MALNUTRITION

Malnutrition in all its forms increases the risk of
disease (morbidity) and early death (mortality).

A balanced diet should comprise around 60%
carbohydrate, 20% protein and 20% fat.
Sufficient roughage, vitamins and minerals
should also be included.

Marasmus It is a severe form of
malnutrition caused by inadequate
intake of both protein and calories,
resulting in wasting and growth
retardation. Children who suffer
from marasmus display decreased
activity, lethargy, behavioural
changes, slowed growth, and
weight loss. The subsequent
effects on the body are wasting
and a loss of subcutaneous fat and
muscle, resulting in growth
retardation. The majority of
children who suffer from
marasmus never return to age-
appropriate growth standards.

Underlying Causes of Malnutrition.
Poverty - Poverty is far from being eradicated. During the last two decades, the
number of people affected by extreme poverty in sub-Saharan Africa has nearly
doubled, from 164 million in 1982 to some 313 million as of 2002. Poverty alone
does not lead to malnutrition, but it seriously affects the availability of adequate
amounts of nutritious food for the most vulnerable populations. Over 90 % of
malnourished people live in developing countries
Lack of access to food - Most major food and nutrition crises do not occur because
of a lack of food, but rather because people are too poor to obtain enough food.
Non-availability of food on markets, difficult access to markets due to lack of means
of transportation and insufficient financial resources are all factors contributing to
the food insecurity of the most vulnerable populations. People are increasingly
dependent on international markets for all or part of their food supplies, particularly
between harvest periods. Many people are increasingly vulnerable due to
fluctuations in the prices, as was recently illustrated during the global food crisis

Disease - Certain illnesses and infections, such as tuberculosis, measles and
diarrhoea, amongst others, are directly linked to acute malnutrition. A combination
of disease and malnutrition weakens the metabolism, forming a vicious circle of
infection and undernourishment, leading to vulnerability to illness. HIV and AIDS has
become a leading cause of acute malnutrition in developing countries. A child
infected with HIV is more vulnerable to acute malnutrition than a healthy child. Anti-
retroviral drugs are more effective when combined with adequate, regular food
intake. So ensuring a healthy diet is an important aspect of HIV control and
treatment.
Lack of safe drinking water - Water is synonymous with life. Lack of potable water,
poor sanitation and dangerous hygiene practices increase vulnerability to infectious
and water-borne diseases, which are direct causes of acute malnutrition.
Conflicts – They have a direct impact on food security, drastically compromising
access to food. Often forced to flee as violence escalates, people uprooted by
conflict lose access to their farms and businesses, or other means of local food
production and markets. Abandoned fields and farms no longer provide food to
broader distribution circuits. As a result, food supplies may be cut off to distributors,
and the many populations dependent on them may be unable to obtain sufficient
food.

Climate change - In the space of 30 years, the number of natural disasters —
droughts, cyclones, floods, etc. — linked to climate change has increased
substantially. The effects of climate change are often dramatic, devastating areas
which are already vulnerable. Infrastructure is damaged or destroyed; diseases
spread quickly; people can no longer grow crops or raise livestock. According to UN
studies in over 40 developing countries, the decline in agricultural production
caused either directly or indirectly by climate change could dramatically increase
the number of people suffering from hunger in the coming years.
Natural disasters such as drought, earthquakes and floods.
Poor levels of Education for Women. Many women do not know what a balanced
diet is. Therefore, they do not know the best way to feed their children. And how
to stop their children from catching water borne or other diseases.

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