Malnutrition

Malnutrition is the condition that develops when the body is deprived of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients it needs to maintain healthy tissues and organ function. Poor eating habits or lack of available food may lead to malnutrition. Malnutrition occurs in children who are either undernourished or overnourished. Malnutrition can be found all over the world, affecting young children, adults, and even animals. Breastfeeding a baby for at least six months is considered the best way to prevent early-childhood malnutrition. The main cause of malnutrition is poverty.

Malnutrition in the U.S

In the U.S. today, more children suffer from malnutrition due to dietary imbalances rather than nutritional deficiencies. About 1% of children in the United States suffer from chronic malnutrition.  Looking through our text for this class and on the Internet, I did not find that much information about malnutrition in the U.S. I feel this is because our country has the money and technology to help those out immediately who may be suffering from malnutrition.

Malnutrition in Africa

Malnutrition is known as the “silent emergency.”  Nearly 12 million (4 million in Sub-Saharan Africa) children under the age of 5 die annually. 55% of these deaths are caused by malnutrition. In Sub-Saharan Africa every third child is malnourished, while 2 out of 5 are stunted in growth. Malnutrition in composed of two reinforcing factors: insufficient nutrient intake and illness. The most common form of malnutrition in Africa is protein energy deficiency, affecting over 100 million people, especially 30-50 million children under the age of 5. “South Africa provides nutrient-fortified flour to 30 million of its 46 million citizens. Nigeria adds vitamin A to flour, cooking oil and sugar. Ethiopia’s government hopes to iodize all salt by year’s end. United Nations programs now cover three in four sub-Saharan children with twice-a-year doses of vitamin A supplements” (www.nytimes.com)

Symptoms of Malnutrition

•                Pale, thick, and dry skin

•                Bruises easily

•                Rashes

•                Changes in skin pigmentation

•                Thin hair that is tightly curled, and pulls out easily

•                Achy joints 

•                Bones are soft and tender

•                Gums bleed easily

•                Tongue may be swollen or shriveled and cracked

•                Night blindness

Increased sensitivity to light and glare ( www.hopkinschildren.org)