Malnutrition

MALNUTRITION

WHO defines Malnutrition as “the cellular imbalance between the supply of nutri-ents and energy and the body’s demand for them to ensure growth, maintenance and specific functions”

The global Nutrition report 2017 states that 38 percent of Indian chil-dren are stunted and 21 percent are severely wasted highlighting that proper nutrition is the solution to end poverty and fight disease condi-tions in our country

Malnutrition is the condition that develops when the body does not get the right amount of the vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients it needs to maintain healthy tissues and organ function.

·        Protein Energy Malnutrition

It is a group of body depletion disor-ders which includes kwashiorkor, mar-asmus and the intermediate stages.

i. Marasmus: Marasmus is derived from the Greek Word “Marasmos” which means wasting. Marasmus involves inadequate intake of calories and protein. It represents simple star vation. The body adapts to the stress of deficit in protein and calories.

ii. Kwashiorkor: Kwashiorkor is a form of severe protein–energy mal-nutrition with sufficient calorie intake, but with insufficient protein

consumption, and this feature dis-tinguishes it from marasmus.

Steps to alleviate malnutrition

Health Promotion:

·        Measures direct to pregnant and lactat-ing women (education, supplement)

·        Promotion of breastfeeding

·        Development of low cost weaning food

·        Educating mothers to plan and space child birth

·        Ensuring food security in the home

·        Ensuring clean environment

Specific protection:

·        Increase intake of protein and energy rich food (e.g. milk, egg, fresh fruits)

·        Educating people towards regular immunization

·        Promote intake of fortified foods.

Early diagnosis and treatment:

·        Baseline information

·        Early detection of clinical signs of protein energy malnutrition

·        Regular assessment of body mass index

·        Biochemical and laboratory inves-tigations.

Rehabilitation:

·        Hospital treatment

·        Nutritional rehabilitation services (NRC i.e. Nutritional Rehabilitation Centers)

·        Follow up care