(Faza I)

Project
Stage I
(September-December)
Field: Natural Sciences
Subject: Biology
Theme: “Te jetuarit shendetshem”
Topic: Illness caused by malnutrition
Worked by: Mude Zuna
Leortina Leka
Eisida Sallaku
Ilenia Cami
Rajmond Marinaj
Arkidio Dobra
Class: 10A

Illness caused by malnutrition

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 Explaning malnutrition and its diagnosis {Arkidio Dobra}

 Causes of malnutrition {Ilenia Cami}
 How does malnutrition affect the body? (symptoms) {Rajmond Marinaj}
 Physical illness caused by malnutrition {Leortina Leka}
 Psychological effects of malnutrition {Mude Zuna}
 Prevention and treatment of malnutrition {Eisida Sallaku}

Learning Outcomes
At the end of this project students posses the ability to:
1. Describe the fundamental concepts, principles, theories and terminology used in
explaining the phenomenon of malnutrition.
2. Plan and develop a research based on this topic.
3. Analyse the causes of malnutrition, its effect on physical and mental health.
4. Demonstrate critical reflection based on knowledge and skills gained.
5. Apply the principles and practices of having a healthy lifestyle in order to
prevent malnutrition etc.

Explaining malnutrition and its diagnosis – Arkidio Dobra

Malnutrition is a serious condition that happens when your diet does not contain the
right amount of nutrients. A balanced diet should provide enough nutrients such as
calories, protein and vitamins, to keep you healthy. Without this, you may not be
getting all the nutrients you need and this can lead to malnutrition.

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It means "poor nutrition" and can refer to:

1. undernutrition – not getting enough nutrients
2. overnutrition – getting more nutrients than needed.
Malnutrition refers to deficiencies, excesses, or imbalances in a person’s intake of
energy and/or nutrients. It includes undernutrition as said above (wasting, stunting,
underweight), inadequate vitamins or minerals, overweight, obesity, and resulting diet-
related noncommunicable diseases.

1.9 billion adults are overweight or obese, while 462 million are
underweight.
The term malnutrition addresses 3 broad groups of conditions:

1. undernutrition, which includes wasting (low weight-for-height), stunting (low

height-for-age) and underweight (low weight-for-age);
2. micronutrient-related malnutrition, which includes micronutrient deficiencies (a
lack of important vitamins and minerals) or micronutrient excess; and
3. overweight, obesity and diet-related noncommunicable diseases (such as heart
disease, stroke, diabetes and some cancers).

Diagnosis of malnutrition
Physical observation and a history of your diet and health conditions are often
enough to diagnose protein-energy undernutrition or overnutrition. Healthcare
providers may measure your BMI or measure a child's arm circumference to help
understand the extent of the problem. Tools that are used to identify malnutrition
include weight loss and body mass index (BMI) charts, blood tests for micronutrient
status and physical exams.

Causes of malnutrition – Ilenia Cami

Main causes of malnutrition include:
a. unsuitable dietary choices
b. having a low income, poverty
c. difficulty obtaining food, reduced mobility

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d. various physical and mental health conditions

e. alcohol and drug abuse
Malnutrition can also be caused by physical issues, social issues and ageing.
Physical issues can also contribute to malnutrition. For example:
 if your teeth are in a poor condition, if your dentures do not fit properly, or if you
have a sore mouth, eating can be difficult or painful
 you may lose your appetite as a result of losing your sense of smell and taste
 you may have a physical disability or other impairment that makes it difficult for
you to cook or shop for food yourself.
Ageing
Older adults are particularly vulnerable to malnutrition because of physical,
psychological and social factors, and because the risk of having one or more medical
conditions is higher.

When a person has too little food, a limited diet, or a condition:

Lack of vitamin A-Around the world, many children develop vision problems.
Lack of vitamin C- Lack of vitamin C can result in scurvy.
Scurvy can develop if a person does not have amvaried diet with plenty of fruits and
vegetables. Fresh, frozen, and canned fruits and vegetables all contain vitamin C.

How does malnutrition affect affect the body? {symptoms} –

Rajmond Marinaj
Malnutrition can be difficult to recognise and can happen very gradually, which can
make it very difficult to spot in the early stages.
Common signs and symptoms to watch out for include:
 loss of appetite and lack of interest in food and/or fluids
 unplanned weight loss – clothing, rings, watches or dentures may become loose
 tiredness or low energy levels

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 reduced ability to perform everyday tasks – for example, showering, getting

dressed or cooking
 reduced muscle strength – for example, not being able to walk as far or as fast as
usual
 changes in mood – malnutrition can be associated with lethargy and depression
 poor concentration
 poor growth in children
 increased risk of infection, recurrent infections, taking longer to recover and
poor wound healing
 difficulty keeping warm
 dizziness

Physical illness caused by malnutrition – Leortina Leka

Malnutrition refers to getting too little or too much of certain nutrients. It can lead to
serious health issues, including stunted growth, eye problems, diabetes and heart
disease.
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.

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Malnutrition can result in unplanned weight loss, a low body mass index (BMI) and
vitamin and mineral deficiencies. This can leave you feeling tired, weak and affect your
ability to recover from an illness.
Consequences of malnutrition
 Muscle function. Weight loss due to depletion of fat and muscle mass, including
organ mass, is often the most obvious sign of malnutrition.
 Cardio-respiratory function.
 Gastrointestinal function.
 Immunity and wound healing.
Globally in 2020, 149 million children under 5 were estimated to be stunted (too short
for age), 45 million were estimated to be wasted (too thin for height), and 38.9 million
were overweight or obese.
Around 45% of deaths among children under 5 years of age are linked to
undernutrition. These mostly occur in low- and middle-income countries. At the same
time, in these same countries, rates of childhood overweight and obesity are rising.
The developmental, economic, social, and medical impacts of the global burden of
malnutrition are serious and lasting, for individuals and their families, for communities
and for countries.
Overweight and obesity result from an imbalance between energy consumed (too
much) and energy expended (too little). Globally, people are consuming foods and
drinks that are more energy-dense (high in sugars and fats), and engaging in less
physical activity.
Diet-related noncommunicable diseases
Diet-related noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) include cardiovascular diseases (such
as heart attacks and stroke, and often linked with high blood pressure), certain cancers,
and diabetes. Unhealthy diets and poor nutrition are among the top risk factors for these
diseases globally.

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Psychological effects of malnutrition - Mude Zuna

The functional consequences of such malnutrition include not only physical changes
but also psychological changes such as depression, anxiety, irritability, apathy, poor
sleep pattern and loss of concentration .
Malnutrition on mental development
Structurally malnutrition results in tissue damage, growth retardation, disorderly
differentiation, reduction in synapses and synaptic neurotransmitters, delayed
myelination and reduced overall development of dendritic arborization of the
developing brain.
Malnutrition may also be associated with micronutrient deficiencies that adversely
affect mental health. Inadequate intake of nutrients and energy may lead to deficiency
of folic acid, thiamine or cobalamin which might worsen mental health symptoms.

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The malnourished older adults had more than three times higher risk
of having depression.
While the relationship is complex, it is accepted that if one lives in poverty, mental
illness is more likely, and living in poverty can make recovery more difficult.

But, let’s consider the biological implications of food poverty upon brain
development. Within our early development in utero – our neurons migrate from the
germinal area to form cortical layers within our central nervous system. This
process, referred to as radial glial migration, is essential to create effective, and
functional, neural networks. This is a critical process within our mammalian
development, and it has been evidenced that deficit of required nutrition during these
periods can result in longer-term functional and structural brain changes, and can
contribute to neuropsychiatric sequelae, including schizophrenia.

There is comprehensive evidence to suggest that prenatal maternal malnutrition

increases the vulnerability of the undernourished fetus developing schizophrenia in
adulthood.

Prevention and treatment of malnutrition - Eisida Sallaku

Preventing malnutrition
The best way to prevent malnutrition is to eat a healthy, balanced diet. Try not to miss
or skip meals and aim to eat three small meals a day and two to three snacks a day if
your appetite is poor. Take drinks after your meal, not before or during as that can fill
you up. A healthy, balanced diet is vital for maintaining health and fitness. You need to
eat a variety of foods from the main food groups, including:
a. plenty of fruit and vegetables.
b. plenty of starchy foods such as bread, rice, potatoes, pasta.
c. some milk and dairy foods or non-dairy alternatives.
d. some sources of protein, such as meat, fish, eggs and beans.

Treatment for malnutrition depends on the cause and how bad the condition
is.

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If you have malnutrition, you may get advice you can follow at home. You may need to
see a dietitian or other qualified healthcare professional at home. In severe cases, you
may need hospital treatment.
They may also suggest:
 having a healthier, more balanced diet
 eating 'fortified' foods that contain extra nutrients
 snacking between meals
 having drinks that contain lots of calories
 getting home supermarket deliveries
If these aren’t enough, they may recommend you take supplements. Only take these if
advised to by a healthcare professional.
Feeding tubes
You may not be able to eat what you need. For example, if you have a problem
swallowing. If you do, you will need another way to get nutrients.
This may involve a:
a. tube that goes down the nose, into the stomach - called a nasogastric tube
b. tube that goes through the skin of the tummy, into the stomach or gut
c. nutrient solution that goes into the blood through a tube in a vein - called a
parenteral nutrition
These treatments usually begin in hospital. But they can continue at home if the person
is well enough.
Treating malnutrition in children
Malnutrition in children is often caused by long-term health conditions. But this isn't
the case for all children with malnutrition.
Treatment may involve:
 dietary changes, such as eating foods high in energy and nutrients
 support for families to manage underlying factors affecting the child's nutritional
intake
 treatment for any underlying medical conditions causing their malnutrition
 vitamin and mineral supplements

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 high energy and protein supplements, if other treatments do not work on their own

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