Malnutrition Associated With Chronic Disease

BMI provides some indication as to the patient’s nutritional status. A low BMI is associated with inadequate nutritional intake; this occurs when there is a deficiency or imbalance in the nutrients consumed, which can lead to malnutrition. (Lennard-Jones,1992). However some patients may have a normal or high BMI and be classed as malnourished. This can be because they have a low intake of nutrients such as vitamins and protein, or because they may be consuming the wrong type of foods (Ward and Rollins, 1999).

Malnutrition is a problem that is estimated to contribute to more than one third of death among children (WHO, 2014). Under nutrition is a form of malnutrition; it occurs when nutritional reserves are exhausted or nutritional intake is insufficient to satisfy daily needs or increased metabolic demands (Jarvis, 2013, p. 175). Prolonged periods in this state can lead to stunted growth which is associated with lower

Malnutrition is a common health problem and is caused by either an inadequate diet or a problem absorbing nutrients from food. There are many reasons why this might happen, including having reduced mobility, a long-term health condition or a low income. The most common symptom of under-nutrition is unplanned weight loss and other signs could be weak muscles, feeling tired all the time, low mood and an increase in illnesses or infections. The main sign of over-nutrition is being overweight or obese. However, people with under-nutrition can also be overweight if they eat a diet high in energy (calories), but low in other nutrients. Signs of malnutrition in children can include failure to grow at the expected rate and changes in behaviour such as appearing unusually irritable, sluggish or anxious

Farming for our food has negative and positive aspects of our health and our environment. Malnutrition and starvation can be resolved with new farming tactics and government-funded movements. The negative aspects of farming are a major cause of the starvation and malnutrition in the United States. New farming advancements and the Government are helping to turn around the issue of starvation and malnutrition.

The common problem in recovering patients in acute care settings is malnutrition and dehydration. “Malnutrition affects 45% of patients admitted to hospital, leading to longer stays and increased risk of re-admission” since patients are not properly recovered when they leave the hospital and are not aware of the effects of malnutrition (Dietitians of Canada, 2015). In addition to readmission, patients who are malnourished throughout hospitalization often leads to morbidity and mortality, thus increasing the cost for the patients’ healthcare for their own recovery from having unhealthy nutrition (Keller et al., 2014). Improper fluid intake can lead to illnesses and diseases, including stroke, uncontrolled blood glucose levels for patients with

“Nutritional status is measured using evidence-based Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST), which takes into consideration the patient’s height, weight, body mass index (BMI), and recent unplanned weight loss to determine the overall risk score and category of malnutrition” (Leaker, 2013, The Role of Nutrition in Preventing Pressure Ulcers, para 11). I will use this assessment on my patients to determine the proper action I should take: Should I educate my patient to eat more proteins if they have a low BMI? Do I need to find nutritional supplements for my patients so that their nutritional needs are met? In addition to the MUST assessment, I will perform a visual assessment documenting any present edema, signs of dehydration, dysphagia, and other things that are proven risks for malnutrition that can later lead to the development of pressure ulcers. The article notates that putting patients in an upright position to eat, providing snacks throughout the day, and sticking to a meal schedule on a daily basis can promote good nutrition as well (Leaker, 2013). If I feel that there is nothing else that I can do to ensure my patients are reaching their maximum nutritional status, I will

Mr. Basset is an 80 year old man who is widowed. His wife did most of the cooking and now with no one available to cook meals for him, he is not receiving his daily average of vitamins and nutrients. Also, due to the chemotherapy and medications Mr. Basset is receiving, the interaction of food and drugs is contributing to his malnutrition. There are multiple effects with food and drug interactions that can affect elderly patients for example, loss of appetite, prevent medications from working, cause a side effect to get worse or cause new side effects. Lastly, because Mr. Basset has complained about his ill-fitting dentures, this as well is a reason to his malnutrition. It makes it harder for Mr. Basset to chew and swallow his food.

Nutritional imbalances and chronic inflammation may go hand in hand. The more we learn, the more we realize that we really are what we eat.

Malnutrition is when the body doesn’t receive enough nutrients for proper function. Undernutrition is when one’s body could be underweight, too short for their age, or excessively thin and “receiving fewer calories than the minimum dietary energy requirement” (Withcott & Laposata, 2012). Overnutrition is a form of malnutrition but comes from eating too much, eating junk, lack of physical activities or just eating the wrong foods and the intake too many supplements. “Overnutrition leads to unhealthy weight gain, which leads to cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and other health problems” (Withcott & Laposata, 2012). One is of the opinion that overnutrition is the most common in the United States. In our textbook by Withcott & Laposata, in the

According to Merriam Webster Online, malnutrition is defined as “the unhealthy condition that results from not eating enough food or not eating enough healthy food.” A lack of nutrition or over-nutrition is associated with acute and long-term issues such as “poor wound healing, higher infection risks, increased hospital stays, and eventual mortality and morbidity.” (McCarthy, Dixon, Crabtree, Eaton-Evans, McNulty, 2012).

Based on the Mini Nutritional Assessment, she scored a 19.5, which puts her at risk for malnutrition. Her nutrition is adequate, however her choice of food is not healthy. She has low intake of water and fruits. She consumes ice-cream and meat everyday. She is also obese and has a BMI over 30. Because of her Parkinson’s disease, she is limited to bed and chair. She does some chair exercises with her caregiver that helps her get some appetite.

"Older adults are particularly at risk for malnutrition due to changes in their bodies as they age and the medications they take, which can affect their ability to absorb vital nutrients." (Kathleen Cameron, Senior Director of NCOA's Center for Healthy Aging). Some problems that can be caused by malnutrition are a weak immune system, poor wound healing, and muscle weakness.

Due to the cramped living conditions, poor hygiene, and shortage of food, sickness and disease circulated below the decks of the slave ships. One of the most significant physical health problems was malnutrition. The quantity and quality of food were both inadequate, as the ship crews did not want to squander resources to purchase proper nutrition. Items, such as fresh meat and fruits, added an additional expense that would cut deep into the captain’s pocket. Food, onboard the slave ships, was substandard. The African slaves’ diet consisted primarily of horse beans, yams, and rice. The slaves evidently did not have much to consume, which ultimately affected their bodies’ ability to repel infections:

      At any age, nutrition is vital to maintaining health and enhancing quality of life.  However, achieving good nutrition can be especially difficult for the elderly, the fastest growing portion of America's population.  Many factors, including physiological changes, changes in nutritional needs, illness and physical limitations, food-medication interactions, depression and loneliness, and food insecurity are common causes of malnutrition in the elderly.  This paper will explore factors affecting elderly nutrition, provide suggestions for obtaining and maintaining good nutrition after age 65, and describe the services available to help the elderly meet their nutritional needs.

For most us Americans, knowing when we’re going to eat next is something we very rarely think of, and when we do think about being hungry we still know where our food is coming from. Three big meals a day, and a few snacks in between, is how most of us live. It’s hard for us to imagine what its like for those who go days eating very little or nothing at all. But unfortunately that’s how it is for most of the world and surprisingly it happens in the United Sates as well. There are many reasons malnutrition can happen, and it happens to every age group. Even though there are many ways to treat it, in the