The 17 effects of malnutrition on the human body.

The different effects that malnutrition has on our organs and psychological processes.

Feeding and nourishment is, together with hydration and breathing, one of the most basic needs not only of human beings but of all living beings. In the case of our species, we need to eat to acquire enough nutrients for our organism to function and survive.

However, there is a high percentage of the world's population that does not have access to enough food to subsist or is not able to process and use the nutrients in it. These people are or will be malnourished, something that generates a series of consequences of varying severity. In this article we are going to talk about the effects of malnutritionas well as its concept.

Undernutrition: basic definition

As stated by the World Health Organization, malnutrition is defined as the existence of a deficiency or lack of food or of the amount of calories, nutrients, vitamins and minerals. or lack of food or of the amount of calories, nutrients, vitamins and minerals necessary for the preservation of a correct state of health. necessary for the preservation of a correct state of health, this state being in accordance with what is to be expected based on the age of the individual.

In other words, we are facing the lack of sufficient nutrients in the body to maintain optimal levels of functioning. The absence of sufficient nutrients will generate the consumption of internal energy reserves (and if necessary, the organism will consume its own tissues to survive), resulting in a progressive weakening of the organism that can even lead to the death of the subject.

Types according to causes

The concept of malnutrition can be easily understood, but it is necessary to take into account that in reality we can find different types of malnutrition, although the effects on the organism are similar. the effects on the organism are similar.. One of the existing classifications takes into account where the absence of nutrients comes from, generating two main categories.

In the first of them, the so-called primary malnutrition, the person presents a deficit of nutrients derived from insufficient food or starvation. This lack of nourishment can occur in various contexts. The most obvious case can be found with people who do not have access to a sufficient amount of food, such as in countries with famine and high levels of poverty.

Another type of situation in which primary malnutrition appears is in people who, despite living in a context where they have access to sufficient food, do not ingest it, being the case of eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa..

A second type of malnutrition is called secondary malnutrition, in which the subject does have an adequate and sufficient intake but because of some disorder or disease is not able to metabolize nutrients. This implies that these nutrients are not integrated and used by the organism, something that will also generate adverse effects on health.

Effects of malnutrition

Lack of nutrients has considerable effects on the body, which can even lead to death. can even lead to death in people of any age, race or condition if they do not get enough of the essential elements to keep their organs functioning. In most human beings, malnutrition can cause effects such as the following, although the ones we are going to present are not the only ones.

1. Changes in body weight and volume

One of the most readily visible aspects of malnutrition is that there is considerable weight loss. However, if the malnutrition situation is prolonged and affects hormones such as insulin and glucagon, some abdominal obesity may develop. it is possible that some abdominal obesity may appear.The abdominal obesity, derived from the alteration of food metabolism, may appear.

2. Loss of muscle mass

In the absence of sufficient proteins, the body acts in order to protect its survival by extracting energy from the body's own fibers, consuming for example muscle fibers in known as protein catabolism.

3. Hypotonia and decreased energy levels

Another consequence of the lack of nutrients is a decrease in muscle tone, with reduced muscle tension and strength. In addition, there is also a great decrease in physical and mental energy is also observed..

4. Bone fragility

As with muscles, bones are also affected by malnutrition. They become more fragile and brittle, and injuries and breaks are more likely to occur.and injuries and breaks are more likely to occur.

5. Amenorrhea

The menstrual cycle is also affected by malnutrition, and the lack of nutrients can cause irregularities and even the cessation of menstruation.

6. Weakening of the immune system

One of the most affected by the loss of nutrients is the immune system. It generates a weakness in the immune system that makes it difficult to respond to bacteria and viruses, making it much easier for bacteria and viruses toIt is much easier for infections and diseases to appear.

7. Dental irritation and bleeding

The presence of dental problems is also observed, often presenting gum irritation and even bleeding. and even bleeding.

8. Edemas

It is common that the lack of nutrients and the existence of electrolyte imbalances resulting from insufficient nutrition causes the accumulation of liquids in different parts of the bodygenerating swellings in the form of edema.

9. Cardiovascular alterations

The lack of nutrients weakens the heart muscle and Blood vessels, which can lead to arrhythmias, hypotension, heart failure and death.

10. Decreased gastrointestinal function

Not having enough nutrients for the body to function properly also affects the digestive tract. affects the gastrointestinal tractThe lack of sufficient nutrients for the body to function properly also affects the gastrointestinal tract, making it unable to function properly. In fact, a person with prolonged malnutrition cannot start eating normal amounts all at once, having to adapt gradually so that the intestinal motility recovers its usual course.

11. Impaired cognitive capacity

Malnutrition also affects the nervous system to a great extent. At the cognitive level, it is common that alterations are generated in the cognitive capacity, reducing the emission of elaborated answers, the ability to plan and make decisionsjudgment or the ability to concentrate or inhibit behavior.

12. Emotional lability, irritability and mental problems

Lack of nutrients affects the capacity for behavioral inhibition and facilitates attack/flight responses. Emotions surface more easily than usual.. Problems of irritability, anxiety or depression are much more frequent.

13. It affects the respiratory capacity

It can generate problems at the level of our body's ability to oxygenate and expel carbon dioxide.

14. It slows down the metabolism

When the body senses that it does not have enough nutrients to function properly, proceeds to try to reduce metabolism in order to save energy..

15. Pancreatic and hepatic dysfunctions

The liver and pancreas are also affected by malnutrition, not being able to purify the blood or generate insulin and glucagon and altering the functioning of the digestive system.

16. Renal problems

The ability of the kidneys to act as a filter for the blood and to eliminate wastes and harmful elements and to eliminate waste and harmful elements is also affected. The lack of nutrients hinders its function, not filtering these elements correctly.

17. Anemia

One of the consequences of the deficit of nutrients is the appearance of anemia, that is to say of the decrease in the production of red blood cells derived from the lack of basic components such as iron or vitamins. It generates dizziness, fainting, headaches, arrhythmias, pallor, numbness and lack of blood supply in some parts of the body.

Malnutrition in childhood

We have so far discussed different effects of malnutrition on humans in general. However, it has been shown that the evolutionary moment in which malnutrition appears is of great importance..

Specifically, the earlier in evolutionary development, the greater the effect it will have on the subject. Difficulties due to lack of nutrients during development will cause it to be altered and will not be reached at a typical pace or in a typical way, asking you to remain for life some sequelae.

Infantile malnutrition is one of the most serious, since it generates a slowing down in the physical and intellectual development. For example, the growth in weight and height is usually stopped and it is possible that psychomotor retardation and speech problems may appear, as well as attentional difficulties. Ventral swelling and capillary problems also appear. Brain growth is slowed and atrophy, decreased number of glial cells and myelination problems may occur.

Bibliographical references:

• Martorell, R. (2007). Effects of malnutrition on health and human development and effective strategies for its prevention. Public Health of Mexico, 49: 151.
• Smith, L and Haddad, L. (1999). Explaining Child Malnutrition in Developing Countries: ACross-Country Analysis. FCND discussion paper 1999 (60) IFPRI, Washington, D.C.
• Wisbaum, W. (2011). Childhood undernutrition. Causes, consequences, and strategies for prevention and treatment. UNICEF.