Malnutrition

Malnutrition is a condition of abnormal nutritional intake for normal homeostasis.

This may be either due to insufficient or excessive intake of many dietary elements, or an imbalance of intake of such elements. A range of clinical syndromes result.

Practically, malnutrition is often considered in terms of protein and energy.

Energy balance is determined to be positive or negative on the basis of input - enteral or parenteral nutrition - and output - heat and work.

Negative balance results in catabolism of body energy stores, primarily fat and protein, with subsequent loss of weight.

Reference:

1. Mark HE, Dias da Costa G, Pagliari C, et al. Malnutrition: the silent pandemic. BMJ. 2020 Dec 1;371.