Malnutrition: Types, Symptoms, and Effective Management

Malnutrition Meaning

Malnutrition is a condition that occurs when the body doesn’t get the right balance of nutrients—either too little or too much—needed to maintain health, growth, and proper body function. It doesn’t only mean “lack of food”; it also refers to poor-quality diets that don’t provide essential vitamins, minerals, proteins, fats, or calories.

What are the Types of Malnutrition?

There are two main types of malnutrition:

1. Undernutrition – when the body doesn’t get enough nutrients, leading to weight loss, stunted growth, muscle wasting, and weakened immunity.
2. Overnutrition – when the body takes in too many calories or unhealthy nutrients (like fats and sugars), resulting in overweight, obesity, and related diseases such as diabetes or heart problems.

Malnutrition can affect anyone, but is especially common in children, pregnant women, and the elderly. It can cause fatigue, poor concentration, delayed healing, and increased vulnerability to infections. The best way to prevent it is through a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, proteins, and whole grains, along with proper healthcare and hygiene.

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Malnutrition?

The signs and symptoms of malnutrition can vary depending on whether it’s due to undernutrition (not getting enough nutrients) or overnutrition (getting too many unhealthy nutrients). However, both forms affect the body’s ability to function properly and recover from illness.

Here are some common signs and symptoms to look out for:

General Symptoms

• Constant tiredness, weakness, or fatigue

• Unintentional weight loss or gain

• Loss of appetite or lack of interest in eating

• Mood changes, irritability, or difficulty concentrating

• Frequent infections or slow recovery from illness

Visible Signs of Undernutrition

• Dry, flaky skin and brittle nails

• Hair loss or thinning hair

• Sunken eyes and pale skin

• Muscle wasting or visible loss of muscle tone

• Swelling (edema) in legs, feet, or face due to protein deficiency

• Stunted growth in children

Signs of Overnutrition

• Excess body fat or obesity

• Breathlessness and reduced stamina

• Joint pain or back pain due to extra weight

• Increased risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease

If you or someone you know shows these symptoms, it’s important to consult a doctor or nutritionist for assessment. Early diagnosis and a proper diet plan can prevent complications and help restore overall health.

What are the Causes of Malnutrition?

The root cause of malnutrition is an imbalance between the nutrients your body needs and what it actually receives. This imbalance can happen for many reasons — not just lack of food, but also poor absorption, illness, or unhealthy lifestyle choices.

Here’s a breakdown of the main causes:

Not eating enough food or skipping meals can deprive your body of essential nutrients like proteins, vitamins, and minerals. This often happens due to poverty, food insecurity, eating disorders, or poor appetite caused by illness.

Even if you eat enough calories, a diet high in processed foods, sugars, and unhealthy fats but low in fruits, vegetables, and proteins can cause micronutrient deficiencies (like iron, vitamin D, or calcium deficiency).

Certain medical conditions — such as celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, chronic diarrhoea, or liver/pancreatic disorders — can prevent your body from properly absorbing nutrients from food.

Long-term illnesses like cancer, HIV/AIDS, diabetes, or tuberculosis can increase your body’s nutritional demands while reducing appetite or nutrient absorption.

Depression, loneliness, substance abuse, or lack of knowledge about nutrition can lead to poor eating habits or irregular meals.

Older adults may experience tooth loss, swallowing difficulties, or a reduced sense of taste, which affect food intake. Children can suffer from malnutrition due to rapid growth and poor weaning practices.

In essence, malnutrition doesn’t only stem from not having enough food — it’s often about not getting the right kind of nutrition or the body’s inability to use it properly.

What are the Treatment Options for Malnutrition?

Hospitals play a crucial role in treating moderate to severe malnutrition, especially in patients who need intensive monitoring, clinical nutrition support, and recovery from underlying diseases. Treatment for malnutrition in a hospital focuses on restoring the body’s nutrient balance, treating underlying causes, and preventing future deficiencies. The approach depends on the severity and cause of malnutrition — whether it’s due to illness, poor diet, or absorption problems.

Here’s how Artemis Hospitals typically manage malnutrition:

Doctors and dietitians first evaluate the patient’s medical history, eating habits, weight, and lab results (like albumin, vitamin, and mineral levels). This helps determine the type and degree of malnutrition (protein-energy, micronutrient, or mixed).

A customised nutrition plan is designed to meet the patient’s calorie and nutrient needs. This can include:

• Oral nutritional supplements for those who can eat but need extra nutrients.
• Enteral feeding (tube feeding) for patients unable to eat but with a working digestive system.

Parenteral nutrition (IV feeding) is used for patients whose digestive system cannot absorb nutrients properly.

Doctors address root issues such as chronic infections, digestive disorders, or hormonal imbalances that contribute to malnutrition.

Targeted supplements (iron, vitamin D, B12, calcium, folate, etc.) are prescribed based on identified deficiencies.

Regular monitoring of weight, muscle mass, and lab values ensures the patient is responding well. The care team adjusts the nutrition plan as recovery progresses.

A team of general physicians, dietitians, nurses, and physiotherapists works together to help the patient regain strength, improve immunity, and prevent relapse.

Why Choose Artemis Hospitals, Gurgaon for Malnutrition Treatment?

Artemis Hospitals offers a strong advantage when it comes to treating malnutrition due to its institutional strengths and integrated clinical services. Its Department of Nutrition & Dietetics is staffed with experienced dietitians who provide both inpatient and outpatient care, including therapeutic diets, nutritional counselling, and discharge planning to ensure consistent recovery.

For complex cases, malnutrition often has underlying medical causes—such as digestive disorders, kidney issues, or metabolic diseases—and Artemis has the necessary multispeciality support. Their Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology, Nephrology, Paediatrics, and Critical Care departments work closely with dietitians and nutritionists to diagnose and treat the root cause of nutritional deficiencies.

Moreover, Artemis offers state-of-the-art diagnostics (lab testing, anthropometric measurements, biochemical assessments) to precisely identify malnutrition type (protein-energy, micronutrient, etc.), monitor progress, and adjust therapy.

Artemis Hospitals also focuses on patient-centred nutrition planning — meal planning options, therapeutic diets, counselling, and even meals prepared by their in-house culinary team designed for patient needs. This ensures not just treatment but comfort and adherence.

Article By Dr. Shabana Parveen
Head Dietetics
Artemis Hospitals

Frequently Asked Questions

What is malnutrition?

Malnutrition is a condition resulting from inadequate or imbalanced nutrient intake, affecting health and growth. This disease affects children, as during their growing years, an improper diet can lead to malnutrition.

What are the four malnutrition types that exist?

The four types of malnutrition are under-nutrition, over-nutrition, micronutrient deficiency, and dietary imbalance. You can consult with an expert dietician and get yourself checked to see in what category your condition falls.

What is the quickest way to address malnutrition?

The fastest way to combat malnutrition is through nutritional supplements and a personalised diet plan created by healthcare professionals. Avoid following any diet plan without proper supervision.

What are the initial symptoms of malnutrition?

Initial symptoms include unintentional weight loss, fatigue, dizziness, changes in appetite, and poor wound healing. When you notice these signs, check with the specialist to find the reason behind these symptoms, as it could be more than malnutrition.

Which age group is at risk of malnutrition?

High-risk groups include the elderly, children, pregnant women, and individuals with chronic health conditions. But if you don’t fall in the age group factor and still have malnutrition symptoms, get yourself checked to find the cause behind your symptoms.

How to avoid malnutrition?

Avoid malnutrition by maintaining a balanced diet, staying hydrated, and consulting healthcare professionals. If you’re someone with a pre-existing disease, you have to follow a specific diet in consideration of your condition.

What are the fees of a dietitian consultant in Gurgaon?

Dietitian consultant fees in Gurgaon may vary depending on the dietitian's experience, reputation, and specialisation. Ensure you seek treatment from the best dietitian in Gurgaon for an accurate diagnosis of malnutrition and improved results.

Which is the nearest hospital for malnutrition treatment?

Artemis Hospitals in Gurgaon provides the best treatment option for patients suffering from malnutrition. You can book an appointment with us by calling +91 98004 00498 or WhatsApp at +91 9800400498.