A well-balanced diet containing the nutrients is essential for the well-being of an individual. Malnutrition or deficiency of the essential nutrients can cause serious complications and diseases. In some cases, nutritional disorders can occur when the body is not able to effectively metabolize and absorb the food which can also result in nutritional disorders. This condition can also occur from the excess amount of nutrient which the body stores causing vitamin toxicity. Some of the disorders include malnutrition, anemia, obesity, rickets, osteoporosis, scurvy, impaired vision and goiter.
Rickets
This is the softening and the weakening of the bones occurring among the children because of vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D is important for the absorption of calcium and phosphorous by the body and its deficiency results in the inability to maintain normal calcium and phosphorous level in the bones. Some of the indications of rickets include pain in the spine, delayed growth and muscle weakness. The associated bone deformities include breastbone projection, thickened wrists and ankles or bowed legs. Rickets can be treated with vitamin D and calcium supplements or a surgical procedure for the skeletal deformities.
Malnutrition
This develops when the sufficient quantity of essential nutrients required by the body is not met with the food consumed. Malnutrition refers to an undernutrition or overnutrition. An increased number of people who consume food high in fat and sugar are at a high risk of obesity and micronutrient deficiency. Some of the health conditions that can also cause malnutrition include ulcerative colitis, eating disorders, liver diseases, depression and crohn’s disease. Some of the symptoms of malnutrition include the loss of appetite, altered mood, weight loss, poor growth among children and poor concentration. The treatment for malnutrition can be supported by a dietician or require the need of hospitalization in the severe case.
Beriberi
This disease develops when the body does not have enough thiamine (vitamin B1). Beriberi is mostly associated with individuals who drink heavily resulting in poor nutrition as the excess alcohol can make it difficult to absorb and store vitamin B1. This condition can also develop among infants who are breastfed by mothers who are thiamine deficient or fed formula that doesn’t contain enough thiamine. The common symptoms of beriberi include difficulty walking, loss of sensation in the limbs, mental confusion, loss of muscle function, vomiting, tingling and increased heart rate. This disease can be treated with vitamin supplements which are either administered as an injection or taken orally.
Obesity
This is the excess fat accumulation in the body and is considered unhealthy when the individual’s weight is higher than what’s normal for their height. This develops when a person consumes food more than the body can use. Some of the contributing factors of obesity include genetic makeup, physically being inactive, consuming food high in fat or overeating. Obesity increases the risk of arthritis, cancer, heart disease and a stroke.
References
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/rickets/diagnosis-treatment/treatment/txc-20200471
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000339.htm
https://medlineplus.gov/obesity.html
