Short And Long Term Effects Of Malnutrition In Children

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

Children with asthma can experience wheezing, shortness of breath, a tight chest and coughing and carry an inhaler with them to help control their breathing. This may mean the affected child is limited to certain physical activity therefore causing a possible delay to their physical development. Cystic fibrosis is another condition that may affect a child’s physical development; people with the condition can become very unwell if they are over-active. Due to a build-up of mucus in the lungs and digestive system, children can experience a persistent cough and recurring infections and have to undergo remedies like physiotherapy to reduce this risk. Lots of movement can result in fatigue as a result. Depending on how the child’s mother’s health was during pregnancy also affects the development rate of her child. For example if the mother drank alcohol, smoked and took drugs, her child is more likely to be born premature with a low birth weight which can result in a slower development rate. The average child’s development can also be affected by lack of sleep or an unbalanced diet. If a child isn’t eating the correct food types or getting enough sleep, they are unlikely to have the energy to learn new information or practice their physical skills. Diet and sleep are very important factors to child

And if a growing child cannot get the food he needs, his body will soon begin to waste. Over a longer period the child's growth will be permanently stunted (pg. 4).

Children in need of these nutrients can suffer from stunted growth never reaching potential height. Statistics have shown stunted growth children score significantly lower on intelligence tests than do normal children. Hunger interferes with physical, emotional and academic development. According to Freedom from Hunger, “more than 4 million children will die due to hunger related causes.” NASW(2016) shows an important connection food security and nutrition play in physical and mental health.

References Shashidhar, H. (2016, March 10). Malnutrition. Retrieved September 27, 2016, from

Studies have shown that hunger affects children's cognitive ability, their ability to fight off infection, and their ability to learn. Iron deficiency, which comes from lack of nutrient-rich food, has been shown to cause a shortened attention span, fatigue, decreased concentration levels, and irritability. All of this affects children's behavior, at school and at home. These negative effects of hunger can and will cause children to fall behind in their classes, whether it may be from sickness or getting in trouble. Hunger doesn't just tamper with children's behavior in short term ways, it also affects children in the long term, with permanent IQ loss, higher odds of having health problems later in life, and many other problems. The aspect of hunger also affects unborn babies. When expecting mothers don't get adequate nutrient intake, it increases the chance of their babies being born with low birth weights. Low birth weight babies are more likely than regular birth weight babies to have visual, auditory, and learning problems. Hunger negatively affects children of all

If someone suffered from malnutrition, it became hard for them to do normal things, like growing and resisting disease. Malnutrition also had other bad effects. For children, malnutrition slowed physical and mental development. Malnutrition also was a large contributor to disease. Even today, malnutrition is still a problem that needs to be solved.

Like any country, there are a variety of health concerns. About 50 percent of the children are malnourished-phsycially and mentally. When people experience malnourishment, often times it can stunt people’s growth as such a young age. Some illnesses are heart disease, kidney damage, and anemia, which can lead into adulthood.

A child’s physical development is likely to be affected as they will not grow and thrive at the appropriate rate, becoming under developed as well as under nourished.

both the physical and cognitive development of a child which is expected at that age. However not

The child has more strength to jump, climb, dance, and ride their bikes physically. It also is important to supervise them. Their brains will slower their physical health.

Nutritional deficits can cause many neurodevelopmental disorders including spina bifida, anencephaly etc. Both of these disorders are the effect of malnutrition. The cause which is common is the deficiency (maternal) of folic acid, is a vitamin B usually found actively in vegetables, fruits, and dairy products. Another deficiency is iodine deficiency which produces numerous neurodevelopmental disorders from lesser emotional disturbances to harsh mental

Failure to thrive. This is a term that means the child isn't gaining weight or height the way he or she should. Although this can be caused by a medical problem, it can also

It is imperative for children to develop with healthy nutrition during their first five years of life in order to sustain a healthy well being. When a child experiences stunted growth, they often have difficulties learning and