What is Malnutrition
If our bodies fail to get all the nutrients that they need, then this condition is called malnutrition. If a person suffers from malnutrition they can be more likely to catch diseases and it can effect the functions of their body such as brain, eyesight, height, weight, the functioning of various organs, as well as the development and formation of body parts, especially in unborn babies, newborn babies, and young children.
Malnutrition can occur in developed countries, but it is far more likely to occur in children in developing countries. According to UniCef (www.unicef.org) figures, almost one-third of the children in developing countries are malnourished.
Breastfeeding is a vital source of micronutrients for newborn babies and young children. However, if the mother does not have access to sufficient nutrients, then the baby will likely be malnourished.
The solution to a lack of nutrients is simply to improve people's diet. This can be done in two ways:
- Naturally: The ideal way to get enough nutrients is to eat enough of the right foods in order to obtain the nutrients that your body needs. However, some people do not eat the right foods, or else (especially in developing countries) they don't have access to the right types of food, and in some cases may not have access to any food at all. As a result, some groups of people (especially in developing countries) are fed supplementary food, this is food that is added to their diets which contains the nutrients that their usual food lacks.
- Fortification: Another method to provide the required nutrients, especially in countries where a population as a whole is lacking a certain vitamin or mineral, is by adding the nutrient to a staple food, such as flour or salt, or adding it to drinking water, or to some other food / drink that is consumed. This process is called fortification.
An inadequate supply of food and/or nutrients is often caused by war, poverty, drought, or disease. The situation can be especially dire if a population is affected by all these factors at the same time.
During war, people may to too frightened to work in fields, or they may be unable to work because of landmines. Other people may have fled their homes to avoid conflict or violence, and this forces them to leave their food supplies and fields behind.
For people living in poverty, food may be available but they do not have the money to buy it or access to the land to grow it.
Diseases, such as diarrhea, can cause the body to loose essential nutrients, by flushing them out of the body. These nutrients can take a long time to replace and may affect a person's growth, development, and health.
Even in rich, developed countries, people can still suffer from malnutrition. However, this is usually not caused by a lack of food, but rather because the people choose to eat the wrong types of food, or too much of the wrong types of food.
|