Humans who cannot access food and who experience hunger on an ongoing basis will eventually suffer from malnutrition. Even when food is readily accessible, humans can suffer from malnutrition if they don’t ingest the proper amounts of minerals, nutrients and vitamins. Diseases that prevent humans from digesting food properly can also lead to malnutrition. Some examples are celiac disease, which is an intestinal problem caused by gluten. Children who suffer from cystic fibrosis are also at risk. Cystic fibrosis affects the pancreas, which aids in absorption of proper nutrients.
Lactose intolerance prevents the proper digestion of milk and dairy products. This increases the chance of malnutrition because these products provide 75% of the calcium that is needed by the body.
If a child, or even an adult for that matter, is lacking in necessary nutrients, he will not necessarily become ill. The main nutrient that the body needs to fight off illness and disease is iron and more than 80% of the population in the world suffers from iron deficiency. That is a total of approximately five billion people. Foods that provide the body with iron include bread, cereal, egg yolks, fortified bread and flour and vegetables such as asparagus, beets, carrots and spinach.
Those at Risk
Children, as well as adults anywhere in the world who live in poverty are at risk for malnutrition. Third World countries, countries at war and natural disasters such as drought, earthquakes, floods and hurricanes can contribute to hunger that causes malnutrition because the food chain is disrupted.
Food manufacturers in North America often fortify foods with minerals and vitamins that prevent malnutrition. Iodine is added to salt to help prevent thyroid problems. Folic acid is added to prevent some types of birth defects and iron helps to prevent a wide range of maladies, including anemia.
Malnutrition can, and does, affect people of all ages, but is most common in children, adolescents and teens under the age of sixteen because nutrients are essential for development and growth. Elderly people and substance abusers are also at risk.
Children and adolescents who are vegetarians are also at high risk for malnutrition. It’s imperative that they eat a well-balanced diet and a wide variety of foods to assure their bodies receive the proper nutrients. It is wise for you to give children and adolescents in this category vitamins and supplements to ensure proper nutrition. They should also include a protein supplement in their diet.