Malnutrition

Abstract

The problem of malnutrition presents itself in manifold, complex and connected ways. Although there is a concrete association with hunger, malnutrition doesn't always imply hunger or famine and is manifest in many forms, from chronic hunger to micronutrient deficiency, and from stunting to obesity. Key determinants triggering malnutrition encompass excessive intakes, insufficient food consumption or inadequate utilization of nutrients provided by foods that are consumed. Undernutrition is a term that includes stunting, underweight, wasting and having deficient levels of essential vitamins and minerals (also called micronutrients). As such, it constitutes the malnutrition category that represents nutrient deficits. The other form of malnutrition is associated with excessive energy and nutrient intakes (which may also be accompanied by micronutrient deficiencies or suboptimal intakes), leading to obesity and other diet related non-communicable diseases. This article focuses on undernutrition and the triple burden that many countries face in dealing with both under and overnutrition.