Is Malnutrition a Problem? Exploring a Global Crisis

January 11, 2026 •

3 min read

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly one in three people globally had at least one form of malnutrition in 2017. Malnutrition is indeed a significant problem, encompassing not just undernutrition but also the growing crises of obesity and micronutrient deficiencies. The issue affects every country and carries serious, lasting consequences for individuals, communities, and national economies.

Quick Summary

Malnutrition is a complex global problem including undernutrition, overnutrition, and micronutrient deficiencies. It profoundly impacts health, development, and economic stability across all nations, particularly affecting vulnerable populations like children. Addressing this crisis requires multi-faceted strategies targeting underlying causes like poverty and food systems.

Key Points

Broad Definition: Malnutrition includes not only undernutrition (stunting, wasting) but also overnutrition (overweight, obesity) and micronutrient deficiencies.
Global Scale: Malnutrition affects every country, with many facing the "double burden" of coexisting undernutrition and overnutrition within the same populations or households.
Child Vulnerability: Undernutrition is a leading cause of death in children under five, and its effects on physical and cognitive development can be irreversible.
Chronic Disease Risk: Overnutrition is driving the rise in noncommunicable diseases like diabetes and heart disease, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
Systemic Causes: The root causes are complex, including poverty, food insecurity, climate change, and weak public health systems, not just food availability.
Economic Impact: Malnutrition has vast economic costs, including lost productivity and increased healthcare spending, which can perpetuate cycles of poverty.
Multifaceted Solutions: Effective strategies require a multi-sectoral approach that improves food security, promotes healthy diets and physical activity, and strengthens healthcare access.

Understanding the Broad Scope of Malnutrition

Malnutrition is defined as deficiencies, excesses, or imbalances in a person's intake of energy and nutrients. This definition includes undernutrition, overweight and obesity (overnutrition), and micronutrient-related malnutrition. A significant aspect of this crisis is the “double burden of malnutrition,” where undernutrition and overweight/obesity coexist within the same populations, households, or even individuals. This is particularly evident in low- and middle-income countries.

The devastating effects of undernutrition

Undernutrition, which includes stunting (low height-for-age), wasting (low weight-for-height), and underweight, is a leading cause of death for children under five, especially in low- and middle-income nations. Stunting can cause irreversible physical and cognitive damage, while wasting increases the risk of death. Micronutrient deficiencies, or “hidden hunger,” involving nutrients like iodine, vitamin A, and iron, are also widespread and can lead to severe developmental issues such as mental impairment and blindness.

The rising tide of overnutrition

Overnutrition, characterized by overweight and obesity, results from consuming more calories than expended. It is a major risk factor for noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and certain cancers. Global obesity rates have increased dramatically, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, driven by factors like sedentary lifestyles and diets high in energy-dense, processed foods.

Causes of the global malnutrition crisis

The causes are complex and interconnected, categorized by UNICEF into immediate, underlying, and basic levels. Immediate causes include inadequate diet and diseases that affect appetite or nutrient absorption. Underlying causes involve household food insecurity, lack of clean water, and poor healthcare access. Basic causes are broader systemic issues like poverty, inequality, conflict, and climate change, which disrupt food systems and perpetuate poor nutrition.

A comparison of undernutrition and overnutrition


Feature	Undernutrition	Overnutrition
Definition	Insufficient intake of energy and nutrients.	Excessive intake of energy and nutrients, leading to weight gain.
Primary Manifestations	Wasting, stunting, underweight, and micronutrient deficiencies.	Overweight, obesity, and related metabolic syndrome indicators.
Associated Diseases	Increased risk of infectious diseases, impaired immunity, and stunted cognitive development.	Higher risk of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) like heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers.
Typical Demographics	Historically prevalent in low-income countries; affects children, elderly, and those with chronic illness across all income levels.	Historically more common in high-income countries; now rising fastest in low- and middle-income countries.
Main Underlying Cause	Poverty, food insecurity, infectious diseases, and poor sanitation.	Globalization of food systems, sedentary lifestyles, and access to energy-dense, processed foods.
Treatment Focus	Increasing caloric intake and providing balanced nutritional supplements, often requiring specialized therapeutic foods.	Promoting weight loss through balanced diets, lifestyle changes, and increased physical activity.

Strategies for combating malnutrition

A multi-sectoral approach targeting immediate, underlying, and basic causes is essential.

For undernutrition:

Improve food security.
Promote healthy feeding practices and nutrition education.
Use ready-to-use therapeutic foods (RUTFs) for severe acute malnutrition.
Increase access to healthcare and vaccinations.

For overnutrition:

Create healthy food environments and regulate marketing of unhealthy foods.
Promote physical activity.
Provide nutrition education.

The economic and social impact

Malnutrition has significant economic costs globally, including lost productivity and increased healthcare expenses. Its effects on children's development can hinder education and earning potential, perpetuating poverty. Women are particularly vulnerable, and improving their nutritional status is key to breaking intergenerational cycles of malnutrition.

Conclusion

Is malnutrition a problem? Yes, it is a complex global crisis with devastating consequences. It includes undernutrition, overnutrition, and hidden hunger, driven by systemic issues like poverty and unsustainable food systems. Addressing this requires comprehensive, multi-sectoral strategies to achieve the goal of ending all forms of malnutrition by 2030. Concerted global action is vital for a healthier future. Learn more about nutrition strategies and global health at the World Health Organization website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Malnutrition is an umbrella term for deficiencies, excesses, or imbalances in nutrient intake. Undernutrition is a specific form of malnutrition caused by an insufficient intake of energy and nutrients, resulting in low weight, stunting, or wasting.

Yes, this is a form of malnutrition known as the “double burden of malnutrition”. A person can be overweight or obese while simultaneously suffering from micronutrient deficiencies if their diet is high in calories but low in essential vitamins and minerals.

Childhood malnutrition, especially stunting and wasting, can lead to irreversible physical and cognitive damage. This can result in poor school performance, delayed mental development, weakened immune systems, and higher risk of illness.

The causes are complex and include immediate factors like poor diet and disease, underlying issues such as poverty and food insecurity, and basic causes like political instability, gender inequality, and climate change.

No, every country is affected by one or more forms of malnutrition. While undernutrition is more prevalent in low-income regions, overnutrition and obesity are rising rapidly in low- and middle-income countries, and micronutrient deficiencies can occur in all populations.

Malnutrition has enormous economic costs, including lost productivity due to illness and reduced human potential from childhood stunting. It also increases healthcare expenses and slows economic growth, perpetuating cycles of poverty.

Treatment varies by the form and severity of malnutrition. Undernutrition is often treated with nutritional supplements, therapeutic foods (like RUTFs), and addressing underlying infections. Overnutrition is treated with diet and lifestyle changes, along with addressing any related noncommunicable diseases.