a) A balanced diet is a healthy eating plan that includes all the essential nutrients in the right proportions for our body to function properly.
b) It consists of a variety of foods such as protein-rich pulses, sprouted seeds, different types of grains for carbohydrates and fats, and a good amount of fruits and vegetables that provide important vitamins and minerals.
Malnutrition refers to a condition where an individual's overall nutritional intake is insufficient, leading to health problems. There are different types of malnutrition, including the following:
a) Undernutrition occurs when you don't eat enough of the right foods to meet your body's needs. It can be due to not having access to enough food, not eating a diverse diet, or having health issues.
b) Protein-energy malnutrition is a type of undernutrition that occurs when there is a lack of both protein and calories in the diet. It includes two main conditions:
i) Kwashiorkor: It is characterized by inadequate protein intake despite sufficient or slightly reduced calorie intake.
Symptoms of Kwashiorkor may include swelling, skin changes and stunted growth.
Aspect | Malnutrition | Undernutrition |
---|---|---|
Definition | Refers to a condition where the body lacks the right amount of nutrients for proper growth and function. | Specifically refers to a lack of essential nutrients, leading to a deficiency in the body. |
Meaning | Encompasses both undernutrition (deficiency) and overnutrition (excess). | Occurs when the intake of necessary nutrients is insufficient for the body's needs. |
Types | Includes undernutrition and overnutrition. | Focuses on the deficiency of essential nutrients. |
Effects | Can lead to a variety of health issues, including deficiencies and excesses. | Results in stunted growth, weight loss, weakened immune system, and overall poor health. |
Causes | Poor dietary choices, lack of access to nutritious food, or imbalances in nutrient intake. | Inadequate food supply, poverty, and limited access to a variety of nutritious foods. |
ii) Marasmus: It results from severe deficiency of both protein and calories.
Symptoms of Marasmus are extreme weight loss, muscle wasting, and overall body weakness.
a) Overnutrition occurs when there is excessive intake of calories, often accompanied by imbalances in nutrient composition.
b) It can lead to overweight and obesity, which increases the risk of various health issues, including:
a) Deficiency means not getting enough of a specific nutrient that your body needs to stay healthy and work properly.
b) It happens when you don't get sufficient amounts of certain nutrients like vitamins, minerals, proteins, carbohydrates, or fats.
c) Examples include iron deficiency, vitamin D deficiency, or iodine deficiency.
d) Deficiencies can cause specific health problems and symptoms related to the lacking nutrient.
Vitamins |
Deficiency Disease |
Causes of Deficiency |
Symptoms |
Vitamin A |
Colour blindness, night blindness |
Inadequate intake of foods rich in vitamin A, such as liver, eggs, dairy products, and orange/yellow fruits and vegetables |
Dry and rough skin, poor vision in low light, increased susceptibility to infections |
Vitamin B1 (thiamine) |
Beriberi |
Inadequate intake of foods containing thiamine, such as whole grains, legumes, pork, nuts |
Fatigue, weakness, muscle pain, poor coordination |
Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) |
Skin disorders, Cheilosis - lip cracking |
Inadequate intake of foods rich in riboflavin, such as milk, dairy products, eggs, lean meats |
Sore throat, swollen and cracked lips, sensitivity to light, fatigue, tongue inflammation |
Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) |
Anaemia |
Inadequate intake of animal-derived foods (meat, fish, dairy products, eggs) |
Fatigue, weakness, pale skin, shortness of breath, memory loss, mood changes |
Vitamin C |
Scurvy - gum disease |
Inadequate intake of fruits and vegetables, especially citrus fruits |
Fatigue, swollen and bleeding gums, slow wound healing |
Vitamin D |
Rickets and Osteomalacia |
Inadequate sun exposure, limited dietary sources |
Delayed or impaired growth, bone deformities |
Vitamin E |
Nerve damage, muscle weakness |
Genetic defects, malabsorption disorders, extremely |
Muscle weakness, difficulty in coordination, vision problems |
Vitamin K |
Excessive bleeding from wounds |
Inadequate intake of leafy green vegetables, fats, and oils |
Easy bruising, excessive bleeding from wounds or cuts |
Minerals |
Deficiency Diseases |
Symptoms |
Calcium |
Osteoporosis, Rickets (in children) |
Weak bones, low bone density, stunted growth |
Iron |
Iron-deficiency anaemia |
Weakness, fatigue, shortness of breath |
Potassium |
Hypokalemia (low potassium levels) |
Muscle weakness, fatigue, irregular heartbeat |
Magnesium |
Hypomagnesemia |
Muscle cramps, irritability, weakness |
Sodium |
Hyponatremia (low sodium levels) |
Nausea, irritability, dehydration |
Phosphorus |
Hypophosphatemia |
Loss of appetite, bone fragility, muscle weakness |
Zinc |
Zinc deficiency |
Delayed growth, hair loss, weakened immune system |
Iodine |
Iodine deficiency disorders |
Goiter (enlarged thyroid gland), mental impairment |
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