# malnutrition

> medical condition that results from eating too little, too much, or the wrong nutrients

**Wikidata**: [Q12167](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12167)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malnutrition)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/malnutrition

## Summary
Malnutrition is a medical condition resulting from insufficient, excessive, or improper nutrient intake. It encompasses disorders like undernutrition, overnutrition, and specific deficiencies such as beriberi, and can manifest in severe forms like starvation or refeeding syndrome. The condition affects individuals of all ages and is classified as a nutrition disorder.

## Key Facts
- Malnutrition is a nutrition disorder caused by inadequate or excessive nutrient intake.
- It includes conditions like undernutrition, overnutrition, and specific deficiencies such as beriberi.
- Severe forms include starvation and refeeding syndrome.
- It is classified as a clinical sign of nutritional imbalances.
- Malnutrition in children is a distinct condition affecting their growth and development.
- Related entities include academic disciplines, historical figures like Ernst Günther Schenck, and specific malnutrition subtypes like hypotrophy and rabbit starvation.
- It is associated with various medical codes, identifiers, and classifications in healthcare systems.

## FAQs
**What are the main types of malnutrition?**
Malnutrition includes undernutrition (insufficient nutrient intake), overnutrition (excessive nutrient intake), and specific deficiencies like beriberi. Severe forms like starvation and refeeding syndrome are also recognized.

**Who is at risk of malnutrition?**
Malnutrition affects individuals of all ages, including children, due to dietary deficiencies or excesses. Conditions like hypotrophy and rabbit starvation are rare but severe forms.

**What causes malnutrition?**
Malnutrition results from eating too little, too much, or the wrong nutrients, leading to nutritional imbalances. Factors include inadequate food supply, dietary restrictions, or sudden refeeding of malnourished individuals.

**How is malnutrition diagnosed?**
Malnutrition is diagnosed through clinical signs such as objective indications of nutritional deficiencies or excesses, often detected during physical examinations.

**What are the consequences of malnutrition?**
Malnutrition can lead to chronic disorders, growth issues in children, and severe conditions like starvation or refeeding syndrome. It is a significant public health concern.

## Why It Matters
Malnutrition is a critical public health issue affecting millions worldwide, particularly in regions with limited food access. It contributes to chronic diseases, stunted growth in children, and severe health complications. Understanding malnutrition is essential for developing effective nutritional interventions and policies to combat its widespread impact.

## Notable For
- One of the most widespread nutrition disorders globally.
- Includes severe forms like starvation and refeeding syndrome.
- Affects children through conditions like malnutrition in children and hypotrophy.
- Linked to historical figures like Ernst Günther Schenck in Nazi Germany.
- Recognized in medical classifications with specific codes and identifiers.

## Body
### Classification and Types
Malnutrition is a broad category of nutrition disorders, including undernutrition, overnutrition, and specific deficiencies like beriberi. It is further subclassified into conditions such as starvation, refeeding syndrome, and hypotrophy. These conditions result from inadequate or excessive nutrient intake, leading to clinical signs detectable during physical examinations.

### Related Conditions
Malnutrition is related to other medical conditions, including beriberi, a thiamine deficiency disease, and refeeding syndrome, which occurs after sudden refeeding of malnourished individuals. It also encompasses overnutrition, where nutrient intake is oversupplied, and undernutrition, characterized by insufficient nutrient consumption.

### Impact on Children
Malnutrition in children is a significant concern, affecting their growth and development. Conditions like hypotrophy, a chronic nutritional and digestive disorder, and malnutrition in children are specific manifestations of the broader issue.

### Historical Context
Historical figures like Ernst Günther Schenck, a German SS surgeon, were involved in food supply management during Nazi Germany, highlighting the intersection of malnutrition with historical events.

### Medical Codes and Identifiers
Malnutrition is documented in medical systems with various codes and identifiers, including P227 (4138143-9), P486 (D044342), and P493 (269, 269.8). These classifications help in diagnosing and treating the condition.

### Academic and Research Aspects
Malnutrition is studied within the academic discipline of nutrition, with research focusing on its causes, consequences, and interventions. The condition is associated with specific research identifiers like P1417 (science/malnutrition) and P1617 (2040d616-a01a-46f7-add3-477d157b91b5).

### Global Health Significance
Malnutrition remains a global health priority, affecting populations in developing regions with limited food access. Its impact extends to chronic diseases, child development, and severe health crises, necessitating ongoing research and policy development.

### Unique Subtypes
Malnutrition includes rare forms like rabbit starvation, thought to be caused by a near-complete absence of fat in the diet. These subtypes highlight the diverse ways malnutrition can manifest and its potential severity.

### Multilingual Recognition
Malnutrition is recognized in multiple languages, including Bengali (অপুষ্টি), Japanese (栄養失調), and Danish (fejlernæring), reflecting its global relevance and study across linguistic boundaries.

## References

1. Directory of Open Access Journals
2. [Source](https://www.msdmanuals.com/pt/casa/dist%C3%BArbios-nutricionais/desnutri%C3%A7%C3%A3o/desnutri%C3%A7%C3%A3o)
3. [Source](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38309300/)
4. [Source](https://lingualibre.org/wiki/Q636427)
5. Human Phenotype Ontology release 2018-03-08
6. Disease Ontology
7. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
8. Integrated Authority File
9. [Source](http://www.patient.co.uk/patientplus/m.htm)
10. BBC Things
11. BabelNet
12. [Source](https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/classification/icd/icd-10/icd-10-to-meddra-map---june-2023---codes-mapping.xlsx)
13. KBpedia
14. GF WordNet
15. [OpenAlex](https://docs.openalex.org/download-snapshot/snapshot-data-format)
16. [Goal 2: Zero Hunger](https://www.globalgoals.org/goals/2-zero-hunger/)