Malnutrition affects and harms both the physical body and the mental psyche. The more malnourished the body is, the more likely that children will experience physical and mental problems. If the body is only mildly malnourished, there may be no signs or symptoms visible to those around these children. Signs and symptoms that might indicate that a child is suffering from malnutrition include:
Dizziness and poor balance.
Chronic fatigue or lack of energy.
Dry, scaly or flaking skin.
A low immune system which cannot fight off infections and illness.
Badly decayed teeth.
Swollen and/or bleeding gums.
Loss of weight or being underweight.
Slowed reflexes.
Inattentiveness or trouble remembering.
Stinted growth.
Bloated stomach if malnutrition is severe.
Muscle weakness and trembling.
Osteoporosis, which causes bones to break easily.
Lack of organ function, including kidney shutdown.
Swollen and/or painful joints.
Vitamin and Mineral Deficiency
Those who lack Vitamin A can lose much or all of their vision. Vitamin A deficiency is the leading cause of blindness in children that live in Third World countries. These children have a high risk of illness and can easily die from childhood diseases such as measles, mumps and chickenpox. Diarrhea can also be fatal.
Iodine deficiency is a form of malnutrition. It can cause delayed development, autism and mental retardation. Lack of iron causes children to be lethargic and inattentive. Children and teens who suffer from malnutrition will experience decreasing academic grades.