Diseases That Cause Malnutrition Explained

January 8, 2026 •

2 min read

Worldwide, infectious diseases are a major cause of malnutrition, with malnutrition also weakening the immune system and increasing susceptibility to further infections. A wide range of other diseases also play a significant role, disrupting the body's ability to consume, digest, absorb, and utilize essential nutrients.

Quick Summary

Malnutrition is often a consequence of disease, with various conditions impacting nutrient intake and absorption. This includes gastrointestinal disorders, chronic illnesses like cancer and kidney disease, infections such as HIV/AIDS, and mental health conditions. Understanding these links is crucial for effective diagnosis and treatment.

Key Points

Gastrointestinal damage: Diseases like Crohn's and celiac disease directly harm the intestinal lining, impairing nutrient absorption.
Increased metabolic demand: Certain conditions, including cancer and COPD, significantly increase the body's energy and nutrient needs.
Suppressed appetite: Many illnesses and treatments can cause loss of appetite, leading to inadequate food consumption.
Infection cycle: Infectious diseases like HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis trigger a vicious cycle where infection causes malnutrition, which weakens the immune system.
Metabolic and hormonal changes: Chronic kidney disease and liver disease lead to imbalances contributing to wasting and deficiencies.
Mental and neurological factors: Conditions such as dementia and depression can profoundly impact eating habits and ability to care for oneself.
Treatment side effects: Many treatments cause side effects like nausea and taste changes that hinder proper nutrition.

How Disease Disrupts Nutrition

Malnutrition, an imbalance of nutrients in the body, most commonly manifests as undernutrition in the context of disease. Maintaining proper nutritional status requires adequate food intake, effective digestion, efficient nutrient absorption, and appropriate metabolic function. Diseases can disrupt these processes by altering appetite, impairing nutrient absorption, or increasing metabolic demand.

Gastrointestinal Disorders and Malabsorption

Diseases affecting the digestive system are a primary cause of malnutrition as they hinder nutrient absorption. These include conditions like Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), Celiac Disease, Pancreatic Insufficiency, and Short Bowel Syndrome. For more detailed information on these specific conditions and how they cause malnutrition, please refer to {Link: NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/malnutrition/causes/}.

Chronic Systemic Illnesses

Numerous chronic diseases impact the body's metabolism and nutrient use, leading to malnutrition, including Cancer, Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), Chronic Liver Disease, and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). For details on how each of these chronic systemic illnesses contributes to malnutrition, please see {Link: NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/malnutrition/causes/}.

Infectious Diseases and Malnutrition

Infections and malnutrition form a vicious cycle, each worsening the other. Specific infectious diseases that commonly lead to malnutrition include HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis (TB), and Parasitic Infections. Further details on how these infections cause malnutrition are available on {Link: NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/malnutrition/causes/}.

Mental Health and Neurological Conditions

Psychological and neurological factors can also contribute to malnutrition by affecting eating habits and the ability to consume food. This includes conditions like Eating Disorders, Dementia, and Depression. For more information on how these conditions impact nutritional status, consult {Link: NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/malnutrition/causes/}.

Chronic Illness and Malnutrition: A Comparison

Different chronic conditions cause malnutrition through varying mechanisms. A comparison of key features for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn's), Cancer, and Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) regarding their impact on malnutrition can be found at {Link: NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/malnutrition/causes/}. This resource details the primary mechanisms, gastrointestinal impact, metabolic changes, and risk of specific deficiencies for each condition.

Conclusion

Disease-related malnutrition is a widespread issue affecting patients across various conditions. The causes are diverse, including damage to the digestive tract (e.g., Crohn's disease) and systemic metabolic changes (e.g., cancer or HIV). Effective management requires identifying the specific way a disease impacts nutritional status. Early detection and targeted nutritional interventions are crucial for minimizing severe health consequences and improving patient outcomes. Understanding the link between different diseases and malnutrition is essential for better prevention and treatment. For additional resources on nutritional support in cancer, you can visit the {Link: National Cancer Institute https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/side-effects/appetite-loss}.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can cause malnutrition. Chronic inflammation damages the intestinal lining, interfering with nutrient absorption and leading to nutrient loss from diarrhea.

Cancer can cause malnutrition through appetite loss, increased energy needs, and digestive obstruction. Treatments also contribute with side effects like nausea.

HIV/AIDS and malnutrition are linked in a deadly cycle. The disease increases nutrient needs and loss, while malnutrition weakens the immune system.

Yes, chronic kidney disease can lead to malnutrition due to decreased appetite, inflammation, hormonal imbalances, and nutrient loss during dialysis.

Yes, conditions like depression and dementia can impact nutrition. Depression can cause appetite loss, while dementia can lead to forgetting to eat.

Diseases causing pancreatic insufficiency mean the body cannot produce enough digestive enzymes, leading to malabsorption of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates.

Yes, the risk is significant due to factors like reduced mobility, institutionalization, reduced appetite, and age-related decreases in nutrient absorption.