Malnutrition
Nutrition is defined as the act of being nourished, however, not everyone in the world receives the adequate nutrition they need for life. This inadequate form of nutrition can be split into subcategories: malnutrition, which is undernutrition and overnutrition. Malnutrition is the term that encompasses both under- and overnutrition. Malnutrition takes place when people do not have the required and necessary calories and proteins for sustainability and growth, either by not consuming the right amount or by having an imbalance of consumption.
The picture below does not represent the number of people malnourished, but rather the number of people in the world hungry, as of 2010, discovered by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization. The FAO realized that determining the number of malnourished individuals was incredibly more difficult than determining whether or not people were hungry, which they defined as the want or scarcity of food in a country.
The picture below does not represent the number of people malnourished, but rather the number of people in the world hungry, as of 2010, discovered by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization. The FAO realized that determining the number of malnourished individuals was incredibly more difficult than determining whether or not people were hungry, which they defined as the want or scarcity of food in a country.
Undernutrition
Child suffering from undernutrition
Undernutrition, under the general heading of malnutrition, us usually known to be primarily a lack of proper calorie or protein intake. Whereas overnutrition is an excessive intake of nutrients, undernutrition is a nutrient deficiency. When your body doesn't have the efficent amount of nutrient intake, primarily that of carbohydrates, but also proteins, fats, minerals, and vitamins, your body tries to find other ways to get its necessities. It does this by going to your body's reserves of carbohydrate's sugars (glucose/glycogen). This results in a loss of weight that takes place over a three to six month time period.
There are many illnesses and diseases associated with undernutrition. One common caused by a lack of a needed mineral is anemia. Anemia is caused by an iron deficiency, which can delay brain development, sometimes irreversibly. Two other diseases common to the undernourished - primarily those people in developing countries - are kwashiorkor and marasmus. Kwashiorkor is caused when a person has enough caloric intake, but a definiceny in their protein intake. This causes a distended abdomen because kwashiorkor causes the body to retain more water than necesssary, building up in the abdominal region. Marasmus is a deficiency in both calorie and protein intake. This causes a more frail appearance, where the body is extremely thin and fragile looking.
There are many illnesses and diseases associated with undernutrition. One common caused by a lack of a needed mineral is anemia. Anemia is caused by an iron deficiency, which can delay brain development, sometimes irreversibly. Two other diseases common to the undernourished - primarily those people in developing countries - are kwashiorkor and marasmus. Kwashiorkor is caused when a person has enough caloric intake, but a definiceny in their protein intake. This causes a distended abdomen because kwashiorkor causes the body to retain more water than necesssary, building up in the abdominal region. Marasmus is a deficiency in both calorie and protein intake. This causes a more frail appearance, where the body is extremely thin and fragile looking.
Overnutrition
Overnutrition is the opposite of undernutrition, but with similar end results: health issues. Overnutrition takes place when a person supplies their body with more nutrients than needed to the point of causing dangerous bodily harm. Overnutrition is caused from eating too much and having the body take in more nutrients, such as carbohydrates, proteins, minerals, vitamins, and fats, than it has the capability of managing. An excess in any nutrient can be detrimental to a person's health, but overnutrition primarily lies with too much carbohydrates and/or fat intake.
There are also many illnesses and diseases that are associated with overnutrition. One serious disease that results from overnutrition is type II diabetes. This form of diabetes is caused by having more calorie and fat intake than the body can handle, which puts stress on the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). The ER is the part of the body that synthesizes proteins and processes fats, so when it is stressed it, it stops responding to an insulin output, causing type II diabetes.
Other than just causing specific diseases and illnesses, overnutrition can also lead to more general health problems. For instance, an excessive intake of vitamin D can lead to arteries hardening, kidney stones, over-calcification of bones and teeth, and in some extreme cases, even poisoning. A large amount of B1 (thiamin, aneurine) leads to nervousness, shaking and swelling, irregular heart beat, and allergic reactions, all of which are toxic symptoms.
There are also many illnesses and diseases that are associated with overnutrition. One serious disease that results from overnutrition is type II diabetes. This form of diabetes is caused by having more calorie and fat intake than the body can handle, which puts stress on the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). The ER is the part of the body that synthesizes proteins and processes fats, so when it is stressed it, it stops responding to an insulin output, causing type II diabetes.
Other than just causing specific diseases and illnesses, overnutrition can also lead to more general health problems. For instance, an excessive intake of vitamin D can lead to arteries hardening, kidney stones, over-calcification of bones and teeth, and in some extreme cases, even poisoning. A large amount of B1 (thiamin, aneurine) leads to nervousness, shaking and swelling, irregular heart beat, and allergic reactions, all of which are toxic symptoms.