Malnutrition is a lack of nutrients needed for good health and can be caused by reduced intake, inability to use nutrients, or failure to increase intake as required, leading to deficiency diseases like kwashiorkor, beri-beri, and pellagra if nutrients like proteins, vitamins B1 and B3 are deficient. Both malnutrition and overconsumption of nutrients can cause health issues like high blood pressure, diabetes, osteoporosis, and more, but these risks can be reduced by maintaining a balanced diet and exercising regularly.

2. LEARNING OUTCOMES
 To explain what malnutrition is
 To explain the effects of malnutrition using
examples
 To describe ways to reduce the chance of
contracting certain health problems due to
one’s diet
 To describe ways to reduce the effects of
certain health problem

3. Malnutrition and Its Effects
 Malnutrition : lack of one or more of
the nutrients required in the diet to
maintain good health
 Can be caused by :
 A reduced intake of nutrients
(undernourishment)
 An inability to use absorbed nutrients
 The failure to meet a required increase in
nutrient intake
 Nutrient loses

4. Malnutrition & Its
Effects
 3 stages to provide energy in cases of
3 stages to provide energy in cases of
malnutrition :
 The carbohydrate stores in the body are
used up
 The fat reserves are oxidised
 Proteins are broken down. When protein
levels have been reduced to half their
normal value, death will occur
 Lack of any nutrient can cause deficiency
diseases

5. Nutrients Effects of Characteristics
deficiency
Proteins Kwashiorkor Stomach bloated, growth of
body and brain retarded,
no appetite for food, weak
body
Vitamin A Night blindness  poor night vision
Xerophthalmia  cornea dry & opaque
Vitamin B1 Beri-beri Swollen legs & ankles,
numbness in hands,
muscular pain & cramps,
fatigue, loss of appetite
Vitamin B3 Pellagra Dermatitis (skin becomes
red & inflamed), diarrhoea
& mental disorder

6. Vitamin B12 Anaemia Lack of RBC or haemoglobin
Iron to transport oxygen
Vitamin C Scurvy Bleeding gums, bruise skin,
painful & swollen joints,
weakness
Vitamin D Rickets Stunted growth of bones &
Calcium Osteoporosis teeth, weak bones
Brittle bones which easily
broken
Iodine Goitre Enlarge thyroid glands
Cretinism Physical & mental growth
retarded
Sodium Muscular cramps Sudden & painful contraction
of muscles

7. E f f e c t s o f E x c e s s iv e
In t a k e o f C e r t a in
N u t r ie n t s o n H e a lt h
Nutrient Effects Characteristics
Carbohydrates  Obesity which may Body weight is more than
(sugar) lead to high blood 20% of the suitable body
pressure, diabetes weight for a particular
mellitus, heart diseases height
Dental caries Tooth decay due to the
destruction of the teeth’s
enamel by acids which
are produced by bacteria
from carbohydrate
Lipids Atherosclerosis (as a The narrowing &
result of saturated hardening of arteries
animal fats)

8. Proteins  Gout Excessive uric acid
 Stones in the kidney deposits on the joints
which can damage the causing joint pain
kidney Uric acid crystalises
& forms stones in the
kidney
Vitamin A Liver damage The liver fails to
function because liver
cells die & fibrous
tissues form in the
liver
Sodium High blood pressure Fatigue, headache,
Kidney damage can cause bleeding in
the brain (stroke) &
heart failure
Kidneys are
overloaded with the
task of removing
excess salt

9. Calcium Atherosclerosis Calcium deposits
on the inner walls
of arteries causing
the arteries to
harden & lose their
elasticity

10. D IE T -R E L A T E D
D IS E A S E S
 HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
– Excessive intake of food that is rich in
saturated fat, cholesterol & calcium leads to
atherosclerosis & high blood pressure.
– The saturated fats, cholesterol & calcium are
deposited on the inner walls of arteries. The
lumen become smaller & the walls of the
arteries harden & lose their elasticity. Blood
flow is reduced. the heart pump faster to
produce a higher pressure

11. – Also can cause by excessive intake of salts,
tea & coffee which can increase the rate of
heart beat, thus increasing the blood
pressure.
– Ways to reduce the risk of HBP :
 Reduce the intake of food which are rich in
saturated fats & cholesterol
 Exercise frequently
 Reduce the intake of salts in food, as well as tea
& coffee
 Do not smoke
 Have enough rest

12. D IE T -R E L A T E D
D IS E A S E
 DIABETES MELLITUS
– Caused by excessive glucose in the blood & its
subsequent excretion in the urine
– Excessive intake of food rich in sugar (carbohydrates)
can cause diabetes mellitus
– Obesity can also lead to DM
– The risk of DM can be reduced by :
 Reduce the intake of food rich in sugar
 Exercise frequently

13. DIET-RELATED
DISEASE
 OSTEOPOROSIS
– Due to the lack of calcium, phosphorus &
vitamin D in the diet of an adult
– Low density of the bone mass & the bones
become thin & brittle, easily broken
– The risk of contracting osteoporosis can be
reduced in the following ways :
 Intake of food rich in calcium, phosphorus & vitamin
D
 Exercise frequently

14. K w a s h io k
or

15. X e r o p h t h a lm ia

16. B e r i-b e r i

17. PELLAG RA

18. A N A E M IA

19. S C U R VY

20. R IC K E T S

21. G O IT R E

22. A TH E R O S C L E R O
S IS

23. O S TE O P O R
O S IS

24. O B E S IT Y

25. G OUT

26. H IG H B L O O D
PRES S URE

27. D IA B E T E S
M E L L IT U S

28. E X E R C IS E 6 . 3
1. Ex p l ai n wh at i s
mal n u t r i t i o n .
2. Ex p l ai n t h e e f f e c t s o f
mal n u t r i t i o n u s i n g e x amp l e s .
3. D e s c r i b e ways t o r e d u c e t h e
e f f e c t s o f c e r t ai n h e al t h
p r o b l e ms .