Question

Describe malnutrition and when it is most harmful to children.

Answer 1

Malnutrition means a diet poor in the essential nutrients necessary for growth and development .It can occur to children as well as adults.Childrens are more vulnerable and prone for malnutrition. It can affect the child and cause permanent irreversible damage to their health.

It is more harmful when mother is not taking adequate nutrition during pregnancy,children less than two years not having proper nutritional diet,poor protein ,calories,fats,carbhohydrates,vitamins and mineral intake,

Diseases like Kwashiorkor, Marasmus affect the child even after recovery.

Malnutrition affect children motor function and brain development, poor physical development, low immunity, high risk for cardiac diseases, diarrhoea,stunting, muscle wasting.