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Malnutrition is a deficiency or toxicity in at least one macronutrient or micronutrient. The body requires a certain level of macronutrients and micronutrients to function effectively. Macronutrients are carbohydrates, protein and fat and are required to give the body energy. Micronutrients consist of vitamins and minerals that are required in small amounts for good health. Deficiency or toxicity in either macronutrients or micronutrients can lead to malnutrition.
When a person is malnourished, the body attempts to compensate for the deficiency. In cases of undernutrition, the body uses up stores of nutrients before drawing upon other sources such as muscle tissue and essential body fat. Obesity can be a form of malnutrition (overnutrition) because the body struggles to function effectively with excess body fat, high cholesterol levels and gross imbalances in nutrients.
Malnutrition is best known as a major problem affecting developing countries and areas affected by famine or war. It is the major cause of death for children under the age of 5 throughout the world. In the United States, it is difficult to estimate the number of people affected by malnutrition. Certain types of malnutrition such as obesity and protein-energy malnutrition are becoming more common, especially among the poor and the elderly.
Malnutrition in developed countries is more common in:
The effects of malnutrition can differ in type and severity depending on the underlying cause. One of the most prevalent effects of malnutrition is a decrease in immune function. This can often cause other conditions such as respiratory infections, viral diseases and gastroenteritis. These infections can lead to changes in metabolic function and a decrease in appetite, which perpetuates the problem of malnutrition. If left untreated, malnutrition can lead to physical and mental disability, an increased risk of other illness and an increased risk of death. | 
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