4 Types of Malnutrition, Risk Factors, and Their Impact on the Body

Has been reviewed and approved by dr. Diah Prasmapti Yunianingtias, M.Nutr.Diet, Sp.GK

Malnutrition is a condition when the body does not get enough nutrition or the right balance. This means that malnutrition is not just a lack of the amount of nutrients your body needs, but also when you consume too many nutrients your body needs. This condition can be experienced by all ages, from children to adults.

Malnutrition Type

Malnutrition consists of several types. Here is the explanation:

Macronutrient Undernutrition

A condition when the body lacks macronutrients, such as carbohydrates, protein and fat. In the short term, nutritional deficiencies can cause several conditions such as constipation, nausea, fatigue, weakness and hunger. However, in the long term, nutritional deficiencies can cause health problems, such as decreased immunity, anemia, dry and peeling skin, dry hair that falls out easily, stunting, and so on.

Macronutrient Overnutrition

Different from before, macronutrient overnutrition occurs when the body has excess fat, protein and carbohydrates. This condition is quite worrying, because consuming excessive amounts of these three nutrients can increase the risk of developing hypertension (high blood pressure), headaches, obesity, digestive disorders characterized by difficulty defecating, and kidney damage.

Micronutrient Undernutrition

Condition where the body lacks micronutrients, including minerals and vitamins. When this nutrient is deficient, the body will show several symptoms, for example feeling weak and tired, hair loss, dull skin, canker sores, bleeding gums, getting sick easily, bone and joint pain, difficulty concentrating, and decreased vision.

Micronutrient Overnutrition

When micronutrient undernutrion is a condition of deficiency, then micronutrient overnutrition is excess vitamins and minerals. Consuming too much of these two nutrients can cause hair loss, stomach cramps, diarrhea, nausea, and nerve damage. Besides that, micronutrient undernutrion can also cause several other symptoms, such as more sensitivity, tingling and numbness, difficulty concentrating, and difficulty sleeping.

Risk Factors for Malnutrition

Malnutrition or malnutrition can affect anyone of all ages. This condition is usually triggered by economic shortages, food, and so on. So, groups at risk of experiencing this condition include:

• Elderly (elderly), especially when they are in hospital or undergoing long-term care.

• Children because they need more nutrition to help grow and develop.

• People who are socially isolated, for example due to health, mobility and other problems.

People with eating disorders such as bulimia (an eating disorder that causes the sufferer to have the desire to eat a lot and then vomit again for fear of gaining weight) and anorexia (an eating disorder with an excessive fear of gaining weight).  

Impact of Malnutrition

When the body lacks nutrition, the body will experience several side effects or impacts. The following is a description divided by age group:

Children

• Children's immune systems become weak, making them more susceptible to disease and recovery usually takes longer. Apart from that, children can also suffer from digestive disorders.

• Children's growth and development is delayed compared to their peers. This delay can occur in the child's motor development.

• The child's physical growth is disrupted, characterized by a shorter body posture than children his age. 

• Experiencing behavioral and emotional problems, such as stress, excessive anxiety, irritability and depression. 

Mature

• Suffering from insulin resistance, which is a condition when the cells in the body cannot utilize the insulin hormone. The effect is that the pancreas works harder so it can produce more insulin to be used as energy and can end in type 2 diabetes.

• Suffering from hypertension, where the condition arises from consuming too much sodium so that the body is unable to dissolve fluids in the body. The more fluid, the blood vessels increase and result in hypertension.

• Suffering from diabetes, due to consuming excessive amounts of foods high in carbohydrate content and not accompanied by exercise. As a result, blood sugar levels increase (diabetes).

• Triggers diseases related to the heart, for example stroke, heart failure, coronary heart disease, and so on. This condition occurs because the body lacks vitamin D, resulting in blood vessels being disrupted and the left ventricle of the heart thickening.

Those are the various types of malnutrition, risk factors, and their impact on the body. Those of you who need nutritional consultation can visit Nutrition Specialist Premier Bintaro Hospital. Our experienced nutrition specialist will help you with nutritional knowledge, preventing malnutrition, and preparing a diet or food whose nutrition meets your daily needs.

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