A Tragedy of Great Magnitude MALNUTRITION

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Malnutrition is caused by a deficiency in the intake of nutrients by the cells of the body, and it is usually triggered by a combination of two factors: (1) an insufficient intake of proteins, calories, vitamins, and minerals and (2) frequent infections.Such illnesses as diarrhea, measles, malaria, and respiratory diseases tax the body heavily and cause loss of nutrients. They reduce appetite and food intake, thus contributing to malnutrition. On the other hand, the undernourished child is more susceptible to infections. Children are at a greater risk of suffering malnutrition. Frequently, the baby’s problem begins even before birth. If a mother is undernourished or malnourished before and during pregnancy, the baby will have a low birth weight. Then, early weaning, poor feeding habits, and lack of hygiene can bring on malnutrition.Lack of necessary nutrients causes the child to stop growing and developing properly. It cries a lot and is prone to sickness. As the condition worsens, weight loss becomes more pronounced, eyes and fontanel (the soft spot on top of the head) become sunken, skin and tissues lose elasticity, and the ability to maintain body temperature decreases.
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Undernourishment can take other forms. These too can retard growth in children. For instance, an inadequate intake of minerals—mainly iron, iodine, and zinc—and of vitamins—particularly vitamin A—can have such an effect as a deficiency of vitamin A affects alot of small children in the world and causes blindness. It also weakens the immune system, reducing the child’s resistance to infections. Various studies have shown that poor growth in a child is associated with impaired mental development and poor scholastic and intellectual performance, these effects the most serious long-term results of malnutrition.For children who survive malnutrition, the aftermath can linger on into adulthood.
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The long-term consequences of malnutrition are of great concern undernourishment in infancy can lead to chronic illnesses in adulthood. Children who suffer from mild or moderate malnutrition may face long-term health repercussions. It is therefore vital that symptoms of undernourishment in children be identified so that proper treatment can be provided.
The direct causes of malnutrition is lack of food. But there are deeper social, economic, cultural, and environmental causes. Principal among them is poverty, which affects millions of people, particularly in developing countries. However, in addition to being a cause, poverty is also a consequence, as undernourishment weakens people’s productivity, thus intensifying poverty
There are other contributing factors.
Lack of knowledge breeds poor eating habits.
Infections, as we have seen, play a role.
There are also social and cultural causes, such as the unequal distribution of food and discrimination against women. Women often eat “last and least”—that is, after men and less than men. Women are also denied educational opportunities that would help them to care for their children better.
Environmental factors cause a decrease in food production. Among these are natural disasters and wars.

If the child suffers from serious undernourishment, hospitalization may be best for initial treatment. The doctors will evaluate the child’s condition and treat any infections or dehydration. Feeding may begin gradually, often starting with a tube. This initial phase may take as long as a week.
A rehabilitation phase follows.Emotional and physical stimulation are important during this phase. Care and affection can do a surprising amount of good for the child’s development. This is when the mother may be given education on how to care for her child with a proper diet and hygiene, so as to avoid a relapse. Then the child is released from the hospital. It is important that the child be taken to the hospital or clinic for follow-up visits.
Clearly, however, prevention is the best course. That is why in many countries, government and private organizations have established food supplementation programs or programs to fortify foods for general consumption. Communities also contribute to the prevention of malnutrition in many ways, such as by providing nutritional education programs, protecting the drinking water supply, building latrines, keeping the surroundings clean, sponsoring vaccination campaigns, and watching over the growth and development of children.
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It must be admitted that malnutrition is a big problem. But what can be done on an individual basis to prevent malnutrition?
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