malnutrition definition

malnutrition definitSynonyms
Improper nutrition; Undernutrition
malnutrition definition
Malnutrition is defined as deficiency of one or more
of the essential diet ingredients. Primary malnutrition
is caused by lack of essential nutrients such as vitamins,
minerals or proteins. Secondary malnutrition is
caused by failure of absorption or utilization of essential
nutrients (as in disease of the gastrointestinal tract,
thyroid, kidney, liver, or pancreas), by increased nutritional
requirements (growth, injuries, burns, surgicalion procedures, pregnancy, lactation, fever), or by excessive
excretion (diarrhea). In both cases a wide range of clinical
abnormalities and metabolic effects may occur. In
some regions of the world malnutrition may occur due
to poor economy or climate conditions such as floods,
drought or due to population size (e. g. overpopulation).
Also malnutrition may result from poor eating habits.