Poor Nutritional Status

Poor nutritional status as described by Abidoye & Ihebuzor(2001) referred to as malnutrition, is an unhealthy state or condition in which a person’s physical functions are temporarily or permanently damaged. People who are malnourished have a

weakened defence against disease, become ill more easily and more frequently and are less able to recover quickly and fully from disease. Children who are malnourished fall ill frequently and are not able to grow and develop properly. All forms of malnutrition can result in serious health problems and illnesses. In severe cases, malnutrition is life-threatening; it often leads to death.

Malnutrition creates great suffering to the individual, the family and the society. It damages people’s health and well-being and reduces their enjoyment of life. Malnutrition prevents people from being active members of their family and community. Malnourished children are too weak or sickly to attend school and learn properly which lowers their chances of good jobs and income in the future. Adults who are malnourished are less productive, have less energy to work, take care of their families and carry out activities of normal daily life. Malnutrition has high health care costs, as those suffering from nutrition-related illnesses require special care and treatment.

Malnutrition is caused by poor diets, illness and disease. Poor diet and disease act together, worsening the effects of each other. The combination of too little food and the presence of disease often results in malnutrition, especially in children. Poor, inadequate diets weaken the body, making disease and illness more likely. Disease, in turn, often increases the body’s need for food. Repeated and prolonged illnesses, such as diarrhoea and malaria, contribute to malnutrition, as nutritional needs are higher during and following illness. Frequent episodes of illness and acute infections make it almost impossible to maintain adequate nutritional status.

Reference

Abidoye, R. & Ihebuzor, N.(2001).Assessment of nutritional status using anthropometric methods on 1-4 year old children in an urban ghetto in Lagos, Nigeria. Nutritional Health Journal 2001, Vol. 15 pp. 29-39.