Health encyclopaedia

Health encyclopaedia - Alphabetical Topic List

Malnutrition

Nutrients are essential dietary factors, such as carbohydrates, proteins, certain fats, vitamins and minerals. Malnutrition is a diet that does not contain sufficient nutrients to maintain normal health. It is rare in the United Kingdom, and is usually a result of poor social conditions, alcoholism, eating disorders or other diseases rather than poor diet alone, though this is still seen occasionally.

In the developing world, malnutrition is often caused by failure of the food supply for environmental or economic reasons.

For malnutrition caused by the failure of the body to absorb nutrients, see the article on Malabsorption.

Take the 5-a-day fruit and veg test

• Symptoms
• Causes
• Diagnosis
• Prevention
• Complications
• Treatment

• Macular degenerationMagnesium testMalariaMale contraceptive pillMalignant melanomaMalnutritionMarfan syndromeMastectomyMastitisMénière’s diseaseMeaslesMeningitisMenopauseMental healthMental health servicesMental health specialist servicesMicroalbumin testMigraineMiscarriageMMRMobile phone safetyMolesMolluscum contagiosumMorning sicknessMotor neurone diseaseMouth ulcerMRI scanMRSAMucositisMultiple myelomaMultiple sclerosisMumpsMunchausen’s syndromeMuscular dystrophyMyasthenia gravis

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