Malnutrition – A Multi-Faced Monster Eating Generations From Inside!

Malnutrition is one of the biggest consequences of world hunger. It is the condition when an individual does not get enough food or nutrients. It can be a result of hunger, poverty or any other reason. A medical condition can also lead to it. Malnutrition affects an individual’s physical and mental abilities as well as overall development.

But, did you know that it is not limited to just one type? Are you aware of the fact that malnutrition has multiple types?

Here are some of the major kinds of malnutrition –

Protein energy – In this type, an individual lacks the sufficient amount of calorie or protein in their diet. It kills numerous people worldwide every year. Children are at a higher risk of getting this kind of malnourishment. There are two further kinds of this malnutrition, kwashiorkor and marasmus. The latter one is the result of energy deficiency due to which, an individual loses lots of weight. Kwashiorkor is another kind in which a person suffers protein deficiency. It can result into an enlarged liver, swelling of the ankles and feet etc.

Micro nutrients – This is another type of malnutrition which affects people on a large number. It is the situation in which individuals suffer due to the lack of micro nutrients. It includes different kinds of dietary vitamins and minerals such as calcium, iodine, selenium, iron, zinc, vitamin C, Vitamin B1 & D, and more. These deficiencies can lead to different types of medical conditions like Rickets, Pellagra, Keshan disease etc. It is a result of individual’s diet lacking of necessary vitamins and mineral.

However, above mentioned various types of malnutrition show that it is a multi-faced monster that eats generations from the inside. Not only it affects individuals but also their children and generations to come.

But, how it affects generations?

A malnourished mother is likely to give birth to a low birth-weight child. Without proper food or nutrition, their children are also likely to become malnourished. So, it travels from generations to generations. It is a painful cycle that should be stopped. Ending world hunger is the only solution to end this cycle.

Only by ending hunger worldwide and providing nutritious food to everyone, the monster of malnutrition can be defeated. People must get necessary nutrients, which can prevent any kind of deficiency or disease by improving immunity.