Why is malnutrition described as a tragedy of great magnitude?

Malnutrition has been described as a tragedy of great magnitude. WHO (World Health Organisation) declares that it is an accomplice in at least half of the 10.4 million child deaths each year. Malnutrition covers a wide range of illness from under-nourishment due to a lack of one or more nutrients such as vitamin and mineral deficiencies to obesity and other diet-related chronic diseases. However, Protein Energy Malnutrition (PEM) is by far the lethal form of malnutrition. Malnutrition is not restricted to children. It casts long shadows in the developing world according to WHO.

Industrialized countries are not free from the scourge of malnutrition as about 11 million people suffer from it. Malnutrition is caused by a deficiency in the intake of nutrients by the cells of the body and it is usually triggered by a combination of factors, an insufficient intake of proteins, calories, vitamins and minerals and frequent infections. Illnesses such as diarrhea, measles, malaria, and respiratory diseases that the body heavily and cause loss of nutrients. They reduce appetite and food intake thus contributing to malnutrition.

Children are at a greater risk of suffering malnutrition. This is because they are in a period of rapid growth that increases the demand for calories and proteins. For Similar reasons pregnant and nursing women are easily prone to malnutrition.

Frequently the baby’s problem begins even before birth. If a mother is undernourished or malnourished before and during pregnancy, the baby will have low weight. Then early weaning, poor feeding habits and lack of hygiene can bring malnutrition. Malnutrition wreaks havoc on the body particularly that of a child and various studies have shown that poor growth in the child is associated with impaired mental development and poor scholastic and intellectual performance. A report from united state calls these effects the most serious long term results of malnutrition. For children who survived malnutrition the aftermath can linger on into adulthood.