Effects Of Malnutrition Essay

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Malnutrition

India being an agrarian nation, has enough food to feed its population. In spite of the availability of food in the country, people face the problem of hunger and many are undernourished. Malnutrition is caused due to the deficiency of some essential nutrients like vitamins and minerals in a person’s body. It further leads to various problems. People become inefficient due to poor health and are not able to come out of poverty. Many children die at a very tender age due to hunger or intake of unbalanced diet. More than 165 million children under 5 years of age suffer from chronic malnutrition.

Protein Energy Malnutrition (PEM):

It is basically the “food gap” between the intake of food and actual requirement by our body. The …show more content…

Marasmus is characterized by energy deficiency, emaciation, stunned growth and wasting of muscles and tissues. It is generally caused due to weaning from breastfed milk making the child absolutely emaciate with the appearance of rib bones.

 Kwashiorkor:

The term kwashiorkor literally means “the sickness of weaning”. It is caused when breastfeeding is discontinued at an early age. Kwashiorkor is also a result of inadequacy of protein in the body. It causes fluid retention, dry and peeling skin and hair discoloration. This disease can have a long term impact on a child’s physical and mental development. In severe cases, it may even lead to death.

 Marasmus-Kwashiorkor:

This has the features of both Marasmus and Kwashiorkor simultaneously. The ones of marasmus includes wasting of muscles of the upper arms, shoulders and chest making the ribs visible. It is followed by pale skin and hair, along with severe oedema of feet, legs and hands, which are signs of Kwashiorkor.

 Nutrition Dwafting:

It is caused due to the deficiency of food-energy and proteins which is marked by growth retardation. Such children look superficially normal as the weight and height reduce in the same proportion.

 Underweight …show more content…

They treat such issues to be completely irrelevant to them.

Ways to reduce malnutrition:

Below mentioned are some techniques which may prove to be helpful with malnutrition. If not greatly, there will definitely make some difference.

 Promotion of breast feeding:

Breast feeding promotion refers to the fostering of health among newly born children, infants and women through the mode of breast feeding. Certain policies have been implemented for this purpose. WHO recommends that an infant should be breastfed for first six months in order to develop proper health.

 Development of low cost weaning:

For the families who are not in a state to spend a large amount on their child’s weaning process, they should keep in mind that when the child is introduced to food, it should be given nutrients rich food which is available at a low cost. Things like soya bean, jowar, porridge etc. can be of utmost benefit.

 Nutrition education:

Each one should be made aware of the importance of taking balanced diet. And also the disadvantages that are led by nutrients deficient food intake. Camps or awareness programs can be set up for this purpose.

 Food

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