Common Causes of Malnutrition
Malnutrition is a worldwide problem that can be as a result of environmental, economic and medical conditions. According to the WHO, there’s an estimate that over 460 million adults and 150 million children are undernourished, while more than two billion adults and children are overweight or obese.
Common causes of malnutrition include:
- Food insecurity or a lack of access to sufficient and affordable food: Based on studies, malnutrition has been linked to food insecurity both in developing and developed nations.
- Digestive problems and issues with nutrient absorption: There are certain health conditions that cause malabsorption, such as Crohn’s disease [5], celiac disease [6] and bacterial overgrowth in the intestines. These health conditions can make it difficult to consume certain food thereby leading to malnutrition.
- Excessive alcohol consumption: Heavy alcohol can affect your intake of enough protein, calories and micronutrients.
- Mental health disorders: Depression and other mental health conditions can increase malnutrition risk. One study found that the prevalence of malnutrition was 4% higher in people with depression compared to healthy individuals.
- Inability to obtain and cook foods: Studies have identified being frail, having poor mobility and lacking muscle strength as risk factors for malnutrition. These issues impair food preparation skills.