What is malnutrition? Explain some nutrition deficiency diseases.

Malnutrition is absence of one/ more nutrients from the food in desired amounts. Malnutrition can occur either because of presence of low calories/ proteins/ calories- proteins. Two most common nutrition deficiency diseases are

a) Kwashiorkor: It is caused due to intake of diet that contains either low/ no protein. The disease is characterized by poor muscle development, swollen body, swollen stomach, diarrhea and dry skin.

b) Marasmus: It is cause by the intake of diet containing low amounts of proteins and calories. The disease is characterized by dry skin, lean and weak body, visible ribs, and less developed muscles.