Tag: Bloated belly

According to the Cleveland Clinic, between 10% and 25% of otherwise healthy people complain of occasional abdominal bloating. However, persistent, severe abdominal distention that mimics pregnancy can feel far from 'occasional' and can cause significant distress, leading many to wonder, "Why am I so bloated I look pregnant constantly?" The answer often lies in a combination of dietary habits, physiological factors, and, in some cases, underlying medical issues.

Kwashiorkor, a form of severe malnutrition, is notoriously recognized by the distended, bloated belly it causes in children. Understanding if and how **does malnutrition cause a bloated belly** requires delving into the body's complex response to protein and nutrient deficiencies that lead to this misleading symptom.

According to the World Health Organization, malnutrition is a significant global health issue, and a swollen, distended abdomen is a hallmark symptom of one of its most severe forms, Kwashiorkor. This visual paradox, where a person appears emaciated but has a bloated belly, is primarily caused by a critical lack of protein in the diet.