2. CHRONIC MALNUTRITION
• Malnutrition is defined as a pathological state
caused due to a relative or absolute deficiency
(or excess) of one or more nutrients.
• Chronic malnutrition is defined as a form of
growth failure that causes both physical and
cognitive delays in growth and development.
3. Causes of malnutrition
• Immediate determinants: They work at the individual level and
include low birth weight, illnesses and inadequate dietary intake
• Underlying determinants: The immediate determinants are in turn
influenced by three household determinants namely food , health
and care.
• Basic determinants: Finally the underlying determinants are
influenced by the basic determinants. These include the
socioeconomic status and educational qualification of families ,
women empowerment ,cultural taboos regarding food and health ,
access to safe water and sanitation etc…
4.
5. Indicator Interpretation Comment
Stunting Low height for age Indicator of chronic
malnutrition(result of
prolonged food deprivation
and / or illness or disease
Wasting Low weight for height Acute malnutrition (result of
more recent food deficit or
illness)
Under weight Low weight for age Combined indicator
6.
7.
8. Clinical signs of malnutrition
• Hairs
• Eye
• Lips
• Tongue
• Gums
• Skin
• Nails etc…
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13. Preventive and social measures
Since malnutrition is the outcome of several factors the problem can
only be solved by taking actions simultaneously at various levels:
• Family level
• Community level
• National level
