Nursing Diverse Aspects of Malnutrition

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Henry

Malnutrition is a global health issue that has several forms that impacts nearly 2.5 billion adults and nearly 250 million children (WHO, 2021). Many think that malnutrition is only undernutrition or inadequate vitamins and minerals, but overweight and obesity are also forms of malnutrition. Malnutrition is a deficiency, excess, or imbalance of an individual’s consumption of energy and nutrients. WHO (2021) categorizes malnutrition into 3 groups: undernutrition, micronutrient-related malnutrition, and overweight/obesity. Malnutrition impacts the public health care systems in many ways. Overweight and obesity contribute to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, certain cancers, and cardiovascular disease (CDC, 2022). Undernutrition impacts health care systems differently in that children are much more vulnerable to disease and mortality (WHO, 2021). Children who suffer from wasting, stunting, are underweight, or are deficient in vitamins and minerals also face the possibility of inadequate cognitive development. WHO (2021) states that health care systems and governments can work collaboratively to address this issue by developing resilient food systems made of healthy diets, providing education for all communities, enacting social protection for those who are vulnerable, and aligning health care systems to the nutritional needs of the community. All individuals deserve essential nutrition to develop and thrive. Government leaders have the responsibility to hold one another accountable and work together to change the circumstances of this global health issue.