6.3 Malnutrition

DEFINITION Lack of one or more of the nutrients required (unbalanced diet) in the diet to maintain good health MALNUTRITION CAUSED BY e)Undernourishment f)An inability to use absorbed nutrients g)The failure to meet a required increase in nutrient intake h)Nutrient losses THREE STAGES TO PROVIDE ENERGY j)Carbohydrate which store in body used up k)Fat oxidised l)Protein broken down

DEFICIENCY IN VARIOUS NUTRIENTS Nutrient

Effects

Characteristics

Proteins

a) Kwashiorkor b) Marasmus

Stomach bloated, growth of body and brain retarded, no appetite for food, weak body

Vitamin A

a) Night blindness b) Xerophthalmia

Poor night vision Cornea dry and opaque

Vitamin B1

Beri-beri

Swollen legs and ankles, numbness in hands, muscular pain and cramps, fatigue, loss of appetite

Vitamin B3

Pellagra

Dermatitis (skin becomes red and inflamed), diarrhoea and mental disorder)

Vitamin B12 Iron

Anaemia

Lack of red blood cells or haemoglobin to transport oxigen

DEFICIENCY IN VARIOUS NUTRIENTS Nutrient

Effects

Characteristics

Vitamin C

Scurvy

Bleeding gums, bruised skin, painful and swollen joints, weakness

Vitamin D Calcium

a) Rickets (children)

Stunted growth of bones and teeth, weak bones Brittle bones which are easily broken

b) Osteoporosis (aged adults) Iodine

a) Goitre (adults) b) Cretinism (children)

Enlarged thyroid glands Physical and mental growth retarded

Sodium

Muscular cramps

Sudden and painful contraction of muscles

EFFECTS OF EXCESSIVE INTAKE OF CERTAIN NUTRIENTS ON HEALTH Nutrients Carbohydrates (Sugar)

Effects a) Obesity b) Dental Caries

Characteristics Body weight more than 20% of the suitable body weight for a particular height Tooth decay due to the destruction of the teeth’s enamel by acids which are produced by bacteria from carbohydrate

Lipids

Atherosclerosis

The narrowing and hardening of arteries due to saturated fats and cholesterol deposited on the inner walls of the arteries

Proteins

a) Gout b) Stones in the kidney

Excessive uric deposits on the joints Uric acid crystalises and forms stones in the kidney

EFFECTS OF EXCESSIVE INTAKE OF CERTAIN NUTRIENTS ON HEALTH Nutrient Vitamin A

Minerals b)Sodium

g)Calcium

Effects Liver damage

Characteristics The liver fails to function because liver cells die and fibrous tissues form in the liver

ii)High blood pressure Fatigue, headache, can cause bleeding in iii)Kidney damage the brain (stroke), and heart failure Kidney are overload with the task of removing excess salts vi)Atheriosclerosis Calcium deposits on the inner walls of arteries causing the arteries to harden and lose their elasticity. Reduces flow of blood or forms a blockage