Questions and Answers

Here are a few prevalent questions that you might have about malnutrition.

What is chronic malnutrition?
Chronic Malnutrition is having a lack of calories or nutrients for an extended period of time. This lack causes physical symptoms and sicknesses that can sometimes be reversed. If a child does not receive the food that they need from birth past age two the symptoms are generally not reversible.

What population is affected most?
Children are burdened the most by this problem. They cannot provide food for themselves the way that an adult can. Their bodies are more susceptible to sickness and disease, which often leads to malnutrition. If a malnourished child makes it to adulthood they are more likely to get sick or die early of organ failure.

What happens to children who are affected by malnutrition?
A child will have many lasting affects from stunted growth to lower IQ. Development of every organ in the body is dependant on nutrients. Often the brain and nervous system do not reach their potential. This causes a lack of mental capacity and impaired social skills along with lower coordination. Their physical energy levels are low thus limiting their ability to attend school and latter work.

Is malnutrition linked to genetics like obesity is?
Malnutrition is genetic in a way, yes. Malnourished women give birth to underweight children. This is more cause and effect than genetics, but in this way it runs in families.

Which countries are most affected?
The country with the highest percentage and number of children affected is India at 47%. Sub-Saharan Africa is also a hard hit area.

How many children are affected by malnutrition in the world?
40% of the 11 million deaths of children under five are attributed to malnutrition. An additional 1.5 million deaths are attributed to improper breastfeeding. –care of UNICEF.

What micronutrients or macronutrients are most commonly lacking?
The micronutrients that are often lacking are iron, iodine and vitamin A. The macronutrient that is lacking most often is protein.

What are the best sources for these nutrients?
Both iron and protein are most readily found in meat, which is often expensive. Vitamin A is most commonly found in yellow, orange and dark green vegetables. Dark green vegetables also provide protein and iron. Iodine on the other hand is most readily available in iodized salt, seafood or plants grown in iodine rich soil.

How important is education in preventing malnutrition?
UNICEF reports that children who are born to women with no education are twice as likely to die in infancy as those who are born to mothers with even four years of education.

Does malnutrition affect women more than men?
Yes. In most developing countries boys are valued more than girls because they will be able to provide for their parents later and the girls will not.