When we say "malnutrition," we tend to associate it with hunger and a slim body. It is more than that. Malnutrition means an imbalance of essential nutrients in the body or impaired nutrient utilisation. It can also indicate overeating the wrong food! Thus, there are different types of malnutrition, depending on the reason.
What are the types of malnutrition?
Here is a detail of the different types of malnutrition, what causes them, and how they impact the body.
Undernutrition
Undernutrition occurs when a diet lacks nutrients required for bodily functions, growth, and development. This often leads to micronutrient deficiencies. Common effects include being underweight, stunted growth, and wasting. Undernourished people often suffer from deficiencies in essential vitamins and minerals, which can cause specific health issues.
Undernutrition can be divided into two types. They are:
- Macronutrient undernutrition: A condition of inadequate amounts of essential macronutrients, such as carbohydrates, proteins, or fats. This often results from food insecurity, dietary restriction, or eating disorders. The condition may result in energy deficiency, weight loss, muscle wasting, and compromised immunity.
- Micronutrient undernutrition: Deficiency in essential vitamins and minerals, often due to an unbalanced diet that lacks diversity or overly excessive consumption of a single food group. This can result in anaemia, stunted growth and development, poor immunity, and cognitive deficits.
Overnutrition
It is defined as overeating nutrients, leading to obesity. This condition occurs especially when people consume too much high-calorie, low-nutrient food or high amounts of vitamins while avoiding working out. Overweight and undernourished people may have an excess body weight despite lacking vital vitamins and minerals. This raises the risk of serious health problems such as heart disease, stroke, digestive disorders, type 2 diabetes, osteoarthritis, etc.
Overnutrition can be further divided into two types. They are:
- Macronutrient overnutrition: Excessive energy consumption from macronutrients (fats, proteins, carbohydrates) causes an imbalance in the body. Commonly, a high-calorie diet and lack of exercise contribute to obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and some cancers.
- Micronutrient overnutrition: Excess consumption of vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin A, iron, and calcium, often because of overconsumption of supplements or fortified foods. This can result in complications such as nausea, organ damage, and metabolic diseases.
Conclusion:
Malnutrition can take many forms, from insufficient essential nutrients to consuming too many unhealthy foods. Undernutrition and overnutrition can lead to severe health problems. Healthcare costs to manage risks related to malnutrition can be expensive. Therefore, having health insurance can be an effective way to handle any such medical expenditures.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult your general physician or another certified medical professional for any questions regarding a medical condition. Relying on any information provided in this blog is solely at your own risk, and ICICI Lombard is not responsible for any effects or consequences resulting from the use of the information shared.