Child and adult malnutrition: critical warning signs and potential health hazards stemming from prolonged nutritional deficiencies
David Janitzek
2026-03-18
4 min. read
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While excessive body weight—resulting from poor dietary choices and sedentary lifestyles—remains the predominant nutritional concern in highly developed societies, the concurrent presence of the opposite issue, malnutrition, must not be disregarded. Though less conspicuous, this condition is linked to severe health complications, making the identification of early warning signals critically important. Only through awareness of its characteristic symptoms can the dangerous consequences of prolonged deficiencies in essential nutrients be prevented, affecting both children and adults alike.
The malnutrition
It is estimated that there are currently 815 million undernourished people in the world. This problem is most common in third world countries, but it also affects developing countries. Malnutrition is also the most common cause of food shortages, impaired absorption or digestion of food, increased demand for or excessive loss of these compounds. It is said that there is a decrease in the demand of up to 160 million people under the age of 5 years. Pregnancy is a low-fat pregnancy. The problem occurs in up to 40% of breastfeeding patients and elderly people. However, it is still a serious problem. There are three types of clinical problems, namely: insufficient alcohol intake, reduced blood sugar intake and reduced blood pressure, increased body weight, increased blood pressure and increased blood sugar levels, but there are also three major health problems, such as low blood sugar, high blood sugar and high blood pressure.
Malnutrition is a symptom
The first stage of malnutrition is characterized by a decrease in the body's biochemical and physiological processes. It is during the third stage of development that the body loses nutrients and increases its need for these compounds. During the second stage, the undernourishment occurs when the body depletes the reserves of nutrients, vitamins and minerals stored in it. The second stage is characterised by a reduction in the biochemistry and physiology of the body. It occurs during the first phase of development. The first symptoms may indicate a problem.
The effects of malnutrition
Consequences of malnutrition development can be primary or secondary. Primary complications include: weight loss, reduced muscle mass, decreased muscle strength, reduced psychomotor performance, reduced protein concentrations; reduced cellular and humoral resistance; development of anemia, water-electrolyte disorder; digestive and absorption disorders, impaired intestinal peristalsis; bradycardia, reduced congestive heart rate, reduced blood pressure; loss of respiratory muscle, increased risk of heart failure or stroke; increased risk for stroke, stroke, prolonged polycystic ovary syndrome; increased cost of liver disease; increased incidence of kidney disease; reduced risk of liver injury; increased intravenous disease; untreated liver disease and kidney failure; increased exposure to osteoporosis; increased excess liver function; increased liver and liver cancer; increased costs of liver cancer and liver disease.
Child malnutrition
In Poland, data on the incidence of malnutrition among children are not unambiguous. Often it is the result of the neglect of parents in relation to the lack of nutrition in the family. Among such irregularities is the frequent intake of developed products, the deficiency of nutrients in the diet, which can also lead to the development of poor nutritional parameters, but it is also important to note that it is not a problem for pregnant women and adolescents to be diagnosed with malnutritional deficiencies.
