Types of Malnutrition

Malnutrition
Malnutrition is characterized by inadequate or excessive nutrient intake, an

unbalanced intake of vital nutrients, or poor nutrient use. Undernutrition,
overweight, and obesity are part of the double burden of malnutrition, as are
noncommunicable diseases connected to diet. The largest risk groups for
malnutrition include women, newborns, kids, and teenagers. Malnutrition
dangers and risks from it are increased in poverty. Different types of
malnutrition are more likely to harm those who are poor. Malnutrition can feed
a cycle of poverty and illness by raising healthcare expenses, decreasing
productivity, and slowing economic growth.
Four general signs of undernutrition include
• stunting,
• wasting,
• being underweight,
• micronutrient deficiencies
Types of Malnutrition
A series of disorders known as malnutrition affects both children and adults
and is typically brought on by inadequate nutrient intake, absorption, or use.
Malnutrition mostly comes in two forms:
• Protein-energy malnutrition: caused by a lack of any one or more

nutrients
• Micronutrient deficiency diseases: caused by a lack of certain
micronutrients
There are three types of protein-energy malnutrition in children, namely:
Type Appearance Cost

Stunting or long-term inadequate nutrition resulting in lack of
Chronic malnutrition
shortness linear growth
Wasting or acute malnutrition resulting in fast weight loss or
Acute malnutrition
thinness abnormal weight increase
Acute and chronic It is a composite measure that may result from
Underweight,
malnutrition stunting, wasting or both.
Malnutrition comes in many different ways, including stunting and wasting.

The causes of stunting, a chronic condition, are not well known.
• Stunting is relatively frequent among communities in less developed

nations and does not pose an immediate threat to life. Not that it is
insignificant, but it is less vital than waste in times of humanitarian
need.
• A severe lack of food causes wasting, can be reversed with refeeding,
and has a high death rate.
• Waste is the most urgent type of malnutrition in humanitarian
circumstances because of these factors.
Causes of Malnutrition
There are several causes of malnutrition. These probable causes are
described in the sections below:
• Low food intake: Some persons experience malnutrition due to a lack

of food or trouble swallowing or absorbing nutrients.
• Mental health conditions: Undernutrition or malnutrition can impact
people with dementias, schizophrenia, depression\s or anorexia
nervosa.
• Social and mobility issues: These issues, such as being unable to
leave the house or go to a store to buy food or finding it physically
difficult to prepare meals, can influence a person's eating patterns and
perhaps cause malnutrition.
• Digestive problems and stomach ailments: Malnutrition may still
occur even with a healthy diet if the body cannot absorb nutrients
effectively.
• Alcohol use disorder: Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol might
cause gastritis or permanent pancreatic damage.
Malnutrition in India
Economic disparity is one of the main factors contributing to malnutrition in
India. Their diet frequently lacks quality and quantity due to the low economic
condition of various population segments. Babies born to malnourished
women are less likely to be healthy. Long-term harm is caused by nutritional
deficits to both individuals and society.
According to World Bank statistics, India is one of the nations with the
greatest percentage of malnourished children worldwide.
• India is pitifully low 107th out of 121 countries in the Global Hunger
Index 2022 study.
• According to research by the Indian Council of Medical Research
(ICMR), malnutrition in children was the main cause of under-five-year-
old deaths in India.
• According to a UNICEF report, 38% of Indian children under five have
stunted growth.
• Children from Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribe, and Other Backward
Classes are stunted in about 40% of cases.
• The Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) estimates that 14.5% of
Indians are undernourished.
Malnutrition in India: Schemes Launched by the Indian

Government
Due to India's high malnutrition rate, the Indian government has introduced
several programs to combat the issue. The Government of India's programs to
combat malnutrition are provided below.
National Nutrition Policy
• Under the direction of the Ministry of Women and Child Development,

the National Nutrition Policy (NNP) was enacted in 1993.
• The NNP's multi-sectoral approach to promoting optimal nutrition for
everyone and eliminating malnutrition.
Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme
• The programme offers focused interventions for women and children

under the age of six, among other vulnerable groups.
• The six services it offers are supplemental nutrition, pre-school non-
formal education, nutrition & health education, immunisation, health
check-ups, and referral services.
• It is being administered by the Ministry of Women and Child
Development.
Mid Day Meal Scheme
• It began as a centrally sponsored scheme in 1995.

• The Department of School Education and Literacy is in charge of the
Mid Day Meal Program within the Education Ministry.
• Every kid who enrols and attends the school between the ages of six
and fourteen and is enrolled in classes I through VIII is entitled to a free
hot lunch every day, excluding school holidays.
National Health Mission (NHM)
• The National Rural Health Mission and the National Urban Health
Mission were merged into the National Health Mission (NHM), which
was introduced by the Indian government in 2013.
• The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare is carrying it out.
• Strengthening the health systems for reproductive, maternal, neonatal,
child, and adolescent health (RMNCH+A), as well as communicable and
non-communicable diseases, is one of the primary programme
components.
Indira Gandhi Matritva Sahyog Yojna (IGMSY)
• By offering economic incentives for better health and nutrition to

expectant and nursing moms, the programme seeks to contribute to a
more enabling environment.
• The Ministry of Women and Child Development is carrying it out.
National Nutrition Mission
• This mission, also known as POSHAN Abhiyaan, aims to decrease

anaemia by 3%, low birth weight by 2%, and undernutrition by 2%.
• By 2022, this initiative hopes to eradicate malnutrition in India. The goal
is to bring the population's percentage of stunted children down to 25%
by 2022.
• Children, teenagers, and breastfeeding moms are the mission's target
demographics.

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Malnutrition

Malnutrition is characterized by inadequate or excessive nutrient intake, an

Four general signs of undernutrition include

• Protein-energy malnutrition: caused by a lack of any one or more

There are three types of protein-energy malnutrition in children, namely:

Type Appearance Cost

Malnutrition comes in many different ways, including stunting and wasting.

• Stunting is relatively frequent among communities in less developed

• Low food intake: Some persons experience malnutrition due to a lack

Malnutrition in India: Schemes Launched by the Indian

National Nutrition Policy

• Under the direction of the Ministry of Women and Child Development,

Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme

• The programme offers focused interventions for women and children

• It began as a centrally sponsored scheme in 1995.

National Health Mission (NHM)

Indira Gandhi Matritva Sahyog Yojna (IGMSY)

• By offering economic incentives for better health and nutrition to

National Nutrition Mission

• This mission, also known as POSHAN Abhiyaan, aims to decrease

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