Since the long-term effects of malnutrition can increase your risk of certain diseases, preventing and treating malnutrition may help reduce the prevalence of chronic health conditions. Research has linked undernutrition in childhood with a higher risk of developing high blood pressure and obesity later in life. Overnutrition may also increase your likelihood of chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
Malnutrition is a worldwide problem that can result from environmental, economic and medical conditions. The WHO estimates that over million adults and million children are undernourished, while more than two billion adults and children are overweight or obese Malnutrition affects people in all parts of the world, but some populations are at a higher risk.
Older individuals, people living in poverty and those with digestive problems or an increased nutrient need are at high risk of malnutrition. Government agencies, independent organizations and schools can play a role in preventing malnutrition. Research suggests that some of the most effective ways to prevent malnutrition include providing iron, zinc and iodine pills, food supplements and nutrition education to populations at risk of undernutrition In addition, interventions that encourage healthy food choices and physical activity for children and adults at risk of overnutrition may help prevent overweight and obesity 46 , You can also help prevent malnutrition by eating a diet with a variety of foods that include enough carbs, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals and water.
If you suspect that you or someone you know is undernourished, talk to a doctor as soon as possible. A healthcare provider can assess the signs and symptoms of undernutrition and recommend interventions, such as working with a dietitian to develop a feeding schedule that may include supplements. Interventions that encourage a healthy lifestyle or provide nutrition education and supplements may help decrease the prevalence of malnutrition.
Treatment usually involves assessment by a doctor and recommendations from a dietitian. People who are undernourished may experience weight loss, fatigue and mood changes or develop vitamin and mineral deficiencies.
Overnutrition can lead to overweight, obesity and inadequate micronutrient intakes and deficiencies. If you believe that you or someone you know may be malnourished, especially undernourished, talk to a doctor as soon as possible. Kwashiorkor and marasmus are forms of undernutrition. Learn the difference between these two conditions.
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High protein diets are popular right now. This article reviews the science behind protein in the diet and whether high protein diets are dangerous. A lack of nutrients in the body can be caused by a number of circumstances and conditions. For example, in developing countries, such as in many African countries, chronic long-term malnutrition is a large scale and ongoing problem, which is the result of people not having enough food to eat on a daily basis.
Not eating enough food to maintain proper body function, or eating an imbalanced diet that does not provide you with the nutrients needed to maintain a good, all round level of health, will cause you to become malnourished. An inadequate diet can occur for a number of reasons. For example, if you are unwell, or you are recovering from an illness, such as a stroke, throat or mouth cancer, or gastro-oesophageal reflux disease GORD , you may develop dysphagia. Dysphagia can arise as a complication of these conditions and, for some people, it makes it difficult to swallow certain foods, or liquids.
Some people with dysphagia are completely unable to swallow. Mental health conditions, such as depression, can sometimes make you feel like not eating and can lead to malnutrition.
Similarly, eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia, can also result in malnutrition because the amount of food that is consumed by someone with an eating disorder is often very low. Mobility problems, which are particularly common among the elderly, are another potential cause of malnutrition, as they can prevent people getting to the shops to buy food, or from preparing food for themselves.
If the food that you eat is not digested properly, your body will be unable to absorb the nutrients that it needs to function effectively.
An ileostomy involves removing part of the small intestine. In some cases, the colon large intestine and rectum back passage may also need to be removed. If you have an ileostomy, you will need to have a low fibre diet for the first few months after the procedure, and you may need to take vitamin supplements until you are able to resume a normal diet.
Coeliac disease is a bowel condition that is caused by intolerance to a protein called gluten. In coeliac disease, the immune system mistakes gluten as being harmful and attacks it, damaging the lining of the intestines gut so that it is unable to absorb food properly. If you have coeliac disease, you will need to exclude gluten from your diet, and you may also need to take vitamin and mineral supplements. Diarrhoea and vomiting can also lead to the body losing vital nutrients and, in severe cases, can cause symptoms of malnutrition.
People who misuse alcohol can sometimes become malnourished because alcohol contains enough calories to stop you feeling hungry, but it does not contain the necessary nutrients that are required to stay healthy. It is very important that malnutrition is detected as early as possible in order to prevent the condition getting worse, and to devise an appropriate nutritional treatment programme for the patient.
MUST is a five-step tool that can be used by health professional in hospitals, or in the community, to accurately identify those who are at risk from malnutrition. The tool also includes guidelines for introducing an effective treatment plan that is appropriate for the patient.
MUST can only be used to identify malnutrition in adults, or adults who are at risk of becoming malnourished. The tool is also not designed to identify deficiencies or excesses in the intake of vitamins and minerals. Treatment for malnutrition will depend on its severity, and whether you have any underlying illnesses, or conditions, that are causing you to be malnourished.
Any underlying causes will need to be addressed. NICE also recommend that patients who are having nutritional support and their carers should be:. Once malnutrition has been identified, or if there is a risk that you will become malnourished, the healthcare professional who is responsible for your care will devise an appropriate care plan for you.
This healthcare professional may be a doctor or a dietician a nutritional specialist. The care plan will set out the aims and objectives of your treatment, and will include treating any underlying conditions that are causing, or contributing to, your malnutrition.
Treatment will involve a programme of feeding using a specially devised diet, which may include additional nutritional supplements. If you are severely malnourished, or unable to obtain enough nutrition orally to meet your nutritional requirements, artificial nutritional support may be needed. Your care plan will also involve carefully monitoring your progress, and periodically reviewing your treatment, in order to ensure that your nutritional needs are being met.
The healthcare professional responsible for your care will discuss eating and drinking with you, and will give you advice about making healthy food choices. They will be able to help ensure that you have a healthy, nutritious diet. Your healthcare professional will work with you to ensure that you are consuming enough calories from the basic food groups - carbohydrates, proteins, fats, and dairy - and that you are getting a good supply of vitamins and minerals.
If you have problems with mobility, they may also be able to offer you assistance with food shopping and cooking. In some cases of malnutrition, oral supplements may be needed if it is not possible to meet your nutritional requirements from food alone.
They may therefore not eat enough healthful food to supply the body with essential nutrients. In some parts of the world, widespread and long-term malnutrition can result from a lack of food.
Some people may need to take supplements if they follow a specific diet. Which supplements are good for a person following vegan diet? Find out here. Research has shown this to be a reliable tool. Experts designed this tool to identify adults, especially older adults, with malnourishment or a high risk of malnutrition. It is a five-step plan that can help healthcare providers diagnose and treat these conditions.
Step 2 : Note the percentage of unplanned weight loss and provide a score. Step 3 : Identify any mental or physical health conditions and provide a score. For example, if a person has been acutely ill and taken no food for over 5 days, the score will be 3. Doctors only use MUST to identify overall malnutrition or the risk of malnutrition in adults.
The test will not identify specific nutritional imbalances or deficiencies. If a doctor diagnoses malnutrition, they will make a treatment plan for the person. The person may also need to meet with a nutritionist and other healthcare providers. Treatment will depend on the severity of the malnutrition and the presence of any other underlying conditions or complications.
It may include :. To prevent malnutrition, people need to consume a range of nutrients from a variety of food types. Older adults, young children, people with severe or chronic illness, and others may need additional care to ensure that they obtain the nutrients they need.
Anyone who starts to show signs of malnutrition or undernutrition should see a doctor for a diagnosis and treatment. In the U. The body needs vitamins to help it work as best it can. A healthful diet has many and varied health benefits, including a reduced risk of various diseases and health conditions, improved mood, and better…. A person on a calorie diet eats only about a quarter of the recommended daily intake.
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