Nutritional Problems

Introduction:-

Nutrition is about eating a regular, balanced diet. Good nutrition helps fuel your body. The foods you eat
supply the nutrients your body needs to maintain your brain, muscle, bone, nerves, skin, blood circulation,
and immune system. Proper nutrition also helps protect you from illness and disease, such as heart
disease, diabetes, cancer, and osteoporosis.

There are two major classes of nutrients in food: macronutrients and micronutrients. Macronutrients are
carbohydrates, protein, and fat. They supply energy (in the form of calories) and serve as the building
blocks for muscles and tissues.

In comparison, micronutrients are individual vitamins and minerals. They are divided into four

categories: water-soluble vitamins, fat-soluble vitamins, micro minerals, and trace minerals. According to

WHO,

“Nutrition is the intake of food, considered in relation to the body’s dietary needs. Good nutrition – an

adequate, well-balanced diet combined with regular physical activity – is a cornerstone of good health.

Poor nutrition can lead to reduced immunity, increased susceptibility to disease, impaired physical and

mental development, and reduced productivity.”[2]

Nutritional deficiencies are widely prevalent in India in the rural areas, particularly among the poor
families. You might have come across in your day-to-day life or read in popular publications about
nutritional disorders occurring due to either deficiency of macronutrients i.e. energy and proteins or
micronutrients like vitamin A and B complex. Human beings require balanced diet to live, thrive and
survive to carry out various activities.. Any imbalance or inadequacy in foods and nutrients could cause
ill health, ' lead to nutritional disorders and even cause death.
Definition

A nutritional deficiency occurs when the body doesn't absorb or get from food the necessary amount of a
nutrient.Deficiencies can lead to a variety of health problems. Thesecan include digestion problems, skin
disorders, stunted ordefective bone growth and even dementia.

Nutrient-related diseases and conditions that cause illness in humans. They may include deficiencies or
excesses in the diet, obesity and eating disorders, and chronic diseases such as cardiovascular
disease, hypertension, cancer, and diabetes mellitus.

Relationship between Nutrition and Health

Good nutrition is the key to leading a healthy lifestyle. We can improve our health if we take care of

ourselves. Eating a balanced diet is an important part of good health. We should eat foods that contain six

important nutrients which include whole grains, a source of protein, dairy, fruits, vegetables, and water.
Nutrition plays a role in promoting good health. So we have to be careful about the foods and nutrients
which should be emphasized in our diets, and how they can enhance our health. Diets full of fruits and
veggies, whole grains, nuts, and lean meats have proven health benefits like lowering blood pressure,
improving glucose control in diabetics, weight loss, improving arthritis, and reducing the risk of cancer and
cardiovascular events and so on.

Good and balanced nutrition is very beneficial for us. Good nutrition means a portion of food that can
maintain the required energy balance in our body. If we do not have the energy, we cannot perform well.
For good and optimum health, we should be careful about what we are eating, how we are eating, how
much we are eating, and what time we are eating.

Factor causing nutrition problem in India

• Socio economic factor - Like poverty, low income and socially deprived people etc.

• Infections – Like malaria, diarrhoea etc. which cause nutritional deficiency.

• Feeding habits – Lack of awareness regarding good quality food which leads nutrition problems.

• Inadequate distribution of food – Like gender inequalities cause deficiency decease.

• Rapid succession of pregnancy

• Poor quality of nourishing – Poor sanitation, poor water supply

• Lack of balance diet

• Heavy work and also lack of exercise

• Lack of food is also cause deficiency decease

• Macronutrients Problems in India

• Carbohydrates:

• Major deficiencies are Diabetic ketoacidosis, hyperosmolar coma, hypoglycaemia (energy loss,
fatigue& constipation)

• Fats:

• Heart diseases, Stroke, kidney problem, podiatric obesity, childhood obesity, metabolic syndrome
(dry skin & variation of skin)

• Water:

• Dehydration, kidney failure (dry mouth, shortness of breath, dizziness & confusion)

• Micronutrition Problems

• Folate (Vitamin B6):

• Megaloblastic Anaemia, neural tube & heart disease (mood changes, weakened immune function,
tiredness & low energy)

• Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12):

• Megaloblastic anaemia (Diarrhoea, Nerve problems)

• Thiamine (Vitamin B1):

• Beriberi & Korsakov syndromes (Fatigue, Irritability, muscle weakness, blurry vision, nausea)

• Riboflavin (Vitamin B2):

• Nonspecific fatigue, dermatitis brain, Dysfunction in Iron absorption (anaemia, skin rash, vision
problem)

• Niacin (B3):

• Pellagra (skin problem, swollen mouth, red tongue)

• Vitamin C:

• Scurvy, fatigue, haemorrhages (Rough skin & hair, slowly healing wounds)
 • Vitamin D:

• Rickets, Osteomlacia, Osteoporosis (bone & back pain, depression, bone loss, hair loss)

• Calcium:

• Decreased bone mineralisation (muscle cramps, Tingling fingers)

Types of Nutritional Problems

Major nutritional problems in India are

Protein Energy Malnutrition (PEM),

Nutritional Anaemia

lodine Deficiency Disorder (IDD),

Vitamin-A deficiency

Low birth weight

Endemic fluorosis

Lathyrism
Market Distortion

Cardio Vascular Diseases

Cancer

UNDERNUTRITION

Definition:
It is defined as a pathological state resulting
from an absolute or relative deficiency of one or
more essential nutrients.
It includes:
• PEM
• LBW
• Nutritional anemia
•Lathyrism
• Endemic goiter
• Endemic flurosis
• Xerophthalmia
• Keratomalcia

•a) PEM:
•It refers to a form of malnutrition where there is
inadequate protein and calorie intake.
• It is considered as the primarily nutritional problem
in India.

Causes:
•Childhood morbidity and mortality
•Conditions/diseases
•Kwashiorkor
•Marasmus
•Marasmic-kwashiorkor
•. tributory factors:

•Inadequate intake of food

•Diarrhea
•Respiratory infections
• Measles
Poor envt. Hygiene
• Large family size
• Poor maternal health
• Failure of lactation
• Premature termination of breast feeding
• Delayed supplementary feeding
• Use of over diluted cow's milk
KWASHIORKOR:-

Kwashiorkor is the most common and

widespread nutritional disorder in developing
countries. It is a form of malnutrition caused by
not getting enough protein in the diet.

> MARASMUS:-

Marasmus is a severe form of

malnutrition that consist of the chronic wasting
away of fat, muscle and their tissues in the body.
•10 Differences between Kwashiorkor and Marasmus
• Malnutrition occurs when the body does not get
enough protein and calories.
• This lack of nutrition can range from a shortage of
certain vitamins to complete starvation.

Prevention:
• Oral rehydration therapy helps to prevent
dehydration caused by diarrhea.
• Exclusive breast feeding for 6 months thereafter
supplementary foods may be introduced along with
breast feeds.
• Immunization for infants and children
 • Nutrition supplements
• Early diagnosis and treatment
• Promotion and correction of feeding practise
• Family planning and spacing of birth
b) LBW:
Definition:
A LBW newborn is any newborn with a birth
weight of less than 2.5kg (including 2.499kg)
regardless of gestational age.

• Risk factors:
• Illness/infection
• Short maternal stature & Close birth intervals
• Very young age
• High Parity
• IUGR
Prevention:
• Identification of mothers risk — malnutrition, heavy work
load, infections, disease and high BP
• Increasing food intake of mother, supplementary feeding,
distribution of iron and folic acid tablets
• Avoidance id smoking

• Improved sanitation methods

• Improving health and nutrition of young girls
• Controlling infections — UTI, rubella, syphilis, malaria

e)Vitamin A deficiency
Hypovitaminosis A is a lack of vitamin A in
blood and tissues. It is common in poorer countries
but rarely seen in more developed countries.
Nyctalopia (Night blindness) is one of the first sign of
VAD
 Ililcal features:
Reduced vision in the night or dim light
Dry eyes which could also lead to Xerophthelmia
Corneal inflammation
The child or adult may experience susceptibility
towards respiratory infection and urinary
infections
Growth can be halted in children
Skin might also show signs of vitamin A deficiency.
For example, it may get rough or dry
Prevention:
 • Administering large doses of Vitamin A orally on a
pediatric basis
• Regular and adequate intake of vitamin A
Fortification of certain food with vitamin A — sugar, salt, tea
and skimmed milk
d) Nutritional Anemia:
Definition:
Nutritional anemia is a condition where the
hemoglobin content of blood is lower than normal as
a result of a deficiency or one or more essential
nutrients, regardless of the cause of such deficiency.

Risk factors:
Inadequate diet
Insufficient intake of iron
Iron malabsorption
• Pregnancy
• Excessive menstrual bleeding
• Hook worm infection
• Malaria
• Close birth intervals
• Gl bleed
• Infants and children
 • Pregnant women
• Pre menopausal women
• Prevention:
• Estimation of HB to assess degree of anemia
• Blood transfusion in severe case of anemia (<8g/dl)
• Iron and folic acid supplements
• Food fortification with iron
• Changing dietary habits
• Control of parasites
• Nutritional education and awareness
• E)Iodine Deficiency Disorder (IDD):
IDD leads to a much wider spectrum of
disorder commencing with the intrauterine life and
extending through childhood to adult life with
serious health and social implication.

Disorders:
Goiter
Hypothyroidism
Mental retardation
e) Eating disorders:
Anorexia Nervosa
•
 Bulimia Nervosa

2OVERNUTRITION.

It is defined as a pathological state resulting

from an absolute or relative excess of one or more
essential nutrients.

3 Obesity:
It is an epidemic disease, which consists of body
weight that is in excess of that appropriate for a
person's height and age standardized to account for
differences, leading to an increased risk to health
related problems.

A person with BMI of 30 or more is generally

considered obese. A person with a BMI equal to or
more than 25 is considered overweight.