Malnutrition Signs and Symptoms Risk Groups. Hunger Hunger is a recurrent, involuntary lack of access to food. Hunger may produce malnutrition over time.

Malnutrition

Signs and Symptoms

Risk Groups

Hunger

• Hunger is a recurrent, involuntary lack of access to food. Hunger may produce malnutrition over time.

• Dietz, W.H., & Trowbridge, F.L. (1990, August). Symposium on the identification and prevalence of undernutrition in the United States: Introduction. The Journal of Nutrition, 120(8), 917-918. (p. 917).

Malnutrition

Inappropriate nutrient consumption Impairment of physical and mental

health for an individual Low productivity for communities

Undernutrition (general)

Protein-energy malnutrition (PEM)Mild—stunting, underweightSevere—reduced head

circumference, wasting, starvation Hidden hungers (vitamin and mineral

deficiencies)

Chronically Undernourished842 Million Worldwide

LA & C

SA

EA & SEA

NE & NA

SSA

Stunted Children215 Million Worldwide

LA & C

SA

EA & SEA

NE & NA

SS A

Underweight Children180 Million Worldwide

LA & C

SA

EA & SEA

NE & NA

SSA

Wasting and Starvation

Wasting—person seriously below the normal weight for her or his height due to lack of food

Starvation—person exhibits extreme or prolonged lack of food

Deterioration and ultimate death

The Realities of PEM

kwashiorkor marasmus

Hidden Hungers

May have adequate protein and calories

Lack vitamins and mineralsIodine deficiency disorders (IDD)Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) Iron-deficiency anemia (IDA)

Iodine Deficiency Disorders

Goiter Cretinism

Iron Deficiency Anemia

anemia normal blood

Vitamin A

Reproduction Growth and cellular

differentiation Development of

mucus-forming cells

Resistance to infection

Xerophthalmia

Populations At-risk

Poor Refugees Parasite-infected Infants and children Women