Malnutrition (aka malnourishment) results from eating a diet, in which nutrients are either not enough, or are too much such that the diet causes health problems. Undernutrition or undernourishment is not enough nutrients.

• Starvation is extreme undernourishment, and may have Sx, including:
  • Short height
  • Thin body
  • Very poor energy levels
  • Swollen legs and abdomen
  • Often get infections
  • Frequently cold
• Sx of micronutrient deficiencies, depend on the micronutrient that is lacking

• It involves not enough calories, protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, or minerals
• Common micronutrient deficiencies include a lack of iron, iodine, and vitamin A

2 main types of undernutrition:

• Protein-energy malnutrition, which has 2 severe forms, including:
  • Marasmus, a lack of protein and calories
  • Kwashiorkor, a lack of just protein
• Dietary deficiencies

• Not enough high quality food being available to eat, most often. This is often related to high food prices and poverty
• Lack of breastfeeding
• Numerous infectious diseases, e.g. gastroenteritis, pneumonia, malaria, an dmeasles, which icnrease nutrient requirement
• During pregnancy, due to the body's increased need, deficiencies may become more common
• Overnutrition in the form of obesity is beginning to present within the same communitieis as undernutrition
• Anorexia nervosa
• Bariatric surgery

• Permanent problems with physical and mental development, if undernutrition occurs during pregnancy, or before 2yo

• Overnutrition (antonym)