This is a term used in medical science to refer to a condition of improper or inadequate diet and nutrition. Malnutrition is commonly seen in children and is the greatest contributor to child immortality. Malnutrition is not always due to starvation but it could also be a result of some intestinal disorder. Celiac disease is one such disorder which is triggered by a protein called gluten. Nutrients cannot be absorbed if a person is suffering from cystic fibrosis a condition which affects the pancreas. Lactose intolerance is another medical disorder which can lead to malnutrition in children.

By far the major reason for malnutrition is starvation. Wars and natural disasters render people homeless and poor. The aid from government is not sufficient to cover the expenses for a proper diet. Malnutrition can affect anyone in any age group. However infants and children are at greater risk because of the higher need of nutrients for a healthy growing.

Children suffering from malnutrition also suffer from excessive fatigue. They also experience dizziness often. Continued deprivation of required nutrients can result in a very poor immune system putting the child at a greater risk to contract many other diseases. Low energy and underweight are all symptoms of malnutrition.

Malnutrition in pregnant women can lead to low birth weight babies. Blindness in children is preventable by consuming right quantities of Vitamin A. many children are born blind in under developed countries due to lack of vitamin in the diet of the mother. Vitamin A deficiency during pregnancy also makes babies vulnerable to diseases like diarrhea and measles.

Hunger and malnutrition are related. World over there are problems of hunger and poverty which are major factors leading to malnutrition. A person who goes hungry without having food is not only affected by malnutrition but also his growth becomes stunted.

If malnutrition is diagnosed early enough there is help available. The harmful effects of malnutrition can be completely reversed if it is in the early stages. If malnutrition is an aftermath of any disease then a medical practitioner can prescribe a cure for it. When it is the result of poor and deficient diet, the only cure is to have a proper, balanced diet.

There is no single solution to malnutrition arising out of hunger and poverty. Some argue that the food shortage has resulted because of a significant increase in population and the supplies do not meet the demand. Hence the rich and mighty take away the major share of food leaving the poor hungry and under nourished. The solution proposed to overcome this to curtail the population growth world wide.

Another school of thought preaches that the social and economic factors contribute to this disparity in distribution of food. Declining wages, unemployment and rising food prices lead to malnutrition rather than the increase in population.

There are various organizations working without any profit to help free children from malnutrition. One such policy is to give all humanitarian aids in the form of food to under developing countries. Some of the developed countries have food stock in excess and these are diverted to the needy countries. There are also various medical organizations that work towards educating people on the nutritional values of food. Mass production of foods that supplement the required nutrition has been encouraged and many under developed countries have benefited by this initiative.

The new generation theory promotes such countries to turn towards and export oriented economy to build a self sustaining economy. By this people will have the buying power and food as such will not become a shortage. We have a long way to go to realize this in reality. Till then we need to combat malnutrition with all humanitarian help provided.