DISEASE CAUSED

BY MALNUTRITION
 Overview of Malnutrition
What is Malnutrition?
It refers to deficiencies, excesses or imbalances in a person’s intake of energy
and/or nutrients

What causes Malnutrition?

It is caused by a lack of essential nutrients, resulting in the inability of the body
to function as efficiently as normal.
It is often caused by:
■ An inadequate diet
■ Stomach conditions and digestive disorders
■ Alcoholism
Who is most likely to be affected?

■ People with low incomes, or those who are socially isolated

■ The elderly – particularly those who are in hospital, or
institutionalized
■ People with chronic (long-term) disorder – for example, eating
disorders, such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia
■ People who are recovering from a serious illness, or condition
– particularly those with a condition that affects their ability to
eat, such as a stroke
 Which country are most affected?
According to the Global
Hunger Index, which was
adopted by the International
Food Policy Research
Institute, Yemen and Chad
are among the countries
most affected by hunger
and malnutrition, with an
index of 45.9 and 44.2,
respectively
Anemia
Definition
Anemia (also spelled anaemia) is a
decrease in the total amount of red blood
cells (RBCs) or haemoglobin in the
blood, or a lowered ability of the blood
to carry oxygen. It is characterized by
low level of haemoglobin in the blood.
Who will be affected?

■ Certain forms of anemia are passed down through your

genes, and infants may have it from birth.
■ Women are at risk of iron-deficiency anemia because of
blood loss from their periods and higher blood supply
demands during pregnancy.
■ Older adults have a greater risk of anemia because they are
more likely to have kidney disease or other chronic medical
conditions.
Causes
■ The most common cause of anemia is low levels of iron in the body. This type
of anemia is called iron-deficiency anemia
■ Diets lacking in vitamin B12
■ Diets lacking in folic acid, also called folate
■ Inherited blood disorders (like sickle cell anemia or thalassemia).
■ Conditions that cause red blood cells to break down too fast (like hemolytic
anemia).
■ Chronic conditions causing your body to not have enough hormones to create
red blood cells. These include hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, advanced
kidney disease, lupus and other long-term diseases.
■ Blood loss related to other conditions such as ulcers, hemorrhoids or gastritis.
Symptoms
■ Dizziness, lightheadedness, or feeling like you are about to pass out
■ Fast or unusual heartbeat
■ Headache
■ Pain, including in your bones, chest, belly, and joints
■ Problems with growth, for children and teens
■ Shortness of breath
■ Skin that’s pale or yellow
■ Cold hands and feet
■ Tiredness or weakness
Treatment
Treatment will depend on the type of anemia.
■ If you have aplastic anemia, you might need medication, blood transfusions (in which you get blood
from another person), or a bone marrow transplant (in which you get a donor’s stem cells).
■ If you have hemolytic anemia, you might need medication that will hold back your immune system.
You might have to see a doctor who specializes in vascular problems.
■ If it’s caused by blood loss, you might have surgery to find and fix the bleeding. If you have iron-
deficiency anemia, you’ll probably need to take iron supplements and change your diet.
■ Sickle cell anemia treatment includes painkillers, folic acid supplements, intermittent antibiotics or
oxygen therapy. A drug. called hydroxyurea (Droxia, Hydrea, Siklos) is often prescribed to decrease
sickle cell pain crises (complicated mechanism). There is a newly FDA approved medication called
voxelator (Oxbryta) which can help your red blood cells keep their proper shape.
■ If you have a vitamin B12 or folate deficiency, you will be prescribed supplements..
■ Thalassemia doesn’t usually need treatment, but if your case is severe, you might have blood
transfusions, a bone marrow transplant, or surgery.
Prevention
1. Eat plenty of iron-rich foods, such as tofu,
green and leafy vegetables, lean red meat,
lentils, beans and iron-fortified cereals
and breads.
2. Eat and drink vitamin C-rich foods and
drinks.
3. Avoid drinking tea or coffee with your
meals, as they can affect iron absorption.
4. Get enough vitamin B12 and folic acid in
your diet
Statistic
Globally, anaemia affects 1.62 billion people, which corresponds
to 24.8% of the population. The highest prevalence is in
preschool-age children and the lowest prevalence is in men.
However, the population group with the greatest number of
individuals affected is non-pregnant women
Malaysia
Which country are most affected?
Anemia is most prevalent in developing countries contributing to
about one million deaths each year worldwide. It affects
approximately 25% of the population or 1.6 billion people
worldwide. Three quarters of these deaths occur in Africa and
South-East Asia. Bangladesh has been reported as one of the most
anemia prone countries in South Asia. Studies have found that
anemia is 3 times more common in African Americans than in
Whites.