They fall ill more often. If they survive, they may grow up with lasting mental or physical disabilities. The human suffering and waste that is caused by illness and malnourishment is often preventable. Today, breastfeeding is often stopped too early, children's nutritional needs are not sufficiently understood and cultural prejudices frequently imprison women and children in poverty. Human body uses food as energy and as building blocks to different tissues and different components in the body.
Human body can use carbohydrates, fat, protein and alchol as a source of energy.
When the intake of energy is not optimal in the long run this can lead to malnutrition. Too much food causes overweight or obesity and too little food leads to underweight and malnutrition. Optimal intake of minerals and vitamins is also important for normal growth and development.