Malnutrition - wikipedia Malnutrition `` Underfeeding '' redirects here. For the concept in metalworking, see Underfeeder. Malnutrition Synonyms Malnourishment An orange ribbon -- the awareness ribbon for malnutrition. Specialty Critical care medicine Symptoms Problems with physical or mental development, poor energy levels, swollen legs and abdomen Causes Eating a diet in which nutrients are either not enough or are too much, malabsorption Risk factors Not breastfeed, gastroenteritis, pneumonia, malaria, measles Prevention Improving agricultural practices, reducing poverty, improving sanitation, empowerment of women Treatment Improved nutrition, supplementation, ready - to - use therapeutic foods, treating the underlying cause Frequency 793 million undernourished / 13 % of the population ( 2015 ) Deaths 406,000 from nutritional deficiencies ( 2015 ) ( edit on Wikidata ) Malnutrition is a condition that results from eating a diet in which nutrients are either not enough or are too much such that the diet causes health problems. It may involve calories, protein, carbohydrates, vitamins or minerals. Not enough nutrients is called undernutrition or undernourishment while too much is called overnutrition. Malnutrition is often used to specifically refer to undernutrition where an individual is not getting enough calories, protein, or micronutrients. If undernutrition occurs during pregnancy, or before two years of age, it may result in permanent problems with physical and mental development. Extreme undernourishment, known as starvation, may have symptoms that include : a short height, thin body, very poor energy levels, and swollen legs and abdomen. People also often get infections and are frequently cold. The symptoms of micronutrient deficiencies depend on the micronutrient that is lacking. Undernourishment is most often due to not enough high - quality food being available to eat. This is often related to high food prices and poverty. A lack of breastfeeding may contribute, as may a number of infectious diseases such as : gastroenteritis, pneumonia, malaria, and measles, which increase nutrient requirements. There are two main types of undernutrition : protein - energy malnutrition and dietary deficiencies. Protein - energy malnutrition has two severe forms : marasmus ( a lack of protein and calories ) and kwashiorkor ( a lack of just protein ). Common micronutrient deficiencies include : a lack of iron, iodine, and vitamin A. During pregnancy, due to the body 's increased need, deficiencies may become more common. In some developing countries, overnutrition in the form of obesity is beginning to present within the same communities as undernutrition. Other causes of malnutrition include anorexia nervosa and bariatric surgery. Efforts to improve nutrition are some of the most effective forms of development aid. Breastfeeding can reduce rates of malnutrition and death in children, and efforts to promote the practice increase the rates of breastfeeding. In young children, providing food ( in addition to breastmilk ) between six months and two years of age improves outcomes. There is also good evidence supporting the supplementation of a number of micronutrients to women during pregnancy and among young children in the developing world. To get food to people who need it most, both delivering food and providing money so people can buy food within local markets are effective. Simply feeding students at school is insufficient. Management of severe malnutrition within the person 's home with ready - to - use therapeutic foods is possible much of the time. In those who have severe malnutrition complicated by other health problems, treatment in a hospital setting is recommended. This often involves managing low blood sugar and body temperature, addressing dehydration, and gradual feeding. Routine antibiotics are usually recommended due to the high risk of infection. Longer - term measures include : improving agricultural practices, reducing poverty, improving sanitation, and the empowerment of women. There were 793 million undernourished people in the world in 2015 ( 13 % of the total population ). This is a reduction of 216 million people since 1990 when 23 % were undernourished. In 2012 it was estimated that another billion people had a lack of vitamins and minerals. In 2015, protein - energy malnutrition was estimated to have resulted in 323,000 deaths -- down from 510,000 deaths in 1990. Other nutritional deficiencies, which include iodine deficiency and iron deficiency anemia, result in another 83,000 deaths. In 2010, malnutrition was the cause of 1.4 % of all disability adjusted life years. About a third of deaths in children are believed to be due to undernutrition, although the deaths are rarely labelled as such. In 2010, it was estimated to have contributed to about 1.5 million deaths in women and children, though some estimate the number may be greater than 3 million. An additional 165 million children were estimated to have stunted growth from malnutrition in 2013. Undernutrition is more common in developing countries. Certain groups have higher rates of undernutrition, including women -- in particular while pregnant or breastfeeding -- children under five years of age, and the elderly. In the elderly, undernutrition becomes more common due to physical, psychological, and social factors. Contents 1 Definitions 1.1 Undernutrition and overnutrition 1.2 Protein - energy malnutrition 1.2. 1 Kwashiorkor 1.2. 2 Marasmus 1.3 Undernutrition, hunger 1.4 Definition by Gomez 1.5 Definition by Waterlow 2 Effects 2.1 Signs 2.2 Cognitive development 3 Causes 3.1 Diseases 3.2 Dietary practices 3.2. 1 Undernutrition 3.2. 2 Overnutrition 3.3 Poverty and food prices 3.4 Agricultural productivity 3.5 Future threats 4 Prevention 4.1 Food security 4.2 Breastfeeding 4.3 Fortified foods 4.4 World population 4.5 Food sovereignty 4.6 Health facilities 5 Global initiatives 6 Management 6.1 Food 6.2 Micronutrients 6.3 Diarrhea 6.4 Low blood sugar 6.5 Hypothermia 6.6 Economics 7 Epidemiology 7.1 People affected 7.2 Mortality 8 Society and culture 9 Special populations 9.1 Children 9.2 Women 9.2. 1 Gender 9.2. 2 Physiology 9.2. 3 Pregnancy and breastfeeding 9.2. 4 Educating children 9.3 Elderly 10 See also 11 References 12 External links Definitions Child in the United States with signs of Kwashiorkor, a dietary protein deficiency. Unless specifically mentioned otherwise, the term malnutrition refers to undernutrition for the remainder of this article. Malnutrition can be divided into two different types, SAM and MAM. SAM refers to children with severe acute malnutrition. MAM refers to moderate acute malnutrition. Undernutrition and overnutrition Malnutrition is caused by eating a diet in which nutrients are not enough or are too much such that it causes health problems. It is a category of diseases that includes undernutrition and overnutrition. Overnutrition can result in obesity and being overweight. In some developing countries, overnutrition in the form of obesity is beginning to present within the same communities as undernutrition. However, the term malnutrition is commonly used to refer to undernutrition only. This applies particularly to the context of development cooperation. Therefore, `` malnutrition '' in documents by the World Health Organization, UNICEF, Save the Children or other international non-governmental organizations ( NGOs ) usually is equated to undernutrition. Protein - energy malnutrition Undernutrition is sometimes used as a synonym of protein -- energy malnutrition ( PEM ). While other include both micronutrient deficiencies and protein energy malnutrition in its definition. It differs from calorie restriction in that calorie restriction may not result in negative health effects. The term hypoalimentation means underfeeding. The term `` severe malnutrition '' or `` severe undernutrition '' is often used to refer specifically to PEM. PEM is often associated with micronutrient deficiency. Two forms of PEM are kwashiorkor and marasmus, and they commonly coexist. Kwashiorkor Kwashiorkor is mainly caused by inadequate protein intake. The main symptoms are edema, wasting, liver enlargement, hypoalbuminaemia, steatosis, and possibly depigmentation of skin and hair. Kwashiorkor is further identified by swelling of the belly, which is deceiving of actual nutritional status. The term means ' displaced child ' and is derived from a Ghana language of West Africa, means `` the sickness the older one gets when the next baby is born, '' as this is when the older child is deprived of breast feeding and weaned to a diet composed largely of carbohydrates. Marasmus Marasmus ( ' to waste away ' ) is caused by an inadequate intake of protein and energy. The main symptoms are severe wasting, leaving little or no edema, minimal subcutaneous fat, severe muscle wasting, and non-normal serum albumin levels. Marasmus can result from a sustained diet of inadequate energy and protein, and the metabolism adapts to prolong survival. It is traditionally seen in famine, significant food restriction, or more severe cases of anorexia. Conditions are characterized by extreme wasting of the muscles and a gaunt expression. Undernutrition, hunger Undernutrition encompasses stunted growth ( stunting ), wasting, and deficiencies of essential vitamins and minerals ( collectively referred to as micronutrients ). The term hunger, which describes a feeling of discomfort from not eating, has been used to describe undernutrition, especially in reference to food insecurity. Definition by Gomez In 1956, Gómez and Galvan studied factors associated with death in a group of malnourished ( undernourished ) children in a hospital in Mexico City, Mexico and defined categories of malnutrition : first, second, and third degree. The degrees were based on weight below a specified percentage of median weight for age. The risk of death increases with increasing degree of malnutrition. An adaptation of Gomez 's original classification is still used today. While it provides a way to compare malnutrition within and between populations, the classification has been criticized for being `` arbitrary '' and for not considering overweight as a form of malnutrition. Also, height alone may not be the best indicator of malnutrition ; children who are born prematurely may be considered short for their age even if they have good nutrition. Degree of PEM % of desired body weight for age and sex Normal 90 % - 100 % Mild : Grade I ( 1st degree ) 75 % - 89 % Moderate : Grade II ( 2nd degree ) 60 % - 74 % Severe : Grade III ( 3rd degree ) < 60 % SOURCE : `` Serum Total Protein and Albumin Levels in Different Grades of Protein Energy Malnutrition '' Definition by Waterlow John Conrad Waterlow established a new classification for malnutrition. Instead of using just weight for age measurements, the classification established by Waterlow combines weight - for - height ( indicating acute episodes of malnutrition ) with height - for - age to show the stunting that results from chronic malnutrition. One advantage of the Waterlow classification over the Gomez classification is that weight for height can be examined even if ages are not known. Degree of PEM Stunting ( % ) Height for age Wasting ( % ) Weight for height Normal : Grade 0 > 95 % > 90 % Mild : Grade I 87.5 - 95 % 80 - 90 % Moderate : Grade II 80 - 87.5 % 70 - 80 % Severe : Grade III < 80 % < 70 % SOURCE : `` Classification and definition of protein - calorie malnutrition. '' by Waterlow, 1972 These classifications of malnutrition are commonly used with some modifications by WHO. Effects See also : Stunted growth and Wasting Malnutrition increases the risk of infection and infectious disease, and moderate malnutrition weakens every part of the immune system. For example, it is a major risk factor in the onset of active tuberculosis. Protein and energy malnutrition and deficiencies of specific micronutrients ( including iron, zinc, and vitamins ) increase susceptibility to infection. Malnutrition affects HIV transmission by increasing the risk of transmission from mother to child and also increasing replication of the virus. In communities or areas that lack access to safe drinking water, these additional health risks present a critical problem. Lower energy and impaired function of the brain also represent the downward spiral of malnutrition as victims are less able to perform the tasks they need to in order to acquire food, earn an income, or gain an education. Vitamin - deficiency - related diseases ( such as scurvy and rickets ). Hypoglycemia ( low blood sugar ) can result from a child not eating for 4 to 6 hours. Hypoglycemia should be considered if there is lethargy, limpness, convulsion, or loss of consciousness. If blood sugar can be measured immediately and quickly, perform a finger or heel stick. Signs In those with malnutrition some of the signs of dehydration differ. Children ; however, may still be interested in drinking, have decreased interactions with the world around them, have decreased urine output, and may be cool to touch. Site Sign Face Moon face ( kwashiorkor ), simian facies ( marasmus ) Eye Dry eyes, pale conjunctiva, Bitot 's spots ( vitamin A ), periorbital edema Mouth Angular stomatitis, cheilitis, glossitis, spongy bleeding gums ( vitamin C ), parotid enlargement Teeth Enamel mottling, delayed eruption Hair Dull, sparse, brittle hair, hypopigmentation, flag sign ( alternating bands of light and normal color ), broomstick eyelashes, alopecia Skin Loose and wrinkled ( marasmus ), shiny and edematous ( kwashiorkor ), dry, follicular hyperkeratosis, patchy hyper - and hypopigmentation, erosions, poor wound healing Nail Koilonychia, thin and soft nail plates, fissures or ridges Musculature Muscles wasting, particularly in the buttocks and thighs Skeletal Deformities usually a result of calcium, vitamin D, or vitamin C deficiencies Abdomen Distended - hepatomegaly with fatty liver, ascites may be present Cardiovascular Bradycardia, hypotension, reduced cardiac output, small vessel vasculopathy Neurologic Global development delay, loss of knee and ankle reflexes, poor memory Hematological Pallor, petechiae, bleeding diathesis Behavior Lethargic, apathetic Source : `` Protein Energy Malnutrition '' Cognitive development Protein - calorie malnutrition can cause cognitive impairments. For humans, `` critical period varies from the final third of gestation to the first 2 years of life ''. Iron deficiency anemia in children under two years of age likely affects brain function acutely and probably also chronically. Folate deficiency has been linked to neural tube defects. Malnutrition in the form of iodine deficiency is `` the most common preventable cause of mental impairment worldwide. '' `` Even moderate deficiency, especially in pregnant women and infants, lowers intelligence by 10 to 15 I.Q. points, shaving incalculable potential off a nation 's development. The most visible and severe effects -- disabling goiters, cretinism and dwarfism -- affect a tiny minority, usually in mountain villages. But 16 percent of the world 's people have at least mild goiter, a swollen thyroid gland in the neck. '' Causes See also : List of types of malnutrition Union Army soldier on his release from Andersonville prison, 1865 Major causes of malnutrition include poverty and food prices, dietary practices and agricultural productivity, with many individual cases being a mixture of several factors. Clinical malnutrition, such as : cachexia, is a major burden also in developed countries. Various scales of analysis also have to be considered in order to determine the sociopolitical causes of malnutrition. For example, the population of a community that is within poor governments, may be at risk if the area lacks health - related services, but on a smaller scale certain households or individuals may be at an even higher risk due to differences in income levels, access to land, or levels of education. Diseases Malnutrition can be a consequence of health issues such as gastroenteritis or chronic illness, especially the HIV / AIDS pandemic. Diarrhea and other infections can cause malnutrition through decreased nutrient absorption, decreased intake of food, increased metabolic requirements, and direct nutrient loss. Parasite infections, in particular intestinal worm infections ( helminthiasis ), can also lead to malnutrition. A leading cause of diarrhea and intestinal worm infections in children in developing countries is lack of sanitation and hygiene. People may become malnourished due to abnormal nutrient loss ( due to diarrhea or chronic illness affecting the small bowel ). This conditions may include Crohn 's disease or untreated coeliac disease. Malnutrition may also occur due to increased energy expenditure ( secondary malnutrition ). Dietary practices Undernutrition A lack of adequate breastfeeding leads to malnutrition in infants and children, associated with the deaths of an estimated one million children annually. Illegal advertising of breast milk substitutes continues three decades after its 1981 prohibition under the WHO International Code of Marketing Breast Milk Substitutes. Deriving too much of one 's diet from a single source, such as eating almost exclusively corn or rice, can cause malnutrition. This may either be from a lack of education about proper nutrition, or from only having access to a single food source. It is not just the total amount of calories that matters but specific nutritional deficiencies such as vitamin A deficiency, iron deficiency or zinc deficiency can also increase risk of death. Overnutrition Overnutrition caused by overeating is also a form of malnutrition. In the United States, more than half of all adults are now overweight -- a condition that, like hunger, increases susceptibility to disease and disability, reduces worker productivity, and lowers life expectancy. Overeating is much more common in the United States, where for the majority of people, access to food is not an issue. Many parts of the world have access to a surplus of non-nutritious food, in addition to increased sedentary lifestyles. Yale psychologist Kelly Brownell calls this a `` toxic food environment '' where fat and sugar laden foods have taken precedence over healthy nutritious foods. The issue in these developed countries is choosing the right kind of food. More fast food is consumed per capita in the United States than in any other country. The reason for this mass consumption of fast food is its affordability and accessibility. Often fast food, low in cost and nutrition, is high in calories and heavily promoted. When these eating habits are combined with increasingly urbanized, automated, and more sedentary lifestyles, it becomes clear why weight gain is difficult to avoid. Not only does obesity occur in developed countries, problems are also occurring in developing countries in areas where income is on the rise. Overeating is also a problem in countries where hunger and poverty persist. In China, consumption of high - fat foods has increased while consumption of rice and other goods has decreased. Overeating leads to many diseases, such as heart disease and diabetes, that may result in death. Poverty and food prices A child with extreme malnutrition In Bangladesh, poor socioeconomic position was associated with chronic malnutrition since it inhibits purchase of nutritious foods such as milk, meat, poultry, and fruits. As much as food shortages may be a contributing factor to malnutrition in countries with lack of technology, the FAO ( Food and Agriculture Organization ) has estimated that eighty percent of malnourished children living in the developing world live in countries that produce food surpluses. The economist Amartya Sen observed that, in recent decades, famine has always been a problem of food distribution and / or poverty, as there has been sufficient food to feed the whole population of the world. He states that malnutrition and famine were more related to problems of food distribution and purchasing power. It is argued that commodity speculators are increasing the cost of food. As the real estate bubble in the United States was collapsing, it is said that trillions of dollars moved to invest in food and primary commodities, causing the 2007 -- 2008 food price crisis. The use of biofuels as a replacement for traditional fuels raises the price of food. The United Nations special rapporteur on the right to food, Jean Ziegler proposes that agricultural waste, such as corn cobs and banana leaves, rather than crops themselves be used as fuel. Agricultural productivity Local food shortages can be caused by a lack of arable land, adverse weather, lower farming skills such as crop rotation, or by a lack of technology or resources needed for the higher yields found in modern agriculture, such as fertilizers, pesticides, irrigation, machinery and storage facilities. As a result of widespread poverty, farmers can not afford or governments can not provide the resources necessary to improve local yields. The World Bank and some wealthy donor countries also press nations that depend on aid to cut or eliminate subsidized agricultural inputs such as fertilizer, in the name of free market policies even as the United States and Europe extensively subsidized their own farmers. Many, if not most, farmers can not afford fertilizer at market prices, leading to low agricultural production and wages and high, unaffordable food prices. Reasons for the unavailability of fertilizer include moves to stop supplying fertilizer on environmental grounds, cited as the obstacle to feeding Africa by the Green Revolution pioneers Norman Borlaug and Keith Rosenberg. Future threats There are a number of potential disruptions to global food supply that could cause widespread malnutrition. Climate change is of importance to food security, with 95 percent of all malnourished peoples living in the relatively stable climate region of the sub-tropics and tropics. According to the latest IPCC reports, temperature increases in these regions are `` very likely. '' Even small changes in temperatures can lead to increased frequency of extreme weather conditions. Many of these have great impact on agricultural production and hence nutrition. For example, the 1998 -- 2001 central Asian drought brought about an 80 percent livestock loss and 50 percent reduction in wheat and barley crops in Iran. Similar figures were present in other nations. An increase in extreme weather such as drought in regions such as Sub-Saharan Africa would have even greater consequences in terms of malnutrition. Even without an increase of extreme weather events, a simple increase in temperature reduces the productivity of many crop species, also decreasing food security in these regions. Colony collapse disorder is a phenomenon where bees die in large numbers. Since many agricultural crops worldwide are pollinated by bees, this represents a threat to the supply of food. An epidemic of wheat stem rust caused by race Ug99 is currently spreading across Africa and into Asia and, it is feared, could wipe out more than 80 percent of the world 's wheat crops. Prevention Irrigation canals have opened dry desert areas of Egypt to agriculture. Food security Main article : Food security The effort to bring modern agricultural techniques found in the West, such as nitrogen fertilizers and pesticides, to Asia, called the Green Revolution, resulted in decreases in malnutrition similar to those seen earlier in Western nations. This was possible because of existing infrastructure and institutions that are in short supply in Africa, such as a system of roads or public seed companies that made seeds available. Investments in agriculture, such as subsidized fertilizers and seeds, increases food harvest and reduces food prices. For example, in the case of Malawi, almost five million of its 13 million people used to need emergency food aid. However, after the government changed policy and subsidies for fertilizer and seed were introduced against World Bank strictures, farmers produced record - breaking corn harvests as production leaped to 3.4 million in 2007 from 1.2 million in 2005, making Malawi a major food exporter. This lowered food prices and increased wages for farm workers. Such investments in agriculture are still needed in other African countries like the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The country has one of the highest prevalence of malnutrition even though it is blessed with great agricultural potential John Ulimwengu explains in his article for D + C. Proponents for investing in agriculture include Jeffrey Sachs, who has championed the idea that wealthy countries should invest in fertilizer and seed for Africa 's farmers. New technology in agricultural production also has great potential to combat undernutrition. By improving agricultural yields, farmers could reduce poverty by increasing income as well as open up area for diversification of crops for household use. The World Bank itself claims to be part of the solution to malnutrition, asserting that the best way for countries to succeed in breaking the cycle of poverty and malnutrition is to build export - led economies that will give them the financial means to buy foodstuffs on the world market. Breastfeeding As of 2016 is estimated that about 821,000 deaths of children less than five years old could be prevented globally per year through more widespread breastfeeding. Fortified foods Manufacturers are trying to fortify everyday foods with micronutrients that can be sold to consumers such as wheat flour for Beladi bread in Egypt or fish sauce in Vietnam and the iodization of salt. For example, flour has been fortified with iron, zinc, folic acid and other B vitamins such as thiamine, riboflavin, niacin and vitamin B12. World population Restricting population size is a proposed solution. Thomas Malthus argued that population growth could be controlled by natural disasters and voluntary limits through `` moral restraint. '' Robert Chapman suggests that an intervention through government policies is a necessary ingredient of curtailing global population growth. However, there are many who believe that the world has more than enough resources to sustain its population. Instead, these theorists point to unequal distribution of resources and under - or unutilized arable land as the cause for malnutrition problems. For example, Amartya Sen advocates that, `` no matter how a famine is caused, methods of breaking it call for a large supply of food in the public distribution system. This applies not only to organizing rationing and control, but also to undertaking work programmes and other methods of increasing purchasing power for those hit by shifts in exchange entitlements in a general inflationary situation. '' Food sovereignty Main article : Food sovereignty One suggested policy framework to resolve access issues is termed food sovereignty -- the right of peoples to define their own food, agriculture, livestock, and fisheries systems, in contrast to having food largely subjected to international market forces. Food First is one of the primary think tanks working to build support for food sovereignty. Neoliberals advocate for an increasing role of the free market. Health facilities Another possible long term solution would be to increase access to health facilities to rural parts of the world. These facilities could monitor undernourished children, act as supplemental food distribution centers, and provide education on dietary needs. These types of facilities have already proven very successful in countries such as Peru and Ghana. Global initiatives In April 2012, the Food Assistance Convention was signed, the world 's first legally binding international agreement on food aid. The May 2012 Copenhagen Consensus recommended that efforts to combat hunger and malnutrition should be the first priority for politicians and private sector philanthropists looking to maximize the effectiveness of aid spending. They put this ahead of other priorities, like the fight against malaria and AIDS. The main global policy to reduce hunger and poverty are the Sustainable Development Goals. In particular Goal 2 : Zero hunger sets globally agreed targets to end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture. The partnership Compact2025, led by IFPRI with the involvement of UN organisations, NGOs and private foundations develops and disseminates evidence - based advice to politicians and other decision - makers aimed at ending hunger and undernutrition in the coming 10 years, by 2025. The EndingHunger campaign is an online communication campaign aimed at raising awareness of the hunger problem. It has many worked through viral videos depicting celebrities voicing their anger about the large number of hungry people in the world. Another initiative focused on improving the hunger situation by improving nutrition is the Scaling up Nutrition movement ( SUN ). Started in 2010 this movement of people from governments, civil society, the United Nations, donors, businesses and researchers, publishes a yearly progress report on the changes in their 55 partner countries. Management See also : Famine relief A malnourished Afghan child being treated by a medical team. A Somali boy receiving treatment for malnourishment at a health facility. In response to child malnutrition, the Bangladeshi government recommends ten steps for treating severe malnutrition. They are to prevent or treat dehydration, low blood sugar, low body temperature, infection, correct electrolyte imbalances and micronutrient deficiencies, start feeding cautiously, achieve catch - up growth, provide psychological support, and prepare for discharge and follow - up after recovery. Among those patients who are hospitalized, nutritional support improves protein, colorie intake and weight. Food The evidence for benefit of supplementary feeding is poor. This is due to the small amount of research done on this treatment. Specially formulated foods do however appear useful in those from the developing world with moderate acute malnutrition. In young children with severe acute malnutrition it is unclear if ready - to - use therapeutic food differs from a normal diet. They may have some benefits in humanitarian emergencies as they can be eaten directly from the packet, do not require refrigeration or mixing with clean water, and can be stored for years. In those who are severely malnourished, feeding too much too quickly can result in refeeding syndrome. This can result regardless of route of feeding and can present itself a couple of days after eating with heart failure, dysrhythmias and confusion that can result in death. Micronutrients Treating malnutrition, mostly through fortifying foods with micronutrients ( vitamins and minerals ), improves lives at a lower cost and shorter time than other forms of aid, according to the World Bank. The Copenhagen Consensus, which look at a variety of development proposals, ranked micronutrient supplements as number one. In those with diarrhea, once an initial four - hour rehydration period is completed, zinc supplementation is recommended. Daily zinc increases the chances of reducing the severity and duration of the diarrhea, and continuing with daily zinc for ten to fourteen days makes diarrhea less likely recur in the next two to three months. In addition, malnourished children need both potassium and magnesium. This can be obtained by following the above recommendations for the dehydrated child to continue eating within two to three hours of starting rehydration, and including foods rich in potassium as above. Low blood potassium is worsened when base ( as in Ringer 's / Hartmann 's ) is given to treat acidosis without simultaneously providing potassium. As above, available home products such as salted and unsalted cereal water, salted and unsalted vegetable broth can be given early during the course of a child 's diarrhea along with continued eating. Vitamin A, potassium, magnesium, and zinc should be added with other vitamins and minerals if available. For a malnourished child with diarrhea from any cause, this should include foods rich in potassium such as bananas, green coconut water, and unsweetened fresh fruit juice. Diarrhea Examples of commercially available oral rehydration salts ( Nepal on left, Peru on right ). The World Health Organization ( WHO ) recommends rehydrating a severely undernourished child who has diarrhea relatively slowly. The preferred method is with fluids by mouth using a drink called oral rehydration solution ( ORS ). The oral rehydration solution is both slightly sweet and slightly salty and the one recommended in those with severe undernutrition should have half the usual sodium and greater potassium. Fluids by nasogastric tube may be use in those who do not drink. Intravenous fluids are recommended only in those who have significant dehydration due to their potential complications. These complications include congestive heart failure. Over time, ORS developed into ORT, or oral rehydration therapy, which focused on increasing fluids by supplying salts, carbohydrates, and water. This switch from type of fluid to amount of fluid was crucial in order to prevent dehydration from diarrhea. Breast feeding and eating should resume as soon as possible. Drinks such as soft drinks, fruit juices, or sweetened teas are not recommended as they contain too much sugar and may worsen diarrhea. Broad spectrum antibiotics are recommended in all severely undernourished children with diarrhea requiring admission to hospital. To prevent dehydration readily available fluids, preferably with a modest amount of sugars and salt such as vegetable broth or salted rice water, may be used. The drinking of additional clean water is also recommended. Once dehydration develops oral rehydration solutions are preferred. As much of these drinks as the person wants can be given, unless there are signs of swelling. If vomiting occurs, fluids can be paused for 5 -- 10 minutes and then restarting more slowly. Vomiting rarely prevents rehydration as fluid are still absorbed and the vomiting rarely last long. A severely malnourished child with what appears to be dehydration but who has not had diarrhea should be treated as if they have an infection. For babies a dropper or syringe without the needle can be used to put small amounts of fluid into the mouth ; for children under 2, a teaspoon every one to two minutes ; and for older children and adults, frequent sips directly from a cup. After the first two hours, rehydration should be continued at the same or slower rate, determined by how much fluid the child wants and any ongoing diarrheal loses. After the first two hours of rehydration it is recommended that to alternate between rehydration and food. In 2003, WHO and UNICEF recommended a reduced - osmolarity ORS which still treats dehydration but also reduced stool volume and vomiting. Reduced - osmolarity ORS is the current standard ORS with reasonably wide availability. For general use, one packet of ORS ( glucose sugar, salt, potassium chloride, and trisodium citrate ) is added to one liter of water ; however, for malnourished children it is recommended that one packet of ORS be added to two liters of water along with an extra 50 grams of sucrose sugar and some stock potassium solution. Malnourished children have an excess of body sodium. Recommendations for home remedies agree with one liter of water ( 34 oz. ) and 6 teaspoons sugar and disagree regarding whether it is then one teaspoon of salt added or only 1 / 2, with perhaps most sources recommending 1 / 2 teaspoon of added salt to one liter water. Low blood sugar Hypoglycemia, whether known or suspected, can be treated with a mixture of sugar and water. If the child is conscious, the initial dose of sugar and water can be given by mouth. If the child is unconscious, give glucose by intravenous or nasogastric tube. If seizures occur after despite glucose, rectal diazepam is recommended. Blood sugar levels should be re-checked on two hour intervals. Hypothermia Hypothermia can occur. To prevent or treat this, the child can be kept warm with covering including of the head or by direct skin - to - skin contact with the mother or father and then covering both parent and child. Prolonged bathing or prolonged medical exams should be avoided. Warming methods are usually most important at night. Economics There is a growing realization among aid groups that giving cash or cash vouchers instead of food is a cheaper, faster, and more efficient way to deliver help to the hungry, particularly in areas where food is available but unaffordable. The UN 's World Food Program, the biggest non-governmental distributor of food, announced that it will begin distributing cash and vouchers instead of food in some areas, which Josette Sheeran, the WFP 's executive director, described as a `` revolution '' in food aid. The aid agency Concern Worldwide is piloting a method through a mobile phone operator, Safaricom, which runs a money transfer program that allows cash to be sent from one part of the country to another. However, for people in a drought living a long way from and with limited access to markets, delivering food may be the most appropriate way to help. Fred Cuny stated that `` the chances of saving lives at the outset of a relief operation are greatly reduced when food is imported. By the time it arrives in the country and gets to people, many will have died. '' U.S. law, which requires buying food at home rather than where the hungry live, is inefficient because approximately half of what is spent goes for transport. Cuny further pointed out `` studies of every recent famine have shown that food was available in - country -- though not always in the immediate food deficit area '' and `` even though by local standards the prices are too high for the poor to purchase it, it would usually be cheaper for a donor to buy the hoarded food at the inflated price than to import it from abroad. '' Ethiopia has been pioneering a program that has now become part of the World Bank 's prescribed method for coping with a food crisis and had been seen by aid organizations as a model of how to best help hungry nations. Through the country 's main food assistance program, the Productive Safety Net Program, Ethiopia has been giving rural residents who are chronically short of food, a chance to work for food or cash. Foreign aid organizations like the World Food Program were then able to buy food locally from surplus areas to distribute in areas with a shortage of food. Ethiopia been pioneering a program, and Brazil has established a recycling program for organic waste that benefits farmers, urban poor, and the city in general. City residents separate organic waste from their garbage, bag it, and then exchange it for fresh fruit and vegetables from local farmers. As a result, the country 's waste is reduced and the urban poor get a steady supply of nutritious food. Epidemiology Main article : Epidemiology of malnutrition Percentage of population affected by undernutrition by country Disability - adjusted life year for nutritional deficiencies per 100,000 inhabitants in 2004. Nutritional deficiencies included : protein - energy malnutrition, iodine deficiency, vitamin A deficiency, and iron deficiency anaemia. no data < 200 200 - 400 400 - 600 600 - 800 800 - 1000 1000 - 1200 1200 - 1400 1400 - 1600 1600 - 1800 1800 - 2000 2000 - 2200 > 2200 The figures provided in this section on epidemiology all refer to undernutrition even if the term malnutrition is used which, by definition, could also apply to too much nutrition. People affected There were 793 million undernourished people in the world in 2015. This was 216 million fewer people than in 1990 when it was 991 million undernourished people. This is despite the world 's farmers producing enough food to feed around 12 billion people -- almost double the current world population. Malnutrition, as of 2010, was the cause of 1.4 % of all disability adjusted life years. Number of undernourished globally Year 1970 1980 1995 2005 2007 / 08 2014 / 16 Number in millions 843 788 848 923 793 Percentage in the developing world 37 % 28 % 20 % 16 % 17 % 13.5 % Mortality Deaths from nutritional deficiencies per million persons in 2012 0 - 4 5 - 8 9 - 13 14 - 23 24 - 34 35 - 56 57 - 91 92 - 220 221 - 365 366 - 1,207 Mortality due to malnutrition accounted for 58 percent of the total mortality in 2006 : `` In the world, approximately 62 million people, all causes of death combined, die each year. One in twelve people worldwide is malnourished and according to the Save the Children 2012 report, one in four of the world 's children are chronically malnourished. In 2006, more than 36 million died of hunger or diseases due to deficiencies in micronutrients ''. In 2010 protein - energy malnutrition resulted in 600,000 deaths down from 883,000 deaths in 1990. Other nutritional deficiencies, which include iodine deficiency and iron deficiency anemia, result in another 84,000 deaths. In 2010 malnutrition caused about 1.5 million deaths in women and children. According to the World Health Organization, malnutrition is the biggest contributor to child mortality, present in half of all cases. Six million children die of hunger every year. Underweight births and intrauterine growth restrictions cause 2.2 million child deaths a year. Poor or non-existent breastfeeding causes another 1.4 million. Other deficiencies, such as lack of vitamin A or zinc, for example, account for 1 million. Malnutrition in the first two years is irreversible. Malnourished children grow up with worse health and lower education achievement. Their own children tend to be smaller. Malnutrition was previously seen as something that exacerbates the problems of diseases such as measles, pneumonia and diarrhea, but malnutrition actually causes diseases, and can be fatal in its own right. Society and culture Roughly $300 million of aid goes to basic nutrition each year, less than $2 for each child below two in the 20 worst affected countries. In contrast, HIV / AIDS, which causes fewer deaths than child malnutrition, received $2.2 billion -- $67 per person with HIV in all countries. The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics ( ICRISAT ), a member of the CGIAR consortium, partners with farmers, governments, researchers and NGOs to help farmers grow nutritious crops, such as chickpea, groundnut, pigeonpea, millet and sorghum. This helps their communities have more balanced diets and become more resilient to pests and drought. The Harnessing Opportunities for Productivity Enhancement of Sorghum and Millets in Sub-Saharan Africa and the Indian - Subcontinent ( HOPE ) project, for example, is increasing yields of finger millet in Tanzania by encouraging farmers to grow improved varieties. Finger millet is very high in calcium, rich in iron and fiber, and has a better energy content than other cereals. These characteristics make it ideal for feeding to infants and the elderly. Some organizations have begun working with teachers, policymakers, and managed food service contractors to mandate improved nutritional content and increased nutritional resources in school cafeterias from primary to university - level institutions. Health and nutrition have been proven to have close links with overall educational success. The verb form is `` malnourish '' ; `` malnourishment '' is sometimes used instead of `` malnutrition. '' Special populations Undernutrition is an important determinant of maternal and child health, accounting for more than a third of child deaths and more than 10 percent of the total global disease burden according to 2008 studies. Children Main article : Malnutrition in children Malnourished children in Niger, during the 2005 famine. The World Health Organization estimates that malnutrition accounts for 54 percent of child mortality worldwide, about 1 million children. Another estimate also by WHO states that childhood underweight is the cause for about 35 % of all deaths of children under the age of five years worldwide. As underweight children are more vulnerable to almost all infectious diseases, the indirect disease burden of malnutrition is estimated to be an order of magnitude higher than the disease burden of the direct effects of malnutrition. The combination of direct and indirect deaths from malnutrition caused by unsafe water, sanitation and hygiene ( WASH ) practices is estimated to lead to 860,000 deaths per year in children under five years of age. Women Gender Researchers from the Centre for World Food Studies in 2003 found that the gap between levels of undernutrition in men and women is generally small, but that the gap varies from region to region and from country to country. These small - scale studies showed that female undernutrition prevalence rates exceeded male undernutrition prevalence rates in South / Southeast Asia and Latin America and were lower in Sub-Saharan Africa. Datasets for Ethiopia and Zimbabwe reported undernutrition rates between 1.5 and 2 times higher in men than in women ; however, in India and Pakistan, datasets rates of undernutrition were 1.5 - 2 times higher in women than in men. Intra-country variation also occurs, with frequent high gaps between regional undernutrition rates. Gender inequality in nutrition in some countries such as India is present in all stages of life. Studies on nutrition concerning gender bias within households look at patterns of food allocation, and one study from 2003 suggested that women often receive a lower share of food requirements than men. Gender discrimination, gender roles, and social norms affecting women can lead to early marriage and childbearing, close birth spacing, and undernutrition, all of which contribute to malnourished mothers. Within the household, there may be differences in levels of malnutrition between men and women, and these differences have been shown to vary significantly from one region to another, with problem areas showing relative deprivation of women. Samples of 1000 women in India in 2008 demonstrated that malnutrition in women is associated with poverty, lack of development and awareness, and illiteracy. The same study showed that gender discrimination in households can prevent a woman 's access to sufficient food and healthcare. How socialization affects the health of women in Bangladesh, Najma Rivzi explains in an article about a research program on this topic. In some cases, such as in parts of Kenya in 2006, rates of malnutrition in pregnant women were even higher than rates in children. Women in some societies are traditionally given less food than men since men are perceived to have heavier workloads. Household chores and agricultural tasks can in fact be very arduous and require additional energy and nutrients ; however, physical activity, which largely determines energy requirements, is difficult to estimate. Physiology Women have unique nutritional requirements, and in some cases need more nutrients than men ; for example, women need twice as much calcium as men. Pregnancy and breastfeeding During pregnancy and breastfeeding, women must ingest enough nutrients for themselves and their child, so they need significantly more protein and calories during these periods, as well as more vitamins and minerals ( especially iron, iodine, calcium, folic acid, and vitamins A, C, and K ). In 2001 the FAO of the UN reported that iron deficiency afflicted 43 percent of women in developing countries and increased the risk of death during childbirth. A 2008 review of interventions estimated that universal supplementation with calcium, iron, and folic acid during pregnancy could prevent 105,000 maternal deaths ( 23.6 percent of all maternal deaths ). Frequent pregnancies with short intervals between them and long periods of breastfeeding add an additional nutritional burden. Educating children According to the FAO, women are often responsible for preparing food and have the chance to educate their children about beneficial food and health habits, giving mothers another chance to improve the nutrition of their children. Elderly Essential nutrients are one of the main requirements of elderly care. Malnutrition and being underweight are more common in the elderly than in adults of other ages. If elderly people are healthy and active, the aging process alone does not usually cause malnutrition. However, changes in body composition, organ functions, adequate energy intake and ability to eat or access food are associated with aging, and may contribute to malnutrition. Sadness or depression can play a role, causing changes in appetite, digestion, energy level, weight, and well - being. A study on the relationship between malnutrition and other conditions in the elderly found that malnutrition in the elderly can result from gastrointestinal and endocrine system disorders, loss of taste and smell, decreased appetite and inadequate dietary intake. Poor dental health, ill - fitting dentures, or chewing and swallowing problems can make eating difficult. As a result of these factors, malnutrition is seen to develop more easily in the elderly. Rates of malnutrition tend to increase with age with less than 10 percent of the `` young '' elderly ( up to age 75 ) malnourished, while 30 to 65 percent of the elderly in home care, long - term care facilities, or acute hospitals are malnourished. Many elderly people require assistance in eating, which may contribute to malnutrition. Because of this, one of the main requirements of elderly care is to provide an adequate diet and all essential nutrients. In Australia malnutrition or risk of malnutrition occurs in 80 percent of elderly people presented to hospitals for admission. Malnutrition and weight loss can contribute to sarcopenia with loss of lean body mass and muscle function. Abdominal obesity or weight loss coupled with sarcopenia lead to immobility, skeletal disorders, insulin resistance, hypertension, atherosclerosis, and metabolic disorders. A paper from the Journal of the American Dietetic Association noted that routine nutrition screenings represent one way to detect and therefore decrease the prevalence of malnutrition in the elderly. See also Hunger relief portal Agrobiodiversity Hunger Eating disorder Community Therapeutic Care NutritionDay Malnutrition in South Africa Malnutrition in India Malnutrition in Zimbabwe Malnutrition in Peru Metabolic disease Child health and nutrition in Africa References ^ Jump up to : Facts for life ( PDF ) ( 4th ed. ). New York : United Nations Children 's Fund. 2010. pp. 61 and 75. 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See especially Ch. 4 `` Management of Acute Diarrhoea ( Without Blood ) '' and Ch. 8 `` Management of Diarrhoea With Severe Malnutrition. '' Jump up ^ Victora, Cesar ; Bryce, Jennifer ( Jan 2000 ). `` Reducing deaths from diarrhoea through oral rehydration therapy ''. Bulletin of the World Health Organization ( 10 ). ^ Jump up to : `` 4. Management of acute diarrhoea without blood ''. The Treatment of diarrhoea : a manual for physicians and other senior health workers. ( PDF ) ( 4 ed. ). Geneva : World Health Organization. 2005. pp. 8 -- 16. ISBN 924159318 0. Jump up ^ WHO Drug Information Vol. 16, No. 2, 2002. Jump up ^ Low - osmolarity oral rehydration solution ( ORS ), Rehydrate Project, updated : April 23, 2014. Jump up ^ The Treatment of Diarrhoea : A manual for physicians and other senior health workers, WHO, 2005. Specifically, 45 milliliters of potassium chloride solution from a stock solution containing 100g KCl per liter, along with one packet of ORS, two liters of water, and 50 grams of sucrose. And please remember, sucrose has approximately twice the molecular weight of glucose, with one mole of glucose weighing 180 g and one mole of sucrose weighing 342 g. Jump up ^ `` Guidelines for the control of shigellosis, including epidemics due to Shigella dysenteriae type 1 ''. World Health Organization, 2005, Annex 12 - Preparation of Home Made Oral Rehydration Solution, page 51 ( 57 in PDF ) : `` Ingredients : Half a teaspoon of salt ( 2.5 grams ), six level teaspoons of sugar ( 30 grams ) and one litre of safe drinking water ''. Jump up ^ `` Dehydration, treatments and drugs. '' Mayo Clinic 7 January 2011. `` In an emergency situation where a pre-formulated solution is unavailable, you can make your own oral rehydration solution by mixing half teaspoon salt, six level teaspoons of sugar and one litre ( about 1 quart ) of safe drinking water. '' Jump up ^ Family Practice Notebook, Oral Rehydration Solution, Scott Moses, MD, Feb. 1, 2014. Jump up ^ National Guidelines for the Management of Severely Malnourished Children in Bangladesh recommends, for initial hypoglycemia, a 50 milliliter bolus of 10 % glucose or sucrose. This can also be achieved by added 1 rounded teaspoon of sugar to 10.5 teaspoons of water ( which is 3.5 tablespoons of water ). ^ Jump up to : `` UN aid debate : give cash not food ? ''. Christian Science Monitor. 2008 - 06 - 04. Jump up ^ `` Cash roll - out to help hunger hot spots ''. World Food Programme. December 8, 2008. Archived from the original on February 12, 2009. Jump up ^ Andrew S. Natsios ( Administrator U.S. Agency for International Development ) Jump up ^ Memorandum to former Representative Steve Solarz ( United States, Democratic Party, New York ), July 1994 Jump up ^ `` A model of African food aid is now in trouble ''. Christian Science Monitor. 2008 - 05 - 06. Jump up ^ `` Mortality and Burden of Disease Estimates for WHO Member States in 2002 '' ( xls ). World Health Organization. 2002. Jump up ^ Jean Ziegler. `` Promotion And Protection Of All Human Rights, Civil, Political, Economic, Social And Cultural Rights, Including The Right To Development : Report of the Special Rapporteur on the right to food, Jean Ziegler ''. Human Rights Council of the United Nations, January 10, 2008. `` According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations ( FAO ), the world already produces enough food to feed every child, woman and man and could feed 12 billion people, or double the current world population. '' Jump up ^ Food and Agriculture Organization Economic and Social Development Department. `` The State of Food Insecurity in the World, 2008 : High food prices and food security -- threats and opportunities ''. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 2008, p. 48. Jump up ^ Food and Agriculture Organization Agricultural and Development Economics Division. `` The State of Food Insecurity in the World, 2006 : Eradicating world hunger -- taking stock ten years after the World Food Summit ''. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 2006, p. 8. `` Because of population growth, the very small decrease in the number of hungry people has nevertheless resulted in a reduction in the proportion of undernourished people in the developing countries by 3 percentage points -- from 20 percent in 1990 -- 92 to 17 percent in 2001 -- 03. (... ) the prevalence of undernourishment declined by 9 percent ( from 37 percent to 28 percent ) between 1969 -- 71 and 1979 -- 81 and by a further 8 percentage points ( to 20 percent ) between 1979 -- 81 and 1990 -- 92. ''. Jump up ^ Food and Agriculture Organization Economic and Social Development Department. `` The State of Food Insecurity in the World, 2008 : High food prices and food security -- threats and opportunities ''. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 2008, p. 6. `` Good progress in reducing the share of hungry people in the developing world had been achieved -- down from almost 20 percent in 1990 -- 92 to less than 18 percent in 1995 -- 97 and just above 16 percent in 2003 -- 05. The estimates show that rising food prices have thrown that progress into reverse, with the proportion of undernourished people worldwide moving back towards 17 percent. ''. Jump up ^ http://www.savethechildren.org/atf/cf/%7B9def2ebe-10ae-432c-9bd0-df91d2eba74a%7D/STATE-OF-THE-WORLDS-MOTHERS-REPORT-2012-FINAL.PDF Archived May 23, 2012, at the Wayback Machine. Jump up ^ Ziegler, Jean ( 2007 ). L'Empire de la honte. Fayard. p. 130. ISBN 978 - 2 - 253 - 12115 - 2. ^ Jump up to : Lozano R, Naghavi M, Foreman K, et al. ( December 2012 ). `` Global and regional mortality from 235 causes of death for 20 age groups in 1990 and 2010 : a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2010 ''. Lancet. 380 ( 9859 ) : 2095 -- 128. PMID 23245604. doi : 10.1016 / S0140 - 6736 ( 12 ) 61728 - 0. hdl : 10536 / DRO / DU : 30050819. ^ Jump up to : `` Malnutrition The Starvelings ''. The Economist. 2008 - 01 - 24. Jump up ^ `` U.N. chief : Hunger kills 17,000 kids daily ''. CNN. 2009 - 11 - 17. Jump up ^ Alina Paul Bossuet, Nourishing Communities Through Holistic Farming `` Archived copy ''. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved 2014 - 01 - 26... ICRISAT. Downloaded 26 January 2014. Jump up ^ Jere R. Behrman ( February 1996 ). `` The Impact of Health and Nutrition on Education ''. The World Bank Research Observer. 11 ( 1 ) : 23 -- 37. JSTOR 3986477. doi : 10.1093 / wbro / 11.1. 23. Jump up ^ Manary, Mark J. ; Indi Trehan, Hayley S. Goldbach, Lacey N. LaGrone, Guthrie J. Meuli, Richard J. Wang, and Kenneth M. Maleta ( January 31, 2013 ). `` Antibiotics as Part of the Management of Severe Acute Malnutrition ''. The New England Journal of Medicine. 368 ( 5 ) : 425 -- 435. PMC 3654668. PMID 23363496. doi : 10.1056 / NEJMoa1202851. Retrieved January 31, 2013. The addition of antibiotics to therapeutic regimens for uncomplicated severe acute malnutrition was associated with a significant improvement in recovery and mortality rates. CS1 maint : Multiple names : authors list ( link ) ^ Jump up to : Prüss - Üstün, A., Bos, R., Gore, F., Bartram, J. ( 2008 ). Safer water, better health - Costs, benefits and sustainability of interventions to protect and promote health. World Health Organization ( WHO ), Geneva, Switzerland ^ Jump up to : Nubé, M. ; Van Den Boom, G.J.M. ( 2003 ). `` Gender and adult undernutrition in developing countries ''. Annals of Human Biology. 30 ( 5 ) : 520 -- 537. PMID 12959894. doi : 10.1080 / 0301446031000119601. ^ Jump up to : Dewan, Manju ( 2008 ). `` Malnutrition in Women '' ( PDF ). Stud. Home Comm. Sci. 2 ( 1 ) : 7 -- 10. Retrieved March 3, 2014. Jump up ^ Najma Rizvi ( March 2013 ). `` Enduring misery ''. dandc.eu. Jump up ^ Carter, Rachel Bonham. `` Survey Reveals High Malnutrition Rates Among Pregnant Women in Kenya ''. UNICEF. Retrieved March 3, 2014. ^ Jump up to : `` Gender and Nutrition 2001 ''. Food and Agriculture of the United Nations. Retrieved August 22, 2016. Jump up ^ Bhutta, Z.A. ; Ahmed, T. ; Black, R.E. ; Cousens, S. ; Dewey, K. ; Giugliani, E. ; Haider, B.A. ; Kirkwood, B. ; Morris, S.S. ; Sachdev, H.P.S. ; Shekar, M. ; Maternal Child Undernutrition Study Group ( 2008 ). `` What works ? Interventions for maternal and child undernutrition and survival ''. The Lancet. 371 ( 9610 ) : 417 -- 440. PMID 18206226. doi : 10.1016 / S0140 - 6736 ( 07 ) 61693 - 6. ^ Jump up to : Kvamme, January -- Magnus ; Olsen, Jan Abel, Florholmen, Jon, Jacobsen, Bjarne K. ( 2011 ). `` Risk of malnutrition and health - related quality of life in community - living elderly men and women : The Tromsø study ''. Quality of Life Research. 20 ( 4 ) : 575 -- 582. PMC 3075394. PMID 21076942. doi : 10.1007 / s11136 - 010 - 9788 - 0. CS1 maint : Multiple names : authors list ( link ) ^ Jump up to : Wellman, N.S ; Weddle, D.O, Kranz, S, Brain, C.T ( October 1997 ). `` Elder Insecurities : Poverty, Hunger, and Malnutrition ''. Journal of the American Dietetic Association. 97 ( 10 ) : S120 -- S122. PMID 9336570. doi : 10.1016 / S0002 - 8223 ( 97 ) 00744 - X. CS1 maint : Multiple names : authors list ( link ) ^ Jump up to : Saka, Bulent ; Kaya, Omer, Ozturk, Gulistan Bahat, Erten, Nilgun, Karan, M. Akif ( 2010 ). `` Malnutrition in the elderly and its relationship with other geriatric syndromes ''. Clinical Nutrition. 29 ( 6 ) : 745 -- 748. PMID 20627486. doi : 10.1016 / j. clnu. 2010.04. 006. CS1 maint : Multiple names : authors list ( link ) ^ Jump up to : Volkert, Dorothee ( 2002 ). `` Malnutrition in the elderly -- prevalence, causes and corrective strategies ''. Clinical Nutrition. 21 : 110 -- 112. doi : 10.1016 / S0261 - 5614 ( 02 ) 80014 - 0. Jump up ^ Volkert, D. ( 2002 ). `` Malnutrition in the elderly -- prevalence, causes and corrective strategies ''. Clinical Nutrition. 21 : 110 -- 112. doi : 10.1016 / S0261 - 5614 ( 02 ) 80014 - 0. Jump up ^ Mamhidir, Anna - Greta ; Kihlgren, Mona, Soerlie, Venke ; Soerlie, V ( 2010 ). `` Malnutrition in elder care : qualitative analysis of ethical perceptions of politicians and civil servants ''. BMC Medical Ethics. 11 : 11. PMC 2927875. PMID 20553607. doi : 10.1186 / 1472 - 6939 - 11 - 11. CS1 maint : Multiple names : authors list ( link ) Jump up ^ Bolin, T. ; Bare, M. ; Caplan, G. ; Daniells, S. ; Holyday, M. ( 2010 ). `` Malabsorption may contribute to malnutrition in the elderly ''. Nutrition. 26 ( 7 -- 8 ) : 852 -- 853. PMID 20097534. doi : 10.1016 / j. nut. 2009.11. 016. External links Classification V T D ICD - 10 : E40 - E46 ICD - 9 - CM : 263.9 MeSH : D044342 External resources MedlinePlus : 000404 eMedicine : ped / 1360 Patient UK : Malnutrition Look up malnutrition or undernutrition in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. Malnutrition at DMOZ Malnutrition or nutrition disorders ( E40 -- E68, 260 -- 269 ) Malnutrition Protein - energy malnutrition Kwashiorkor Marasmus Catabolysis Vitamin deficiency B vitamins B : Beriberi / Wernicke -- Korsakoff syndrome ( Wernicke 's encephalopathy Korsakoff 's syndrome ) B : Riboflavin deficiency B : Pellagra ( Niacin deficiency ) B : Pyridoxine deficiency B : Biotin deficiency B : Folate deficiency B : Vitamin B deficiency Other vitamins A : Vitamin A deficiency / Bitot 's spots C : Scurvy D: Vitamin D deficiency / Rickets / Osteomalacia E : Vitamin E deficiency K : Vitamin K deficiency Mineral deficiency Sodium Potassium Magnesium Calcium Iron Zinc Manganese Copper Iodine Chromium Molybdenum Selenium ( Keshan disease ) Overnutrition Overweight Obesity Childhood obesity Obesity hypoventilation syndrome Abdominal obesity Vitamin poisoning Hypervitaminosis A Hypervitaminosis D Hypervitaminosis E Mineral overload see inborn errors of metal metabolism, toxicity Diseases of poverty Diseases of poverty AIDS Malaria Tuberculosis Measles Pneumonia Diarrheal diseases Neglected diseases Cholera Chagas disease African sleeping sickness Schistosomiasis Dracunculiasis River blindness Leishmaniasis Trachoma Miscellaneous Malnutrition Priority review voucher GND : 4138143 - 9 Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Malnutrition&oldid=807706573 '' Categories : Malnutrition Public health Humanitarian aid Nutrition Global issues Hidden categories : CS1 maint : Multiple names : authors list CS1 maint : Extra text : authors list All pages needing factual verification Wikipedia articles needing factual verification from November 2012 Webarchive template wayback links Use mdy dates from March 2014 All articles with unsourced statements Articles with unsourced statements from March 2015 All articles with vague or ambiguous time Vague or ambiguous time from September 2016 Articles with DMOZ links Wikipedia articles with GND identifiers RTT RTTID Talk Contents About Wikipedia Alemannisch Aragonés অসমীয়া Asturianu বাংলা Bân - lâm - gú Башҡортса Беларуская Беларуская ( тарашкевіца ) ‎ Български Bosanski Буряад Català Čeština Cymraeg Dansk Deutsch Ελληνικά Español Esperanto Eʋegbe فارسی Français Gaeilge Galego ગુજરાતી 한국어 Hausa हिन्दी Hrvatski Igbo Bahasa Indonesia IsiXhosa IsiZulu Íslenska Italiano עברית Basa Jawa ಕನ್ನಡ Қазақша Kiswahili Kurdî Latina Latviešu Limburgs Lingála മലയാളം मराठी Bahasa Melayu Mìng - dĕ̤ng - ngṳ̄ မြန်မာဘာသာ Nederlands नेपाली नेपाल भाषा 日本 語 Norsk Occitan ଓଡ଼ିଆ Oʻzbekcha / ўзбекча ਪੰਜਾਬੀ پنجابی Polski Português Română Русский संस्कृतम् Sesotho sa Leboa සිංහල Simple English Slovenčina Slovenščina Soomaaliga کوردی Српски / srpski Srpskohrvatski / српскохрватски Suomi Svenska Tagalog தமிழ் Татарча / tatarça తెలుగు ไทย Türkçe Українська اردو Tiếng Việt Winaray Wolof ייִדיש Yorùbá 粵語 中文 डोटेली Edit links This page was last edited on 29 October 2017, at 17 : 41. 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Question: in developed countries the major cause of malnutrition is
Answer: choosing the right kind of food