Nutrition and malnutrition
Read the topic background here, then explore the labeled visual and structured learning explanations on this page.
Read explanation on this page ↓ See diagram ↓Malnutrition — on-site reading
This reference extract addresses Malnutrition, a related subject. It does not cover every part of Nutrition and malnutrition.. The article introduction is reproduced here, so you do not need to leave MedAtlas to read it. It may not match the latest official medical guidance.
Malnutrition occurs when an organism gets too few or too many nutrients, resulting in health problems. Specifically, it is a deficiency, excess, or imbalance of energy, protein and other nutrients which adversely affects the body's tissues and form.
Malnutrition is a category of diseases that includes undernutrition and overnutrition. Undernutrition is a lack of nutrients, which can result in stunted growth, wasting, and being underweight. A surplus of nutrients causes overnutrition, which can result in obesity or toxic levels of micronutrients. In some developing countries, overnutrition in the form of obesity is beginning to appear within the same communities as undernutrition. Malnutrition is reported to occur in US healthcare and worldwide up to 40% of hospitalized patients are estimated to be affected by disease-related malnutrition.
Most clinical studies use the term 'malnutrition' to refer to undernutrition. However, the use of 'malnutrition' instead of 'undernutrition' makes it impossible to distinguish between undernutrition and overnutrition, a less acknowledged form of malnutrition. Accordingly, a 2019 report by The Lancet Commission suggested expanding the definition of malnutrition to include "all its forms, including obesity, undernutrition, and other dietary risks." The World Health Organization and The Lancet Commission have also identified "[t]he double burden of malnutrition", which occurs from "the coexistence of overnutrition (overweight and obesity) alongside undernutrition (stunted growth and wasting)".
How this connects to Paediatrics
Paediatric assessment is age-dependent: anatomy, expected vital signs, immune function, nutrition and development change rapidly from infancy to adolescence. Interpretation requires gestational or chronological age, growth trajectory, caregiver history and appropriate pediatric reference standards.
Text credit: Wikipedia contributors, “Malnutrition”, original article · authors & revision history · CC BY-SA 4.0. Unmodified opening extract, accessed 24 September 2026. This Wikipedia-derived section is provided under CC BY-SA 4.0; the independent MedAtlas notes and design are separate works.
Nutrition and malnutrition · visual study map
Scalable vector illustration. Labeled conceptual map, not a precise anatomical, histological or diagnostic image.The wording in this learning map is adapted from the attributed Wikipedia background section below (CC BY-SA 4.0).
What the underlying subject studies
Paediatrics studies health and disease across rapidly changing developmental stages. Anatomy, normal vital signs, metabolism, immune function and expected behavior vary with age, so adult assumptions cannot simply be transferred to children.
How mechanisms and evidence connect
Assess growth longitudinally and development across motor, language, cognitive and social domains. Environmental context, feeding, caregivers, immunization and congenital factors may influence health.
How to develop a sound explanation
When studying a pediatric disorder, begin with the age group, developmental context, likely mechanism and assessment principles. Emergency skills and medication dosing require dedicated, supervised pediatric training.
References and verification (optional)
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