Tag: Swollen belly

Kwashiorkor, a severe form of protein-energy malnutrition, most commonly affects children in regions facing famine or food insecurity. It is the very malnutrition disease that is characterized by swollen belly, a condition caused by a lack of sufficient protein in the diet.

According to the World Health Organization, severe malnutrition affects millions of children globally, with one of the most visible symptoms being a swollen belly. This seemingly paradoxical physical sign is most famously associated with the condition Kwashiorkor, which helps explain why does malnutrition cause a swollen belly.

While it may seem counterintuitive, abdominal swelling can be a telltale sign of severe nutritional deficiency, not excess food. This phenomenon, often seen in a condition called Kwashiorkor, is the primary reason **why does your stomach get big when you're malnourished?**. It is a stark visual indicator that the body is suffering from a devastating lack of a vital nutrient: protein.