Signs and Risk Factors of Malnutrition
A Healthier Michigan
| 3 min read
If there is an imbalance between the nutrients your body needs and the nutrients you are able to eat and absorb it can cause malnutrition. Undernutrition is most common condition associated with malnutrition but there can be other causes as well. Malnutrition includes undernutrition as well as overnutrition, or an imbalance of nutrients. As of 2023, almost 13%of Americans – or almost 17 million Americans – suffer from or are at risk of malnutrition or food insecurity.
Who is at risk of malnutrition?
Malnutrition can happen to anyone who does not have a healthy diet or is unable to absorb nutrients properly even if they are eating a healthy diet, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Malnutrition is more common in developing countries and in poor populations because of a lack of healthy, nutritious foods.
Risks of undernutrition
Poor and low-income individuals and communities can be at risk of undernutrition due to a lack of resources. “Food deserts” are areas without grocery stores or a steady local supply of fresh and healthy foods. This can leave residents without healthy options and more reliant on ultra-processed or fast foods.
Children are at higher risk of malnutrition because they rely on a parent, guardian or institution for their meals. Children have more nutritional needs than adults and the dangers of malnutrition are higher and longer lasting for children.
Elderly adults are also at a higher risk of malnutrition due to metabolic changes as they age, which affect nutrient absorption and can suppress the appetite. Elderly people in nursing homes or with reduced mobility or independence have less control over their nutritional choices.
Individuals who have malabsorption, or any condition that impedes the body from absorbing nutrients properly, can face greater risk of malnutrition. Malabsorption commonly occurs in the chronically ill, those with pancreatic or digestive diseases and the elderly.
What are signs of malnutrition?
Different types of malnutrition result in different signs and symptoms, which vary in visibility and impact. Malnutrition can also affect many areas of overall health, including mental health and cognition, dental health, bone density, senses of smell and taste, respiratory health and the immune system, among others.
Signs of undernutrition
Signs of undernutrition may vary based on which nutrients are missing from the diet. Common signs or symptoms of undernutrition include:
- Easily bruised skin that is pale and dry
- Rashes or skin changes
- Thin hair that breaks easily
- Aches and pains in joints and limbs
- Brittle or soft bones
- Bleeding gums and dental conditions
- Poor mood or increased stress and anxiety
- Low body temperature and inability to get warm
Risks of overnutrition
When an individual has a diet with too much of one or more nutrients such as an excess of protein, carbohydrates and/or fat this can lead to overnutrition. When you eat excess nutrients your body stores them away in your adipose, or fat cells. As more storage is need the fat cells continue to grow. This can lead to chronic inflammation and increase the risk of diabetes and heart disease.
Those with disordered eating, people adverse to specific foods or “picky eaters,” those who live in food deserts or those without access to a variety of healthy options are at a higher risk of overnutrition.
People who live a sedentary lifestyle are also at risk of overnutrition due to lack of proper exercise and activity. Desk workers, students and those with mobility issues may be at risk without proper exercise.
Signs of overnutrition
Overnutrition symptoms tend to be less obvious than signs of undernutrition. Signs of overnutrition can include:
- Obesity
- Heart disease
- Elevated blood pressure
- Insulin resistance and pre-diabetes
