Tag: Marasmus causes

According to UNICEF, nearly half of all deaths in children under the age of five are linked to undernutrition. Marasmus is a severe form of protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) resulting from an overall deficiency of calories and protein.

According to UNICEF, nearly half of all deaths in children under five are linked to malnutrition, with marasmus being a particularly devastating form of this condition. But what brings marasmus to a child or adult, causing extreme wasting and emaciation? The answer is a complex interplay of inadequate nutrition, underlying health issues, and socioeconomic factors that deprive the body of essential calories and nutrients.

Worldwide, the most common cause of malnutrition is inadequate food intake. This severe condition, known as marasmus, is a form of protein-energy undernutrition resulting from a prolonged deficiency of both calories and protein. It is not simply hunger, but a complex series of physiological and social factors that lead to this life-threatening state.

According to UNICEF, malnutrition, including severe forms like marasmus, contributes to nearly half of all deaths in children under the age of five worldwide. This highlights the critical importance of understanding which of the following is the primary cause of marasmus, a question at the heart of tackling this public health crisis.

Nearly half of deaths in children under 5 years of age are linked to undernutrition globally. Understanding what is the cause of kwashiorkor and marasmus, two primary forms of severe acute malnutrition (SAM), is therefore critical for prevention and targeted intervention. These conditions, often conflated, arise from distinct dietary deficiencies and affect the body in different ways, though both are rooted in poverty and food insecurity.