Malnutrition is a condition that occurs when the body gets too little or too much of it. The impact of malnutrition on health should not be underestimated. In addition to weakening the immune system, this condition can trigger various diseases, such as heart disease or type 2 diabetes.
The occurrence of malnutrition can be caused by several factors, ranging from unhealthy eating patterns, lack of access to food supplies, extreme diets, to disorders or diseases of the digestive tract that cause problems with absorption of nutrients, such as celiac disease and Crohn's disease.
The Possible Impact of Malnutrition
In general, malnutrition has 2 forms, namely undernutrition and excess nutrition. Undernourished conditions are quite common in children, but can also occur in adults and the elderly.
In children, malnutrition can cause them to experience growth and development disorders, reduced levels of intelligence and academic achievement, underweight, and poor health stunting. Meanwhile, excess nutrition, both in children and adults, can lead to obesity.
People with malnutrition are also very at risk of experiencing various health problems or other diseases, such as:
- insulin resistance
- Hypertension
- Discipdemia
- Type 2 diabetes
- Cardiovascular disease
- Immunodeficiency
- Impaired fertility or infertility
Recognizing Symptoms of Malnutrition
The human body requires calories and various nutrients in sufficient quantities to carry out the functions of its organs. Without adequate nutrition, the body can become weaker and more susceptible to disease.
For example, due to lack of nutrition, muscle and bone tissue will weaken and become brittle. Whereas in the brain, malnutrition can cause difficulty thinking, remembering, and concentrating. The impact of malnutrition can also cause your immune system to weaken, making you more susceptible to infection.
In general, here are some symptoms that can appear in people with malnutrition:
- Weak and lethargic
- Decreased appetite
- Dry skin
- Hair loss
- Easy chill
- Tingling or numbness in the hands and feet
- Diarrhea
- Old wounds heal
- Often experience symptoms of infection, such as fever, cough, runny nose, or ulcers appear on the skin.
In addition to the importance of understanding the symptoms of malnutrition, you also need to know the most common types of malnutrition, namely:
1. Kwashiorkor
Kwashiorkor is a condition of malnutrition in which a person is deficient in large amounts of protein. Usually this happens because of an unhealthy diet or because of poverty, so that a person cannot get enough protein intake.
This type of malnutrition can be recognized by several signs and symptoms, such as swelling in the hands and feet (edema), an enlarged or distended abdomen, weakness, dry and cracked skin, brownish or corn-like hair, and thinning muscle tissue.
2. Marasmus
Marasmus is a type of malnutrition caused by a lack of energy or calories, protein, and other nutrients, including carbohydrates and fats.
People who suffer from marasmus will generally appear very thin, with almost no muscle and fat tissue, dry skin and brittle hair, chronic diarrhea, and difficulty concentrating and emotional easily.
3. Marasmus-kwashiorkor
Marasmus-kwashiorkor is the most severe form of malnutrition. This condition is common in children, but adults can also experience it.
This disease is characterized by swelling in the body, distended abdomen, very weak body, slower breathing, dry skin and easy bruising, and body weight that is far below normal. People who are malnourished can also be susceptible to infection or take longer to heal when infected or injured.
4. Vitamin and mineral deficiency
Vitamin and mineral deficiencies occur when the body does not get enough vitamins and minerals. This condition can occur together with other poor nutritional conditions.
Symptoms of vitamin and mineral deficiency can vary, depending on the type of vitamin and mineral deficiency. For example, a lack of iron intake can cause anemia, while a lack of vitamin C can cause scurvy.
However, in general, symptoms due to vitamin and mineral deficiency are easy fatigue, decreased appetite, muscle cramps or pain, hair loss, brittle nails, sores or blisters appear at the corners of the lips, sore tongue, canker sores. and bleeding gums.
How to Overcome and Prevent Malnutrition
Each country is responsible for meeting the nutritional adequacy of its population, especially toddlers and children. In Indonesia, efforts to improve nutrition for individuals and communities are carried out through several programs, including:
Improved diet
Improving the intake of healthy and nutritionally balanced foods is the most effective way to overcome and prevent the effects of malnutrition. Some ways that can be done to improve eating patterns include:
- Get in the habit of eating a variety of staple foods and foods high in protein, healthy fats, and carbohydrates.
- Get in the habit of eating 3-4 servings of vegetables and 2-3 servings of fruit every day.
- Limit consumption of sweet, salty, and fatty foods.
- Sufficient fluid needs by drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day.
- Routinely do physical activity or exercise at least 30 minutes per day.
Monitoring nutritional status
Malnutrition in children can have an impact on growth and development, learning abilities, and their future.
Therefore, it is important for every parent to be careful in monitoring the nutritional status of their children, namely by regularly weighing the child's weight and measuring the child's height to the doctor or to the puskesmas, posyandu, or other health facilities.
If detected and treated early, the impact of malnutrition on children's health and developmental processes can be minimized.
Health problems related to the impact of malnutrition can happen to anyone. Therefore, it is important for everyone, including you, to recognize the various symptoms of malnutrition and fulfill nutritional intake properly by adopting a healthy diet.
If necessary, you can also fulfill your nutritional intake by taking additional nutritional supplements according to the doctor's recommendations.
If you or your child is experiencing symptoms of malnutrition, do not hesitate to immediately consult a nutritionist. This is important so that doctors can provide treatment to improve nutritional status and prevent and overcome the impact of further malnutrition.
