You know how there are lots of different foods, and they all have different nutrients in them? Some foods have lots of sugar, some have lots of protein, some have lots of vitamins and well, as we all know, when we eat different foods, our bodies use those nutrients to stay healthy and grow. But sometimes, if we don’t eat enough of the right foods, we can get something called a “nutritional disorder.”
What Are Nutritional Disorders?
Nutrition disorders happen when your body doesn’t get the right nutrients from food, either because you’re not eating enough, eating too much, or eating the wrong types of food. Nutrients are like fuel for your body, and without the right amount, your body can’t work properly.
One common problem is when someone doesn’t get enough food to meet their body needs. Another problem is when there’s a long-term lack or even too much of specific nutrients like vitamins, proteins, or minerals.
Basically, to stay healthy, you need a good balance of all the right nutrients. Without that balance, your body can’t grow, develop, or function the way it’s supposed to.
The Key Takeaways.
- Nutrition disorders happen when your body doesn’t get enough or gets too much of the nutrients it needs, which can cause symptoms like tiredness, weight loss, or hair loss.
- To stay healthy, you need to eat a balanced diet with foods like vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, and fish.
- If someone has a deficiency, health issue, or even a surgery, they might need extra supplements or special foods to help their body get back on track.
Types of Nutritional Disorders.
- Undernutrition – means not eating enough food or missing important nutrients. It can cause stunted growth (being shorter than normal), losing too much weight, and nutrient deficiencies like iodine, vitamin A and iron deficiency.
- Overnutrition – eating too much. It can lead to obesity and sugar issues like diabetes or even a heart disease.
- Obesity – happens when you eat more calories than your body needs. It can lead to issues like high blood pressure, diabetes, and even some cancers.
- Anorexia Nervosa – eating very little and losing too much weight.
- Bulimia Nervosa – eating a lot and then trying to “undo” it by vomiting or over-exercising.
- Marasmus – severe weight loss and muscle loss from not eating enough.
- Kwashiorkor – caused by not getting enough protein, leading to a swollen belly and other serious issues.
- Phenylketonuria (PKU) – a rare genetic disorder where the body can’t break down a certain amino acid, which can cause brain damage if not treated.
Causes Of Nutritional Disorders.
Your Lifestyle and Eating Habits.
Eating unhealthy, unbalanced meals or too much processed food can cause your body to either miss out on important nutrients or get too much of the wrong ones. Skipping meals or following extreme diets can also mess up your nutrition. Also, not getting enough exercise, sedentary living, drinking too much alcohol, or smoking can all affect how your body uses nutrients, leading to nutritional disorders.
Socioeconomic Factors.
Some people can’t afford healthy food or don’t have access to it because of where they live or their financial situation. This is especially common in poorer areas or developing countries, and it can lead to malnutrition.
Mental Struggles.
Mental health struggles like stress, anxiety, or depression can lead to unhealthy eating habits, like overeating or not eating enough. This can harm your nutrition and total health.
Your Genes.
Some people have inherited conditions like sickle cell anemia, phenylketonuria, hemochromatosis and cystic fibrosis that affect how their bodies process certain nutrients.
Chronic Diseases.
Certain health problems, like cancer, Crohn’s disease, or kidney disease, can affect how your body absorbs nutrients or uses them properly, causing nutrient imbalances.
Symptoms Of A Nutritional Disorder.
- Fatigue.
- Dry/frizzy hair.
- Pale skin.
- Swelling (edema).
- Depression.
- Trouble focusing.
- Hair loss.
- Weight loss.
- Food obsession.
- Growth problems.
- Irritability.
- Muscle wasting.
- Mouth ulcers/sores.
- Slow wound healing.
- Rash.
- Anorexia.
- Frequent infections.
- Dry/irritated skin.
How Are Nutritional Disorders Treated?
The way to fix a nutritional disorder depends on what’s causing it and how serious it is. Most of the time, the symptoms go away when you start eating the right foods or supplements that give your body the nutrients it’s missing.
For example:
- If someone has anemia (not enough iron in their blood), they can eat more foods like meat, eggs, chicken, green veggies, and grains that have iron.
- For minor problems, just changing your eating habits can be enough to help your body recover.
In more serious cases, a doctor would recommend specific treatments like medication or even tube feeding but usually, eating better is the first step to feeling healthy again.
How Can I Prevent Nutritional Disorders?
According to Dr. Thomas A. Borland, “the best way to avoid nutritional disorders is to eat a variety of healthy foods. Make sure to eat green leafy vegetables, orange and red fruits and veggies, nuts, seeds, beans, whole grains, fatty fish, egg yolks, and low-fat dairy in your meals. Some people might also need extra vitamins or supplements. For example, pregnant women need more folic acid to help their baby grow, and people who have had weight-loss surgery often need supplements because their bodies can’t absorb enough nutrients. If you’re unsure, talk to a doctor or nutritionist to find out what’s best for you.”
