The signs and symptoms of malnutrition are diverse because there are many different types of malnutrition.
In undernutrition, the initial symptoms might be a lack of interest in food, fatigue, irritability, and poor concentration. There might be unintentional weight loss, a low body-fat percentage, and sometimes mental health conditions like anxiety or depression. Muscle weakness could result in difficulty with normal tasks like getting dressed or taking a walk. Very low intake or poor absorption of food could result in low blood sugar levels and electrolyte disturbances.[1]
In micronutrient malnutrition, the symptoms could be related to the inappropriate levels of a specific vitamin or mineral. For example, a low level of vitamin B12 could cause peripheral neuropathy,[2][3] and a high calcium level could cause abdominal discomfort and bone pain,[4] while a low iron level might cause severe fatigue.[5]
In overweight and obesity, malnutrition occurs due to an excess of energy intake, and this can cause joint pain and fatigue. It can also have a negative effect on mental health. Chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol can develop in people with overweight and obesity, and this increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and chronic kidney disease.[6]
References
- ^Elia MDefining, Recognizing, and Reporting Malnutrition.Int J Low Extrem Wounds.(2017 Dec)
- ^Leishear K, Boudreau RM, Studenski SA, Ferrucci L, Rosano C, de Rekeneire N, Houston DK, Kritchevsky SB, Schwartz AV, Vinik AI, Hogervorst E, Yaffe K, Harris TB, Newman AB, Strotmeyer ES, Health, Aging and Body Composition StudyRelationship between vitamin B12 and sensory and motor peripheral nerve function in older adults.J Am Geriatr Soc.(2012 Jun)
- ^Franques J, Chiche L, De Paula AM, Grapperon AM, Attarian S, Pouget J, Mathis SCharacteristics of patients with vitamin B12-responsive neuropathy: a case series with systematic repeated electrophysiological assessment.Neurol Res.(2019 Jun)
- ^Judith Blaine, Michel Chonchol, Moshe LeviRenal control of calcium, phosphate, and magnesium homeostasisClin J Am Soc Nephrol.(2015 Jul 7)
- ^Warner, MJ et al“Iron Deficiency Anemia”, in StatPearls (Internet), USA: StatPearls Publishing(2023-08-07)
- ^Orzano AJ, Scott JGDiagnosis and treatment of obesity in adults: an applied evidence-based review.J Am Board Fam Pract.(2004 Sep-Oct)