MedDroid
Ask MedDroid
Malnutrition
Malnutrition is a lack of enough energy, protein or nutrients for good health. It can affect children and adults, especially with illness, poverty or poor appetite.
Causes & risk factors
- Not eating enough or an unbalanced diet
- Long-term illness or infections
- Poor appetite in older age or during illness
- Problems with digestion or absorption
- Poverty and food insecurity
Common symptoms
- Weight loss
- Tiredness and weakness
- Muscle wasting
- Poor wound healing and frequent infections
- Poor growth in children
- Swelling (in severe protein deficiency)
Tests & diagnosis
- Weight, height and BMI (or growth charts in children)
- CBC
- Albumin
- Vitamin B12
- Vitamin D
- Iron studies
Treatment & management
- A balanced, calorie- and protein-rich diet
- Correcting specific vitamin and mineral deficiencies
- Small, frequent, nourishing meals
- Treating any underlying illness
- Nutritional supplements or specialist feeding support when needed
When to see a doctor urgently
- Ongoing unexplained weight loss
- A child not growing or gaining weight
- Weakness, frequent infections or poor healing
- Swelling with poor intake (severe protein deficiency)
Frequently asked questions
Can someone be overweight and malnourished?
Yes. Malnutrition means lacking the right nutrients, so a person can be overweight yet short of vitamins, minerals or protein from a poor-quality diet.
How is malnutrition treated?
By gradually restoring a balanced, energy- and protein-rich diet, correcting specific deficiencies, and treating the underlying cause, sometimes with supplements.
Explore more
Sources & further reading
- World Health Organization (WHO)
- MedlinePlus — U.S. National Library of Medicine
- Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, India
- Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
Reviewed by Dr. Sanjay Anbu, MBBS. MedDroid is an AI medical assistant and can make mistakes. It provides general health information, not a diagnosis or medical advice — always consult a qualified clinician. In an emergency, contact your local emergency number immediately.