Malnutrition is a medical condition caused by an insufficient diet. It most often refers to under nutrition resulting from inadequate consumption, poor absorption, or excessive loss of nutrients. An individual will experience malnutrition if the appropriate amount of, or quality nutrients are not consumed for an extended period of time. An extended period of malnutrition can result in starvation, disease, and infection.
A developing country is a country that has not yet reached standards in the areas of: democratic government, free market economy, industrialization, social programs, and human rights guaranties for their citizens.
Who is affected-Malnutrition usually affects children most often because it is harder for them to provide food for themselves.
Symptoms-The symptoms of malnutrition very widely due to the possibility of lack of a variety of nutrients, or any combination thereof. For example a lack of protein causes a swollen belly and a lack of vitamin A causes night blindness. For every nutrient there is an associated symptom or disease associated with not having enough of it.
Diagnosis-It is not as easy as with some diseases because there can be many different causes and symptoms.
