The Causes of Malnutrition and Steps You Can Take to Prevent It

The word "malnutrition" probably brings to mind a child who looks too thin or weak. But it can also affect children who eat three full meals a day or those who appear "malusog." News flash: the causes of malnutrition aren’t only about how much a child eats but what they eat.

Feeling surprised or a bit confused? Don't worry—it's not just you. Many parents don’t realize how easy it is for children to miss out on key nutrients, even with a full plate. If you want to protect your child’s health and development, it helps to understand the different ways malnutrition can show up. Here’s a handy guide to help you.

What Is Malnutrition

Malnutrition happens when a child doesn't receive the right kind and amount of nutrients. As a result, it delays a child's growth and puts them at risk for serious health conditions.

This lack of proper nutrition can manifest in three ways, which experts refer to as the "triple burden of malnutrition."

• Undernutrition: Kids don’t get enough calories or other essential nutrients, such as protein. 
• Micronutrient deficiency: Children lack essential vitamins and minerals.
• Overnutrition: Kids consume excessive calories, leading to overweight or obesity.

Keep in mind that not all malnutrition appears the same. Some children may be underweight or shorter than other kids of the same age. Others may seem healthy on the outside but are missing vital nutrients.

These different types of malnutrition can have varying causes, signs, and health consequences on a child's health.

Undernutrition: When the Body Isn’t Getting Enough

Undernutrition, which is when a child lacks or doesn't get enough nutrients, is what you likely think of first when you hear malnutrition. Undernutrition shows up in three different forms:

• Wasting: A child's weight is too low for their height.
• Stunted growth: A child is too short for their age.
• Underweight: A child weighs too little for their age. They can also be stunted, wasted, or both.

Causes of undernutrition

Nutrition experts categorize undernutrition into two types: acute and chronic. Acute undernutrition happens when there's a sudden food shortage or sickness, while chronic undernutrition comes from insufficient nutrient intake over a long period.

Wasting falls under the acute category. A young child experiencing wasting can mean they recently haven't had enough to eat and/or they're suffering from an illness.

Being underweight can be acute or chronic, depending on the cause. It may mean someone is experiencing a food shortage (acute) or they haven't been getting enough nutrition for a while (chronic).

Stunting is a sign of chronic undernutrition. It occurs when someone hasn't received enough nutrients or healthcare over time.

Consequences of undernutrition

Children who don’t get enough nutrition become much more vulnerable to sickness and disease, according to the World Health Organization. Severe undernutrition can lead to conditions, such as kwashiorkor and marasmus, which can cause lasting issues with brain development and growth if left untreated.

Kwashiorkor is a condition that happens when a child doesn't get enough protein in their diet. It's common in developing countries where the diet is high in starch. Children with kwashiorkor may exhibit swollen bellies, thin limbs, and changes in their skin and hair.

Marasmus is a severe form of malnutrition that happens when a child doesn’t get enough calories from food to stay healthy. Kids with marasmus appear extremely thin and lacking in body fat or muscle.

Micronutrient Deficiency: The Hidden Hunger

Research shows the causes of malnutrition in children often come down to their diet missing a variety of food groups.

Micronutrient deficiency happens when kids aren't getting enough essential vitamins and minerals. It's also known as "hidden hunger" because its effects may not be immediately apparent.

Common micronutrient deficiencies

A UNICEF nutrition consortium reports the following are some of the most common micronutrient deficiencies among children aged 6 to 23 months in the Philippines:

• Vitamin A: Needed for vision, the immune system, and growth and development
• Iron: Plays a role in protein production that supports red blood cell function and provides oxygen to muscles   
• Calcium: Helps maintain strong bones and assists nerves in carrying messages between the brain and every part of your body 
• Zinc: Helps make DNA and proteins and fights off bacteria and viruses  

Causes of micronutrient deficiency

One major cause of malnutrition is poor diet quality during the first two years of life. While 73% of kids aged 6 to 23 months eat fruits and vegetables, the UNICEF report data shows:

• Only 63% ate nutrient-rich foods like eggs, meat, or fish.
• Only 57% of children aged 12–23 months received breast milk, which provides essential nutrients.
• Less than half (47%) consume a diverse diet or foods from five different food groups daily.

Consequences of micronutrient deficiency

Each micronutrient deficiency can increase a child's risk of infections and diseases with potential long-term health consequences. For example, a lack of zinc can cause diarrhea and lead to slow growth in babies and children, while vitamin A deficiency can lead to blindness.

Iron deficiency can cause anemia, and it turns out Filipino babies 6 months and under a year are the most affected, according to the Expanded National Nutrition Survey from the Department of Science and Technology – Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI).

Overnutrition: Too Much, But Not the Right Kind

Overnutrition refers to eating more calories than what the body actually needs, which can lead to being overweight and obese. FNRI's Nutrition Survey found that almost one in 10 kids aged 5 to 10 and 10 to 19 are considered overweight.

Causes of overnutrition

The cause of overnutrition in Filipino children has been linked to the frequent consumption of junk food, sugary drinks, and fast food. These pack a ton of calories but lack the essential nutrients kids really need.

At the same time, many children are leading increasingly sedentary lifestyles, spending more time on screens and less time engaging in physical activity.

However, being overweight or obese isn't just about overeating or exercising too little. Other factors can also play a role, such as genetics, health issues, and sleep quality. All of these can influence your child's eating patterns and potentially lead to weight gain.

Consequences of overnutrition

All of these habits combined can lead to unhealthy weight gain and increase the risk of long-term health problems. Children who are overweight or obese are more prone to non-communicable diseases, such as diabetes, cancer, and heart failure.

Keep in mind that children who are overweight and obese are likely to stay that way or continue to have weight issues into adulthood.

How to Prevent Malnourishment at Home

Limit sugary snacks and drinks for your kids by making your own! 

Preventing malnutrition doesn’t require supplements (unless your pediatrician prescribes them) or complicated meal plans. You just need to know and provide the right balance of nutrients and practice habits that support your child’s healthy growth.

Dr. Sylvia C. Estrada, FPP, offers a great tip, the "5-2-1-0" guideline, for embracing a healthier lifestyle. The reminder means:

• Aim for 5 servings of fruits and vegetables each day (2 servings of vegetables and 3 servings of fruit)
• Limit your recreational screen time to under 2 hours daily.
• Engage in at least 1 hour of physical activity or outdoor play each day.
• Do zero intake of sugary drinks.

Along with Dr. Estrada's suggestions, the following tips can help you create habits that ensure your child receives proper nutrition and meets their growth milestones.

• Apply these healthy meal planning basics to check if you're filling nutrient gaps.
• Monitor your child's physical development with the help of this growth chart calculator. 
• Check how your child's BMI stacks up against his growth patterns with this BMI calculator.
• Use fortified foods (like iodized salt or iron-fortified rice) if available.
• Schedule regular checkups for your child and their pediatrician.

Malnutrition Is Preventable

Whether the cause of malnutrition is missing out on essential nutrients or getting too many calories, all of its forms can affect your child's health and future.

The bright side? You can prevent it with practical and mindful choices at home. You don’t have to tackle this on your own. Work with your pediatrician to help you make more informed decisions and be more confident with what you're feeding your child.

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