Malnutrition

India being an agrarian nation, has enough food to feed its population. In spite of the availability of food in the country, people face the problem of hunger and many are undernourished. Malnutrition is caused due to the deficiency of some essential nutrients like vitamins and minerals in a person’s body. It further leads to various problems. People become inefficient due to poor health and are not able to come out of poverty. Many children die at a very tender age due to hunger or intake of unbalanced diet. More than 165 million children under 5 years of age suffer from chronic malnutrition.

Protein Energy Malnutrition (PEM):

It is basically the “food gap” between the intake of food and actual requirement by our body. The …show more content…

Marasmus is characterized by energy deficiency, emaciation, stunned growth and wasting of muscles and tissues. It is generally caused due to weaning from breastfed milk making the child absolutely emaciate with the appearance of rib bones.

 Kwashiorkor:

The term kwashiorkor literally means “the sickness of weaning”. It is caused when breastfeeding is discontinued at an early age. Kwashiorkor is also a result of inadequacy of protein in the body. It causes fluid retention, dry and peeling skin and hair discoloration. This disease can have a long term impact on a child’s physical and mental development. In severe cases, it may even lead to death.

 Marasmus-Kwashiorkor:

This has the features of both Marasmus and Kwashiorkor simultaneously. The ones of marasmus includes wasting of muscles of the upper arms, shoulders and chest making the ribs visible. It is followed by pale skin and hair, along with severe oedema of feet, legs and hands, which are signs of Kwashiorkor.

 Nutrition Dwafting:

It is caused due to the deficiency of food-energy and proteins which is marked by growth retardation. Such children look superficially normal as the weight and height reduce in the same proportion.

 Underweight …show more content…

They treat such issues to be completely irrelevant to them.

Ways to reduce malnutrition:

Below mentioned are some techniques which may prove to be helpful with malnutrition. If not greatly, there will definitely make some difference.

 Promotion of breast feeding:

Breast feeding promotion refers to the fostering of health among newly born children, infants and women through the mode of breast feeding. Certain policies have been implemented for this purpose. WHO recommends that an infant should be breastfed for first six months in order to develop proper health.

 Development of low cost weaning:

For the families who are not in a state to spend a large amount on their child’s weaning process, they should keep in mind that when the child is introduced to food, it should be given nutrients rich food which is available at a low cost. Things like soya bean, jowar, porridge etc. can be of utmost benefit.

 Nutrition education:

Each one should be made aware of the importance of taking balanced diet. And also the disadvantages that are led by nutrients deficient food intake. Camps or awareness programs can be set up for this purpose.

 Food

Show More
Related

  • Progeria Essay

    1354 Words  | 3 Pages

    It is estimated that 1 in 4 million newborn children are affected with this syndrome worldwide. It starts with the children suffering from scleroderma, which makes the skin appear scaly and thin. Within the first year there is a slowing in their growth rate and weight gain the physical development becomes stagnant, at two to three years of age their hair starts to fall out and they lose subcutaneous fat. The intelligence, and emotional development of children with progeria are on pare with children the same age but not affected by the syndrome (Hennekam, 2006 pp. 2603-2624).

    Read More

  • Nutritional Anthropology Essay

    1066 Words  | 3 Pages

    Nutritional anthropology applies the anthropological approach to nutritional disciplines by studying and understanding how the interactions of social and biological factors affect the nutritional status of individuals and populations. Dettwlyer conducted a medical anthropological research assessing the nutritional status of individuals living in a population in Mali, Africa. She defined it as to be a biocultural approach because the research did not only pertain to the biological system of the people but cultural dogmas, infant feeding practices, socio-economic status, political-ecological factors also contributed as much. Death rates and child malnutrition rates are very high in Mali, it being one of the poorest countries of the world. Therefore, Dettwlyer being a nutritional anthropologist extends her study to the children of Mali who are malnutritioned as a result of their birth in poor families; because their mothers have a low status in their prosperous extended family households; ethno-cultural tenets, etc.

    Read More

  • Promote and Support Breastfeeding

    963 Words  | 2 Pages

    According to the American Dietetic Association, “exclusive breastfeeding provides optimal nutrition and health protection for the first 6 months of life and breastfeeding with complementary foods from 6 months until at least 12 months of age is the ideal feeding pattern for infants.”1 Breastfeeding has many benefits to mother and baby.1 Infant and children mobility and mortality are greatly improved due to the promotion of breastfeeding as an important health strategy.1 The promotion of breastfeeding as a health strategy also works to improve maternal mortalities and reduce overall healthcare costs.1 Breastfeeding for the duration of the first year significantly improves an infant’s overall health and chances of survival.1 Benefits of breastfeeding span from improving family dynamic and maternal health to reducing health care costs and decreasing the impact on the environment.1 Breast milk is unique in that is perfectly tailored to meet and infants need and provide optimal nutrition.1 As experts within the field of nutrition Registered Dietitians should promote and support breastfeeding for its benefits to both mother and baby.1

    Read More

  • The Benefits of Breastfeeding

    998 Words  | 2 Pages

    The first years of life are the most crucial years for brain, immune system and overall physiological development. This is why, it is extremely important to achieve optimal nutrition standards in these early years. Studies have shown that having optimum nutrition in infancy can lead to profound benefits throughout the lifespan of the person. Breastfeeding is extensively recommended, as the best way to achieve the most advantageous start for new-born babies, from the multifunctional aspect of both nutrition and enhanced protection against infectious agents.

    Read More

  • Malnutrition In Older Adults

    632 Words  | 2 Pages

    “Malnutrition is under assessed and under managed problem in the elderly population” (Elia et al., 2005) There are quite a few factors that contribute to malnutrition which are “economic status, physical disabilities, chronic disease, access to food sources, physiological changes.” (DeWit, O’Neill, 2014) Also oral health can contribute to malnutrition. How does oral health factor in on malnutrition? It effects your chewing capabilities, taste perception, and being able to swallow. The older adult is use to eating with their spouses and friends. That particular elder could have outlived their spouses and their friends. Now they are lonely and have nobody to eat with or eating at certain places could bring back memories. They could then lose their appetite. “The most common cause of reduced food intake is the older adult’s loss of appetite.” (Chen et al., 2007; Stratton et al., 2003) “Research shows the older adult that are malnourished become depressed and have a higher infection rate.”(Chen et al., 2007; Kubrak and Jensen, 2007; Correia and Waitzberg, 2003) Older adults would rather eat something sweet rather than eat a nutritious meal. That can also be a factor in their malnutrition because it effects their oral health if they lose too many teeth. The elderly also has a decrease in in the taste and smell department. They have a decreased smell intake which leads to decreased appetite. If they have a physical limitation such as arthritis, the older adult is not going to want to cook a full course m...

    Read More

  • Childhood Nutrition Case Study

    1777 Words  | 4 Pages

    Children understand that food is important in their life, however they do not know that nutrition also plays a significant role in health as well.

    Read More

  • Food Insecurity Essay

    691 Words  | 2 Pages

    There are many different kinds of effects that come from not consuming the right amount of the nutrients everyday. Receiving the right amount is key especially for children ages zero to three years old. Some physical effects in early-aged children is the inability to fully develop in growth and their ability to fight infections is very weak. Other physical conditions found in children are chronic health issues such as, asthma and Cystic Fibrosis, also many children find themselves needing to be hospitalized. Mental effects are taken into account as well, because many children experience behavioral consequences and challenges: Children also suffer from anxiety and aggression issues. Young children are not only people affected from lack of nutrients, but adults experience both physical and mental problems too. Adults are not as affected by not getting the accurate amount of nutrients, these ages unfortunately do not get to live a...

    Read More

  • Nutrition And Changes Essay

    1063 Words  | 3 Pages

    During this time children have growths spurts. Although children’s BMI is usually at minimum during this stage, during the growth spurts their BMI will increase. This leading to a behavioral change of increased appetite. It is important for parents to teach children at this age to make healthy eating choices. Becoming over weight as a child can lead to early puberty and looking older than their actually age. This can cause parents and other adults to treat the child as if they are older. A great intervention for this issue is the Nutrition integrity in schools. This ensures that children are being feed foods that are consistent with the U.S. dietary guidelines for Americans and the Dietary References intakes.

    Read More

  • Epidemiology of the Kwashiorkor Disorder

    1435 Words  | 3 Pages

    Known as the most widespread and most common nutritional disease in major developing countries Kwashiorkor is a very serious condition. The condition of Kwashiorkor is a form of malnutrition where a young child is not getting the protein they need in their diet, yet at the same time they are getting enough calories. It usually affects children between the ages of one to three, but studies show it can develop at any age ("Human nutrition in the developing world", n.d.). While the disease is rarely seen here in the United States and developing countries, it is a very dominant disease and very wide spread in sub-suburban Africa, Southeast Asia and Central America ("Human nutrition in the developing world", n.d.). When this disease does present itself in the United Stat...

    Read More

  • The Importance Of Protein Nutrition

    1374 Words  | 3 Pages

    In order to prevent kwashiorkor from ever developing, it is important to make sure to follow the nutritional guidelines and have a balanced diet of carbohydrates, fat, and protein. Kwashiorkor can most simply be prevented by making sure that a child eats enough protein after they are weaned off of their mother’s milk (Rossouw 1989). Often times, in third world countries the children are weaned off their mother’s milk and then put onto a maize diet that does not offer adequate amounts of protein rich food. The Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) “for protein is 0.66 grams of protein/kg of body weight. The EAR for protein increases during pregnancy, breastfeeding, period of rapid growth, or recovery from serious illnesses, blood losses, and burns” (Schiff 2013). The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that 10 to 35 percent of a person’s daily caloric intake come from protein. Furthermore, in order to prevent kwashiorkor from developing, children ages 1-3 years need to have 5-20 percent of their energy from protein, children ages 4-18 years need 10-30 percent from protein, and adults need 10-35 percent protein. In other words, kwashiorkor is an avertible disease that can be prevented if infants and children are consuming at

    Read More

  • Malnutrition Essay

    1448 Words  | 3 Pages

    Malnutrition has lifelong implications because it severely reduces a child’s ability to learn and grow to their full potential and leads to less productive adults, ill performance and wastage of government resources.

    Read More

  • World Hunger

    700 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the United States today, hunger affects over 850 million people, and that number keeps increasing. Hunger can cause health defects and can slow or shut your body down. It can result in malnutrition and weakened immune systems. It is mainly caused by food distribution among countries. World hunger is a worldwide problem and it difficult to end it. People who don’t have enough food should be helped because they could die from malnutrition.

    Read More

  • Essay On Impact Of Poverty On Education

    1441 Words  | 3 Pages

    “Malnourished children are 20% less literate than those with a healthier diet, says UK charity Save the Children” (The Information Daily). When parents become victims of poverty it can have some very unpleasing long and short term effects to their children. Parents in poverty have a lot on their plate and buying the best quality food or affording enough food can be a tumultuous task. Quality nutrition is essential for the development of the brain. At a young age, poor nutrition or not enough nutrition can seriously hinder “the brain 's development, a child’s ability to learn and has a devastating impact on a child’s future”(The Information Daily). “Malnutrition in the early developmental stages of the brain, by restricting the children’s cognitive growth, can lower a child 's IQ has much has 20 points”(The Information Daily). Long term effects of malnutrition leave permanent damage to the brain, however, malnutrition has short term effects as well. Malnourishment can greatly compromise a child’s immune system, making them more susceptible to infectious diseases. “Low counts of zinc, iron and vitamin A are commonly associated with weakened immune function” (Orphan Nutrition). A deadly infection can have a huge impact on a poverty stricken family leading to less affordability. Malnutrition negatively affects a student throughout their educational

    Read More

  • Famine and Malnutrition

    534 Words  | 2 Pages

    Famine and malnutrition is a problem that is plaguing almost everyone, everywhere. Almost every country is involved and is suffering. Some countries and nations ridden with famine would include Africa, the Middle East, South America, and Latin America. The causes of famine and malnutrition come from many varying sources. There isn’t one country that is the same as another. The root of the problem vary from natural disasters, poverty, lack of water, to corrupt governments.

    Read More

  • Essay On Nutrition And Nutrition

    1643 Words  | 4 Pages

    In 2011, anthropologist Ellen Messer acknowledged that in spite of having enough food to feed the entire population on the Globe, more than 100 million people experienced shortages of food and nutritional deficiencies (as cited in Wiley & Allen, 2013, p.92). Thus, it is very important to consider analyzing various factors that influence nutritional status and its relationship with health.

    Read More

More about Effects Of Malnutrition Essay

Open Document