Nutritional disease can result from protein energy malnutrition (PEM), which is caused by inadequate intake of proteins and calories. PEM leads to deficiencies in digestion/absorption and loss of fat, muscle tissue, and weight. It has multiple etiologies including poverty, infections, illness, alcoholism, and ignorance. PEM is a serious, often lethal condition especially in children under 5 years old. It is diagnosed by body mass index, skin fold thickness, mid-arm circumference, and serum proteins. The two main types are marasmus, characterized by weight loss and depletion of muscle, and kwashiorkor, which occurs when protein deprivation exceeds calorie deficit and results in edema, skin lesions, and fatty liver.