Malnutrition and Related

Diseases
Members: Sahira Othman
Nur Hidayah
Aishah Warda

Definition
A medical condition caused by an
improper or insufficient diet.
Occurs when nutrients are taken
insufficiently or excessively.

 Defined in three degrees :

first, second and third degree
based on weight below
Gomez
a specified percentage of
median weight for age.
Concluded that the risk of death
increases as the degree of
malnutrition increases.

 Combines weight-for-height
with height-for-age to show
the stunting that results
from chronic malnutrition.
Waterlow
The advantage of Waterlow classification
over the Gomez classification :
weight for height can be examined even if
ages are unknown.

Effects of Malnutrition
Deficiency of protein

kwashiorkor

marasmus

In both cases, both mental and physical

development of the child is severely
impaired.

Kwashiorkor
Definition : severe malnutrition affecting
young children especially of impoverished
regions that is characterized by failure
to grow and develop.

Causes
Deficiency in dietary protein.
The extreme lack of protein causes an
osmotic imbalance in the gastrointestinal system or digestive system
causing swelling of the gut diagnosed
as retention of water.

Signs and Symptoms

swelling of the abdomen

fatigue
diarrhea
loss of muscle mass
failure to grow or gain weight
edema (swelling)

Marasmus
Definition : A severe form of
malnutrition that consists of the
chronic wasting away of fat, muscle,
and other tissues in the body.

Causes
Caused by inadequate amounts of both
protein and calories consumed, resulting
in an energy deficit in the body.

Signs and Symptoms

Symptoms may include :
drastic loss of adipose tissue
extensive tissue and muscle wasting
swelling
dry skin
loose skin folds

Difference between kwashiorkor &

marasmus :
Kwashiorkor : Sufficient calorie intake,
but insufficient protein only.
Marasmus :Inadequate energy intake in
all forms, including protein.

Protuber
ant belly
Promine
nt
bones
Decrease
in
subcutane
ous fat

Itchy
rash

Poor
wound
healing

Xero
sis

Kwashior
kor

Loose
skin

Marasmu
s

Deficiency of calcium, phosphorus

& vitamin D

Osteoperosis
Rickets

Osteoperosis
Definiton : A disease in which bones
become fragile and more likely to
fracture.
Usually the bone loses density, which
indicates the amount of calcium and
minerals in the
bone are low.

Causes
Osteoporosis occurs when the creation
of the new bone does not keep up with
the removal of old bone.
The deficiency of calcium, phorphorus
and vitamin D in diet does not promote
the growth and renewal of bones.

Signs and Symptoms

It is likely there will be no warning signs
or symptoms until a minor fall or
sudden impact causes a bone fracture
A visible sign of osteoporosis is
constantly bending forward that
develops in older people.

Rickets
Definition : A disorder caused by a lack
of vitamin D, calcium, or phosphate. It
leads to softening and weakening of the
bones.

Causes
A form of vitamin D deficiency.Vitamin
D is required for proper calcium
absorption from the gut.
Without the help of vitamin D to absorb
calcium, conditions such as rickets may
occur.

Signs and Symptoms

The symptoms may include :
Bone tenderness
Increased tendency for fractures
Skeletal deformity
Bowed legs for toddlers

Deficiency of Iron
Iron is a mineral needed by our bodies
to carry out many important processes
such as carrying oxygen from our lungs
throughout the body.
Having too little hemoglobin is called
anemia.

Anemia
Anemia is a decrease in number of red
blood cells (RBCs) or less than the
normal quantity of hemoglobin in the
blood.
Normal

Anemic

Causes
Iron-deficiency anemia occurs because
of a lack of the mineral iron in the body.
Bone marrow in the center of the bone
needs iron to make hemoglobin.
Without adequate iron, the body cannot
produce enough hemoglobin for red
blood cells and results in anemia.

Signs and Symptoms

Commonly , people with anemia may
experience the feeling of weakness
fatigue and sometimes poor concentration.
Other symptoms may include :
i. Pale skin
ii. Jaundice
iii. Leg ulcer

Excessive Intake of
Nutrients
Carbohydrates

Minerals

Obesity
Hypertension

Vitamins

Proteins

Hypertension

Kidney
Damage

Gout

Excessive intake of
carbohydrates
Obesity
Definition : a condition in which excess
body fat has accumulated to the extent
that it may harm the health.
Leads to reduced life
expectancy or increased
health problems.

Causes
The primary cause for obesity is said to
be the excessive intake of
carbohydrates and fats
in daily diet.

Signs and Symptoms

Obesity is when an individuals body
mass index (BMI) is 30 or higher .
Obese people also have higher levels of
cholesterol in their blood.

Effects of obesity and overweight

Fat build up and

cardiovascular diseases

Excessive intake of
minerals
Hypertension

Blood pressure measures how strongly blood

presses against the walls of arteries as it is
pumped around the body by the heart.
When this pressure is too high, this causes
high blood pressure or hypertension.

Causes
Taking too much sodium in processed
food may cause hypertension.This
condition occurs because salt increases
the volume of blood in the body,
therefore increasing the blood
pressure.

Signs and Symptoms

Effects of high blood

pressure

Excessive intake of
vitamins
An excessive intake of water-saluble
vitamins is not harmful to the body, as
they are excreted in the urine.
However, excess fat-soluble vitamins
are not excreted from the body but are
deposited in the body fat over time.

Causes
Excessive intake of vitamins may be
caused by individuals who are not aware
of the danger of taking vitamins
excessively. Result is, they will consume
vitamin supplements excessively without
consulting a doctor.

Effects
Vitamin
A
B6
C
E
K

Effects
Hair loss, vomiting,
bone ache.
Numb feet and poor
coordination.
Gastrointestinal upset
Kidney damage
Liver damage and
anaemia

Excessive intake of
minerals
Gout
Definition : sudden, severe attacks of
pain, redness and tenderness in joints,
often the joint at the base of the big
toe.
Uric acid forms crystals in the soft
tissues of the joints.

Build up of uric acid crystals

Uric acid crystals detected in urine

Kidney Damage
Uric acid can also crystalise and form
stones in the kidney. This condition may
cause kidney failure.