The Inadequacy in Nutrition

 According to Medical Encyclopedia, malnutrition is a condition that develops when the body does not get the right amount of the vitamins, minerals and other nutrients it needs to maintain healthy tissues and organ function. In my own definition, malnutrition is a situation, in which people of every age are affected because of lack of nutrients needed by the body. However, who are those people at the greatest risk of it? What are the real causes and effects of malnutrition? How it harms both body and mind?

            Poverty is one main cause of malnutrition. One of the most common problems of poor people is where they can get money. Moreover, because of lack sources of income, they cannot be able to spend money for the sake of their health. They are also not aware about the risk they may encounter, because they have inadequate knowledge on how they can protect themselves against illnesses. For instance, more often they drink water from faucets, in which pipes are located in dirty place; and as a result, it can bring some diseases. Another is the food. They usually eat foods, such as instant noodles and sardines. Furthermore, the most pitiful for them is that, even salt serves as their viand. Unfortunately, this kind of food does not have enough nutrients and can have bad effects to their mental and physical development. Thin body, large stomach and pale face are some features that we can notice to those malnourish people. On the other hand, in terms of mental development, they have slow process thinking.

          Older adults also suffer from nutrition problems. They are more prone to have insufficient than younger adults. There are also several causes why they do not usually eat properly, which leads them to be malnourished. First is the trouble of chewing and swallowing. Dental problems, including gum disease and cavities have something to do with the taste of food and make chewing nearly impossible. It can be a reason why they simply forget to eat. Next is the diminished of their taste and smell. Some sensory loss is said to be as a normal part of aging. However, medications that were given by them contribute to malnutrition. Medicines, such as antibiotic and aspirins may affect to diminish their sense of taste and smell. Last is the trouble of absorbing nutrients (malabsorption). Physiological changes that occur in older adults affect the way the body absorbs the nutrients. They also lack the vitamin B-12, which is necessary for normal functioning of the nervous system and for the formation of blood. Lack of vitamin B-12 also leads a person to undergo with serious problems, including muscle weakness, slurred speech and psychosis (a mental disease).

            The health of a pregnant woman is a big factor for the health of the child inside her womb. Therefore; if a mother is malnourish, her child is unhealthy as well. A mother become malnourished, when she smokes and drinks liquors. Infections, such as uterine and malarial also contribute for infants to born with a low birth weight. Low birth weight (LBW) increases the risk of the child. 

We must be careful always with what we are drinking and eating, because it affects our body and health. Vices like smoking and drinking must be avoided more especially by pregnant women. This is in order to avoid certain complication that those vices might bring to the mother and the child. For the older adults, any of the relatives must serve as guidance to help them do some activities, which is concerned with their health. Hence, health is our first wealth, if we are healthy, we can assure that we can perform other activities properly.