Tag: Primary malnutrition

Over 80% of individuals with chronic alcohol use disorder may experience thiamine deficiency alone. Primary malnutrition that results from chronic alcohol abuse occurs when high-calorie, nutrient-poor alcohol displaces a healthy diet, leading to critical deficiencies. This differs significantly from secondary malnutrition, where nutrient intake is adequate but absorption or utilization is impaired.

According to the World Health Organization, nearly half of deaths among children under five years of age are linked to undernutrition. This highlights the critical nature of dietary insufficiency, which is the root cause of **what is primary malnutrition**—a condition arising from a lack of food or specific nutrients in the diet.

According to the World Health Organization, nearly half of all deaths among children under five are linked to undernutrition, highlighting the critical global impact of malnutrition. Malnutrition, a broad term encompassing deficiencies, excesses, or imbalances in nutrient intake, can arise from two distinct paths: primary or secondary causes.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 390 million adults were underweight in 2022, a stark indicator of global malnutrition. However, malnutrition is not a monolithic issue; it can stem from vastly different root causes, a distinction that is crucial for effective treatment. This article explains what is the difference between primary and secondary malnutrition and why identifying the underlying cause is the first step toward recovery.