What Are The Types Of Malnutrition?

Acute Malnutrition

Acute malnutrition refers to malnutrition that causes sudden fluid retention or weight loss. There are about fifty-five million children throughout the world suffering from acute malnutrition at any given moment. Of those, nineteen million have a severe form of the condition. Acute malnutrition can be caused by a decrease in the amount of food consumed. It can also occur when an illness causes an individual to be unable to absorb nutrients or calories, leading to sudden and drastic weight loss. Adults and children can both suffer from acute malnutrition. Eating disorders like anorexia, which most commonly presents in adolescents and young adults, may lead individuals to develop acute malnutrition. Acute malnutrition can be treated by creating community resources to ensure everyone is fed. When malnutrition is caused by a mental illness like an eating disorder, mental health resources are an essential component of recovery. Similarly, malnutrition due to an underlying medical condition will be best treated by getting adequate physical health treatment.

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Chronic Malnutrition

Chronic malnutrition can be paired with acute malnutrition. When talking about the impact of malnutrition on communities and individuals, acute and chronic are terms used to talk about different issues. Acute malnutrition is used to discuss the sudden effects of a loss of nutrition. Chronic malnutrition, on the other hand, occurs when a person is malnourished on a long-term basis of goes through a repeating pattern of becoming malnourished. When a child is chronically malnourished, the lack of calories and nutrients can lead to permanent stunting in growth. Their muscles, skeletal structure, and varying other body systems don't have a chance to develop the way they're meant to. Globally, chronic malnutrition is one of the most prevalent health crises. Many things can lead to chronic malnutrition. It can occur if a patient has an untreated condition that causes malabsorption of nutrients. Chronic malnutrition can also occur on a systemic level in communities that don't have safeguards to prevent it. This includes places without resources for hungry individuals, including places in the United States. Poverty is also a factor.

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