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Definition

Malnutrition is the condition that occurs when your body does not get enough nutrients.

Alternative Names

Nutrition - inadequate

Causes (V体育2025版)

There are many types of malnutrition, and they have different causes. Some causes include: VSports app下载.

  • Poor diet
  • Starvation due to food not being available
  • Eating disorders
  • Problems with digesting food or absorbing nutrients from food (malabsorption)
  • Certain medical conditions that make a person unable to eat

You may develop malnutrition if you lack a single vitamin in your diet. Lacking a vitamin or other nutrient is called a deficiency. V体育官网.

Sometimes malnutrition is very mild and causes no symptoms VSports手机版. Other times it can be so severe that the damage it does to the body is permanent, even though you survive.

Poverty, natural disasters, political problems, and war can all contribute to malnutrition and starvation, and not just in developing countries.

Some health conditions that are related to malnutrition are:

Malnutrition is a significant problem all over the world, especially among children. It is very harmful to children because it affects brain development and other growth. Children who suffer from malnutrition may have lifelong problems VSports最新版本. .

Symptoms

Symptoms of malnutrition vary and depend on its cause. General symptoms include fatigue, dizziness, and weight loss V体育平台登录.

Exams and Tests (VSports最新版本)

Testing depends on the specific disorder. Most health care providers will do a nutritional assessment and blood work VSports注册入口.

Treatment

Treatment most often consists of:

  • Replacing missing nutrients
  • Treating symptoms as needed
  • Treating any underlying medical condition

Outlook (Prognosis)

The outlook depends on the cause of the malnutrition V体育官网入口. Most nutritional deficiencies can be corrected. However, if malnutrition is caused by a medical condition, that illness has to be treated in order to reverse the nutritional deficiency.

"V体育2025版" Possible Complications

If untreated, malnutrition can lead to mental or physical disability, illness, and possibly death.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Talk to your provider about the risk of malnutrition V体育2025版. Treatment is necessary if you or your child have any changes in the body's ability to function. Contact your provider if these symptoms develop:.

  • Fainting
  • Lack of menstruation
  • Lack of growth in children
  • Rapid hair loss

"VSports app下载" Prevention

Eating a well-balanced diet helps to prevent most forms of malnutrition.

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The U. S. Department of Agriculture's newest food guide, called MyPlate, encourages consumers to make healthier food choices. The guide encourages you to make healthy choices and avoid oversized portions. Half your plate should be filled with fruits and vegetables. At least half of your grains should be whole grains. You also should switch to fat-free or low-fat milk.

References

Ashworth A. Nutrition, food security, and health. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics VSports app下载. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier;2020:chap 57.

Ziegler TR, Malnutrition: assessment and support. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 204 V体育官网.

Last reviewed April 1, 2025 by Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Professor Emeritus, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team..

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Independent doctors are not employed by UF Health, but may provide medical care at one of our locations.

News and patient stories: Malnutrition

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