Malnutrition

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Malnutrition is a crucial issue that can present a danger to youth, especially women around the world. Malnutrition develops when a deficit of nutrients such as vitamins, minerals and other essential nutrients are present. There are several negative effects of malnutrition which include anemia, weakening of the immune system, deterioration of maternal health and risks for newborn children. Malnutrition in women can pose a threat to their unborn children and other physical problems. 

A problem that malnutrition can lead to is developing anemia. Anemia is a condition in which an individual does not have enough red-blood cells to carry oxygen to the entirety of the body. An individual’s body also has a shortage of hemoglobin and iron, which can lead to dizziness, fatigue and weakness. Anemia in women may cause an unborn child to be delivered prematurely and stunt the growth of a child. Anemia can also cause conflicts during pregnancy and delivery, as blood is lost during the process. Some symptoms of anemia may be prevented by eating a diet which accounts for adequate vitamins such as iron. 

One of the most serious effects of malnutrition in women is the increased risk of maternal and newborn deaths. Malnutrition can lead to several complications of the delivery and children, which include :  premature delivery, low birth weight, and the increased risk of the mother’s death. Malnourished mothers may also find it more difficult to intake enough vitamins and minerals to breastfeed. This can also lead the infant to have inadequate levels of minerals which may also cause anemia to develop. 

Statistics have suggested that many maternal deaths have been linked back to malnourishment. Many of the deaths have been in unrecognized or developing countries. About 800 women die from pregnancy complications and of those deaths, many come from countries without stable resources. In the study done by “The World Health Organization (WHO),” nearly 20% of maternal deaths in Africa have been associated with the effects of anemia. Moreover, iron deficiency is the cause of 75% of anemia cases. Pregnancy is a vital phase for the growth of the unborn where the mother is expected to provide the ideal amount of nutrition to her child(ren). 

The side effects of malnutrition can have negative impacts on an individual’s health.

Additionally, malnourished mothers may have more complications during pregnancy or delivery which underweight newborns and maternal deaths. Anemia, which is commonly caused by malnourishment, is a condition with symptoms that can be lightened by eating an inclusive diet and taking medicine. Through more exposure to the importance of nutrients and eating a balanced diet, malnutrition in numbers of women and mothers may decrease. 

Sources : 

https://www.cedars-sinai.org/health-library/diseases-and-conditions/a/anemia-in-pregnancy.html#:~:text=Anemia%20may%20cause%20your%20baby,for%20hemoglobin%20or%20hematocrit%20levels. 

https://www.unicef.org/nutrition/maternal#:~:text=During%20pregnancy%2C%20poor%20diets%20lacking,and%20developmental%20delays%20for%20children. 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7839159/#:~:text=Insufficient%20food%20intake%2C%20high%20energy,contribute%20to%20maternal%20malnutrition6.