Lisa Crowe, age 11, of Swannonoa, N.C., for her question:
WHAT CAUSES MALNUTRITION?
Young people have special dietary needs. Because they are growing rapidly, they need foods not only to replace worn out tissue and provide energy but also to build new tissue. Most doctors recommend that the diet include milk and milk products, eggs, lean meat, fish, poultry, lots of fresh fruits and vegetables as well as an ample amount of whole grain cereals.
If a person doesn't have a properly balanced diet, he may fall victim to malnutrition. Malnutrition is actually an unhealthy condition caused by poor intake, absorption or use of nutrients by the body.
Cramps, diarrhea, weakness and loss of weight are among the symptoms of malnutrition. A primary malnutrition results when the body doesn't get enough or the right kind of food. A secondary malnutrition occurs when, because of a disease, the body cannot use nutrients even though they might be provided with a proper diet.
Scientists have found a number of different types of malnutrition which develop when certain nutrients are missing in a diet.
Protein calorie malnutrition happens when the diet is low in both proteins and calories. This condition is called marasmus if the diet is particularly low in calories. It is called kwashiorkor when the diet is especially low in proteins.
A type of malnutrition caused by a low intake of vitamins may lead to vitamin deficiencies. Various diseases result from a lack of vitamins. The continued lack of one vitamin in an otherwise complete diet can result in a deficiency disease, such as rickets, scurvy and pellagra.
Malnutrition may also be due to mineral deficiencies. For example, a lack of iron or copper can cause an abnormal condition of the blood called anemia.
Economic and social conditions as well as natural conditions such as drought and flooding may produce malnutrition. Poverty, disease, war and ignorance concerning a balanced diet can also cause malnutrition.
Older people often fall victim to malnutrition because many are not careful with their daily diets. Because their activities are reduced,,older people will need fewer calories than children and young adults. Nutrient and vitamin intake, however, should be maintained at a high level.