What Are The Types Of Malnutrition?

Impact of Malnutrition

The impacts of malnutrition are widespread. When malnutrition is common in a community or on a systemic level, societal effects can be seen in infrastructures and the way individuals behave. For individuals, malnutrition has a serious impact on physical functioning and psychological well-being. Children who experience chronic malnourishment can have stunted growth, problems with brain development, and permanent psychological issues. Heart disease and diabetes can also be caused by malnutrition. Long-term undernutrition has effects on the metabolism that can increase an individual's risk of obesity. Studies also indicate children who have stunted growth because of malnutrition are more likely to become overweight. In one study of children in Brazil, they found malnutrition increased the risk of having high blood pressure. More than twenty percent of children with stunted growth had high blood pressure, while only about ten percent of those without stunted growth did.