Signs and Symptoms of Malnutrition
Some signs and symptoms of malnutrition include:
- a lack of appetite or interest in food or drink
- tiredness and irritability
- an inability to concentrate
- always feeling cold
- depression
- loss of fat, muscle mass, and body tissue
- a higher risk of getting sick and taking longer to heal
- longer healing time for wounds
- a higher risk of complications after surgery
More serious symptoms may include difficulty breathing and heart failure.
Symptoms common in children include:
- a lack of growth and low body weight
- tiredness and a lack of energy
- irritability and anxiety [2]
- slow behavioral and intellectual development, possibly resulting in learning difficulties
Malnutrition can be treated. In some cases, however, malnutrition can have long-term effects.
Anorexia nervosa [3] is a mental health condition that can lead to severe malnutrition. Learn more about it here.