AN ASSESSMENT OF THE FACTORS RESPONSIBLE FOR MALNUTRITION AND ITS IMPACT ON CHILDREN IN OVIA NORTH EAST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF EDO STATE

BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY

The word "malnutrition" is often used in reference to underdeveloped and developing nations. Malnutrition has been understood in a variety of ways; for instance, Ajao, (2022) considers malnutrition to be the condition that occurs when a person's diet is lacking in certain important dietary components. According to the 18th edition of Billies Nurses Dictionary, malnutrition is defined as the situation in which there is an inadequate amount of nourishment. Malnutrition is a disorder that may develop in a person when their body is not receiving the required amount of nutrients. The disease may be brought on by factors such as a poor diet or one that is unbalanced, issues with digestion or absorption, or even other medical disorders (Akparibo, 2022).

Malnutrition is a general term for a medical condition that is caused by an improper or insufficient diet. While the term "malnutrition" is most commonly used to refer to "under nutrition," which is the result of inadequate consumption or excessive loss of nutrients, the term can also encompass "over nutrition," which is the result of either overeating or excessive intake of particular nutrients. A person will develop malnutrition if they go for a long length of time without consuming the nutrients that make up a balanced diet in the quantity or quality that is considered optimal for their body. Malnutrition is a condition that occurs when individuals eat, but they do not consume the adequate amount of food. A condition that occurs when there is an insufficient amount of any one of the necessary classes of food, such as carbs, fat, protein, etc., or an excessive amount of that class. A bodily system need all six categories of food to be consumed in the appropriate amounts for it to achieve its goals of development, good health, and enough energy levels, as well as to maintain a healthy state and avoid sickness. Individuals will suffer negative effects as a result of the absence of this. The development of hunger illness and infection is possible after a protracted time of inadequate nourishment. According to Akombi (2021), malnutrition may be caused by a number of different circumstances. To begin, there is a possibility that insufficient and appropriate food will not be accessible since there will not be enough agricultural products. Malnutrition is a disorder that occurs when the body does not get an adequate quantity of the vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that it requires in order to keep its tissues and organs functioning normally. This may lead to a number of serious health problems. It's possible that someone with malnutrition won't display any symptoms at all. However, in rare instances, it may be so severe that the harm done is irreparable even if the person lives. This is despite the fact that the individual may be in good physical health.

Malnutrition is still a big concern all throughout the world, particularly among youngsters who are unable to provide for themselves in a sufficient manner. Conditions that lead to epidemics of malnutrition and famine are exacerbated by factors such as poverty, natural catastrophes, political unrest, and armed conflict. The symptoms of any malnutrition-related condition might be rather different from one another. This problem is not limited to impoverished nations. However, some typical symptoms include weariness, disorientation, impaired immunological response, and weight loss (Ali , 2022).

People who are malnourished almost always either do not consume enough calories or consume a diet that is deficient in proteins, vitamins, or trace minerals. This is the most prevalent cause of malnutrition. Malnutrition may lead to a variety of health complications, some of which are known as deficiency disorders. These conditions include kwashiorkor, marasmus, anemia, and others.

According to Amosu (2022), malnutrition is defined as a state of impaired functional ability or deficient structural integrity or development that is brought about as a result of a discrepancy between the supply of essential nutrients to the body tissues and the specific biological demand for them. [Citation needed] Malnutrition may present itself clinically and subclinically in a variety of ways, and its causes are just as diverse. Primary malnutrition is the result of insufficient intake of essential nutrients as a result of a lack of food as a result of crop failure, war or poverty, economic depression, and a host of other factors, many of which are concerned with the external environment. Primary malnutrition can be prevented by ensuring adequate intake of essential nutrients (Annette , 2022).

There is also the issue of "over nutrition," which refers to the consumption of an excessive amount of food, which affects a sizable section of the population and has been linked to the development of obesity as well as other diseases that are often associated with civilization.

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