3. What is Malnutrition?
> Malnutrition is a condition that results from
eating a diet in which nutrients are either
not enough or are too much such that the
diet causes health problems.
> Not enough nutrients is called
undernutrition or undernourishment while too
much is called overnutrition. Malnutrition is
often used to specifically refer to
undernutrition where an individual is not
getting enough calories, protein,
or micronutrients.
4. A healthy and balanced diet, enriched with all
the essential nutrients, is a must for overall
well-being.
This includes proteins, carbohydrates, fats,
vitamins and minerals
Children and adults alike require proper
nutrition for ensuring a healthy and long life.
Malnutrition and deficiency of these vital
elements can lead to serious diseases and
conditions.
5. VITAMIN DEFICIENCY
What is a Vitamin Deficiency?
Vitamin deficiency occurs when there is insufficient or
poor dietary intake of essential vitamins. Inadequate
levels of vitamins may result in an array of miserable
conditions and make the body feeble and vulnerable to
many diseases.
6. Secondary Deficiency
When a deficiency occurs as a
result of a disease or lifestyle
factor, this is called secondary
deficiency. For example,
smokers need to increase their
intake of vitamin C by 30-50%.
Another example is when
someone’s lifestyle causes them
to get minimal sun exposure
which cause a deficiency in
their vitamin D levels. This
deficiency can affect the
calcium absorption needed for
healthy bones.
Types of Vitamin
Deficiency
Primary Deficiency
Primary deficiency is when
an inadequate vitamin
intake causes a person to
become deficient. It is
due to not receiving the
necessary levels of a
vitamin from your diet and
this type is basic; it can
be easily cured by
adopting a special vitamin
diet or taking vitamin
supplements.
Vitamin
deficiency can be
classified into
two types:
7.
8. Scurvy –
Deficiency
of vitamin
C
Symptoms
general malaise
Decaying of the skin and
gums
abnormal formation of teeth
and bones
lethargy
spotty skin
losing teeth
bleeding and swollen gums
general weakness and delay
or inability to heal wounds
If left untreated scurvy
can be fatal.
Alarmingly
reduced
levels
of Vitamin
C or ascorbic
acid in the
body can
cause scurvy.
Scurvy
inhibits the
production of
collagen in the
body which is
the structural
protein that
connects the
tissues .
One must ensure
optimal consumption of
Vitamin C by having
citrus fruits like
oranges, lemon,
strawberry etc and
broccoli regularly.
The first disease to
be directly linked to
a vitamin deficiency
was scurvy.
9. Rickets-
Deficiency of
Vitamin D
Symptoms
• weak and soft bones
• bowed legs and bone
deformities
• softening of bones in
children usually resulting in
fractures and deformities.
Deficiency of
Vitamin D along with
calcium and
potassium in the
body causes rickets
or osteomalacia.
This is due to the fact that vitamin D
plays a key role in calcium absorption and
the building of strong, healthy bones.
Fish, fortified dairy products, liver, oil
and sunlight are some rich sources of
Vitamin D. One may need to resort to
dietary supplements
10. Beriberi-
Deficiency of
Vitamin B1
Symptoms
o nerve, heart, and brain
abnormalities
o numbness and tingling in
hands and feet
o memory loss
o altered muscle
coordination
o nerve degeneration
o cardiovascular problems.
o problem in breathing
o possible paralysis
o problem in speaking
o Confusion
o depression
Needs quick attention and if
not treated with an adequate
supply of vitamin B1, it can lead
to dementia and even death.
Severe lack of Vitamin B1 or thiamine
in the body leads to the disease called
beri beri.
Meat, eggs, whole
grains, dried beans etc
are rich in thiamine and
thus, should be
consumed in proper
amounts everyday to
avoid this painful
ailment.
11. Pellagra-
Deficiency of
Vitamin B3
Symptoms
• dark red patches occur
• on face, neck, hands,
• calves, and feet
• constipation
• diarrhea
• nausea or vomiting
• mouth and tongue get red, swollen and
develop sores
• Dementia, diarrhea, dermatitis and death are
“the four Ds” that characterize Pellagra
• short supply of the amino acids, tryptophan
and lysine or the excessive presence of lysine
in the body
Foods enriched with niacin
are tuna, whole grains,
peanuts, mushrooms, chicken
etc. These should be
consumed regularly to ward
off this disease.
This disease can be caused
by malnutrition or an over
dependence on a particular
type of food or drink, such
as maize or wine. Among the
leading causes, acute
deficiency of vitamin B3 or
Niacin is the most
prominent.
12. Xerophthalmia or
Night Blindness-
Deficiency of Vitamin
A
Symptoms
• blindness due to the poor growth
• dryness and keratinisation of
epithelial tissue
• chronic eye infection
In worsened
situations, night
blindness can
aggravate to
complete loss of
vision.
The cause of this disease is
attributed to the deficiency
of Vitamin A in the body.
The safest way to enhance the Vitamin A
levels in the body is by consuming natural
food sources like carrots, green and
leafy vegetables, cantaloupes etc.
14. Kwashiorkor-
Deficiency of
protein and energy
Symptoms
• Anorexia
• enlarged liver
• irritability
• ulcerating
dermatoses
Kwashiorkor is a deficiency disease
caused by lack of protein and energy
in the body.
A healthy and balanced diet enriched
with protein and carbohydrate sources
like eggs, lentils, rice etc helps combat
this problem.
These are the one of the
nutritional deficiencies in
children, especially from famine-
struck areas and places with
poor food supply.
15. Anaemia-
Deficiency of
Iron
Symptoms
• decrease in the red blood
cell count or haemoglobin
in the body
• resulting in fatigue
• weakness
• dyspnoea
• paleness of the body.
Anaemia is a disease caused by
the deficiency of iron in the body.
It can be easily treated by changing
to a healthy diet and consuming iron
supplements on a regular basis.
Squashes, nuts, tofu, bran etc
are rich sources of iron for the
body.
16. Goitre- Deficiency
of Iodine
Symptoms
• enlarged thyroid glands
causing hypothyroidism
• poor growth and
development of infants
in childhood
• cretinism
• even mental
retardation
Iodine in the body is essential
for normal cell metabolism in the
body and deficiency of iodine
may cause goitre.
This disease is
commonly found to
occur in places having
iodine deficit soil.
Iodised salt and
saltwater fish are rich
sources of iodine, and
must be consumed
regularly to avoid
goitre.