Malnutrition means getting too little of the types of food necessary for good health. About 3 million people in Britain have malnutrition. This affects their health and ability to work. Some people are more at risk than others. Between 40 to 80 out of every 100 people with cancer (40 to 80%) have malnutrition. You can be malnourished or at risk of being malnourished regardless of how much you weigh. Not being able to eat enough protein and calories is one of the main problems for people with cancer. Extra protein helps with healing after treatments such as Surgery.
Types of Malnutrition:
Protein-Energy Malnutrition (PEM): This is the most common form of malnutrition, characterized by a deficiency in both calories and protein. PEM can manifest in two primary forms: marasmus (chronic energy deficiency) and kwashiorkor (protein deficiency).
Micronutrient Deficiencies: Also known as hidden hunger, this type of malnutrition occurs when the body lacks essential vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin A, iron, iodine, zinc, or vitamin D. Micronutrient deficiencies can lead to specific health conditions and impair normal bodily functions.
Overnutrition: While malnutrition is often associated with undernutrition, overnutrition is another form of malnutrition. Overnutrition refers to the excessive consumption of calories, leading to obesity and associated health problems.
Causes of Malnutrition:
Inadequate Diet: Limited access to a variety of nutrient-rich foods, poverty, lack of education on nutrition, and food insecurity can contribute to malnutrition.
Digestive Disorders: Certain digestive disorders, such as celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, or conditions affecting the pancreas, liver, or intestines, can impair nutrient absorption and cause malnutrition.
Chronic Illnesses: Health conditions like cancer, HIV/AIDS, kidney disease, and heart failure can increase nutrient requirements, alter metabolism, or affect nutrient absorption, leading to malnutrition.
Alcoholism: Excessive alcohol consumption can interfere with nutrient absorption and lead to malnutrition.
Eating Disorders: Conditions like anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa involve distorted eating patterns that can result in severe malnutrition.
Poverty and Socioeconomic Factors: Lack of access to nutritious food, limited resources, and poverty contribute to malnutrition in many regions.
Effects of Malnutrition:
Malnutrition can have numerous adverse effects on physical and mental health, including:
- Stunted growth and development in children
- Weak immune system, leading to increased susceptibility to infections
- Weight loss, muscle wasting, and fatigue
- Impaired cognitive function and reduced learning capacity
- Increased risk of chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes
- Delayed wound healing
- Complications during pregnancy and childbirth
- Increased mortality rates, particularly in vulnerable populations
Treatment and Prevention:
Treating malnutrition involves addressing the underlying causes and providing adequate nutrition through a balanced diet or therapeutic foods. In severe cases, medical intervention, such as nutritional supplements or feeding through a tube, may be necessary. Prevention strategies include improving access to nutritious food, promoting education on proper nutrition and breastfeeding, enhancing agricultural practices, and addressing social and economic factors that contribute to malnutrition.
It’s important to note that while I strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, it’s always recommended to consult medical professionals or nutritionists for personalized advice and guidance regarding specific health concerns.
References
- Quality standard for nutrition support in adults (QS24)
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), November 2012 - Nutrition and Cancer
Edited by Clare Shaw
Wiley-Blackwell, 2011 - Introduction to malnutrition
BAPEN (British Association of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition) - Nutrition in Cancer Patients
P Ravasco
Journal of clinical medicine, 2019, 8(8), 1211. - Molecular nutritional immunology and cancer
R Pehreli
Journal of Oncological Sciences, Volume 4, Issue 1, April 2018, Pages 40-46 - The role of parenteral and enteral/oral nutritional support in patients with cancer
A Jatoi and others
