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The Daily Insight

What is the medical term for poor nutrition?

Author

Emily Wong

Updated on April 29, 2026

What is the medical term for poor nutrition?

Malnutrition is the condition that develops when the body is deprived of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients it needs to maintain healthy tissues and organ function. Malnutrition occurs in people who are either undernourished or overnourished.

What 5 diseases are related to nutrition?

5 Diseases Nutrition Can Help Prevent

  • Cardiovascular disease. According to The Heart Foundation, cardiovascular disease claims more lives than all forms of cancer combined.
  • Cancer. Certain types of cancer can be prevented with the proper diet.
  • Osteoporosis.
  • Obesity.
  • Diabetes.

What is an example of a disease that can be caused by poor nutrition?

The Harmful Effects of Poor Nutrition In the United States, 19% of young people aged 2 to 19 years and 40% of adults have obesity, which can put them at risk for heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers. In addition, obesity costs the US health care system $147 billion a year.

What diseases are related to malnutrition?

The following is a list of diseases caused by malnutrition:

  • Kwashiorkor. This is one of the most acute malnutrition of proteins in the world.
  • Marasmus. This disease is caused by the very severe lack of protein and calories.
  • Anemia. The most common illness which is caused by malnutrition.
  • Mumps.
  • Vitamin Deficiency.

How many types of malnutrition diseases are there?

There are two major types of malnutrition:

  • Protein-energy malnutrition – resulting from deficiencies in any or all nutrients.
  • Micronutrient deficiency diseases – resulting from a deficiency of specific micronutrients.

What causes poor nutrition?

What Causes Poor Nutrition? Poor eating habits include under- or over-eating, not having enough of the healthy foods we need each day, or consuming too many types of food and drink, which are low in fibre or high in fat, salt and/or sugar.

What are some nutritional diseases?

These include, but are not limited to, Protein Energy Malnutrition, Scurvy, Rickets, Beriberi, Hypocalcemia, Osteomalacia, Vitamin K Deficiency, Pellagra, Xerophthalmia, and Iron Deficiency.

What are 4 diet related diseases?

Indeed, diet-related chronic diseases – such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, dental disease, and osteoporosis – are the most common cause of death in the world and present a great burden for society.

How many diseases are caused by poor nutrition?

Unhealthy diet contributes to approximately 678,000 deaths each year in the U.S., due to nutrition- and obesity-related diseases, such as heart disease, cancer, and type 2 diabetes. In the last 30 years, obesity rates have doubled in adults, tripled in children, and quadrupled in adolescents.

What are the top 4 diet related diseases?

What are the types of nutritional diseases?

Nutritional Disorders

  • Carbohydrate Malabsorption.
  • Disorders of Amino Acid Absorption.
  • Disorders of Fat Digestion.
  • Disorders of Metal Absorption.
  • Disorders of Protein Digestion.
  • Disorders of Vitamin Absorption.
  • Growth Problems.
  • Iron Deficiency Anemia.