2. CHRONIC MALNUTRITION
• Malnutrition is defined as a pathological state
caused due to a relative or absolute deficiency
(or excess) of one or more nutrients.
• Chronic malnutrition is defined as a form of
growth failure that causes both physical and
cognitive delays in growth and development.
3. Causes of malnutrition
• Immediate determinants: They work at the individual level and
include low birth weight, illnesses and inadequate dietary intake
• Underlying determinants: The immediate determinants are in turn
influenced by three household determinants namely food , health
and care.
• Basic determinants: Finally the underlying determinants are
influenced by the basic determinants. These include the
socioeconomic status and educational qualification of families ,
women empowerment ,cultural taboos regarding food and health ,
access to safe water and sanitation etc…
4.
5. Indicator Interpretation Comment
Stunting Low height for age Indicator of chronic
malnutrition(result of
prolonged food deprivation
and / or illness or disease
Wasting Low weight for height Acute malnutrition (result of
more recent food deficit or
illness)
Under weight Low weight for age Combined indicator
6.
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8. Clinical signs of malnutrition
• Hairs
• Eye
• Lips
• Tongue
• Gums
• Skin
• Nails etc…
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13. Preventive and social measures
Since malnutrition is the outcome of several factors the problem can
only be solved by taking actions simultaneously at various levels:
• Family level
• Community level
• National level