Nutrient Deficiency and Malnutrition Class 6

Table of Content

Balanced Diet

Balanced Diet

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 and Its Different Types

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:

1. Undernutrition

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 characterised by inadequate protein intake despite sufficient or slightly reduced calorie intake.

Symptoms of Kwashiorkor may include swelling, skin changes and stunted growth.

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Differences between Malnutrition and Undernutrition

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.

2. Overnutrition

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:

Type 2 diabetes
Cardiovascular diseases (e.g., heart disease, hypertension)
Metabolic syndrome
Certain types of cancer
Joint problems and musculoskeletal disorders

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3. Deficiency

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.

Vitamin Deficiency

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

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Mineral Deficiency

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

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is nutrient deficiency, and how does it affect our health?

When the body is lacking in vital vitamins and minerals, nutrient deficiency occurs. It can cause several health problems that affect good health usually growth, and energy levels.

2. What are common signs of nutrient deficiency, and how can we recognise them?

A: Fatigue, weakness, lack of focus, and particular symptoms associated with nutritional deficiency are among the signs. It's important to identify these indicators to rectify problems quickly.

3. How can a balanced diet help prevent nutrient deficiency?

A combination of vital nutrients is ensured by consuming a range of meals. It is possible to avoid nutritional shortages by eating a balanced diet high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and proteins.

4. What role do vitamins play in preventing nutrient deficiencies?

Vitamins can help avoid vitamin deficits and are necessary for a number of body processes. Every vitamin has a distinct function, and eating a range of foods guarantees that the body gets enough of them.

5. How can we ensure children receive sufficient nutrients for their growth?

A healthy, well-balanced diet is essential for promoting children's growth and development. Including a range of food categories helps in providing for their nutritional requirements.

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