Which groups are at risk for nutritional disorders?

October 24, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the World Health Organization, malnutrition in all its forms affects every country across the globe. Identifying which groups are at risk for nutritional disorders is the critical first step toward prevention and treatment, impacting individuals from infancy through old age.

Quick Summary

Certain populations, such as infants, adolescents, pregnant women, and the elderly, have increased vulnerability to nutritional disorders due to unique biological and social factors. Chronic disease, low socioeconomic status, and eating disorders also contribute to heightened nutritional risk.

Key Points

Infants and Children: High growth rates make them susceptible to undernutrition like stunting and wasting, as well as critical micronutrient deficiencies such as iron, vitamin A, and iodine.
Pregnant and Lactating Women: Increased nutrient requirements for fetal development and milk production make them highly vulnerable to deficiencies in iron, folate, and calcium.
The Elderly: Age-related factors such as poor appetite, dental issues, social isolation, and chronic illnesses elevate the risk of malnutrition.
Chronic Illness: Conditions like gastrointestinal diseases, cancer, and liver problems can significantly disrupt appetite, nutrient absorption, and metabolism.
Low Socioeconomic Status: Poverty and food insecurity restrict access to affordable, nutrient-dense foods, contributing to imbalanced diets and nutrient deficiencies.
Eating Disorders: Anorexia, bulimia, and other eating disorders lead to severe nutrient depletion and metabolic imbalances with serious health consequences.

Understanding the Risk of Nutritional Disorders

Nutritional disorders encompass both undernutrition and overnutrition, as well as specific micronutrient deficiencies. While a balanced diet is the foundation for good health, various groups face unique challenges that make them more susceptible to these issues. These vulnerabilities can stem from increased physiological needs, reduced intake, malabsorption, or environmental factors. Understanding these at-risk populations is essential for targeted health interventions.

Infants and Children

Infants and young children are particularly vulnerable due to their rapid growth and developing immune systems.

Infant feeding issues: Early life nutrition, especially during the first 1,000 days, is crucial. Improper feeding practices, food insecurity, or maternal malnutrition can lead to stunted growth, wasting, and inadequate intake of essential vitamins.
Micronutrient deficiencies: Common deficiencies include iron, Vitamin A, and iodine, which are critical for cognitive development and immune function.
Fussy eating: Behavioral issues like picky eating in toddlers can lead to imbalances in nutrient intake over time.

Pregnant and Lactating Women

Pregnancy and breastfeeding significantly increase a woman's nutritional requirements to support both her own body and the developing baby.

Increased demand: Iron, folate, calcium, and iodine requirements all increase substantially. Deficiencies can harm both mother and child, leading to issues like maternal anemia, low birth weight, and neural tube defects.
Substance use: Alcohol or drug dependency can deplete nutrient stores and harm fetal development.
Multiple pregnancies: Women with multiple pregnancies in a short period may be at higher risk of depleted nutrient reserves.

The Elderly Population

Older adults often experience physiological, psychological, and social changes that increase their risk for malnutrition.

Physiological changes: Altered metabolism, dental problems, and a diminished sense of taste and smell can reduce food intake.
Chronic diseases and medication: Co-existing health conditions and the multiple medications taken to manage them can interfere with appetite and nutrient absorption.
Social and psychological factors: Social isolation, living alone, and depression are common and can lead to a lack of motivation to prepare and eat meals.
Dementia: Cognitive decline, such as that caused by dementia, can lead to individuals forgetting to eat or neglecting their dietary needs.

Individuals with Chronic Illnesses

Certain chronic health conditions interfere with digestion, appetite, and nutrient absorption, placing individuals at risk.

Gastrointestinal disorders: Conditions like Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis can cause malabsorption, despite adequate food intake.
Cancer: Cancer and its treatments, such as chemotherapy, often lead to loss of appetite, nausea, and changes in metabolism.
Kidney or liver disease: These illnesses can impair the body's ability to process and absorb nutrients effectively.

Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Communities

Poverty and food insecurity are major drivers of nutritional disorders globally.

Limited access to food: Low-income households often have restricted access to nutrient-rich foods due to cost and availability, leading to diets high in energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods.
Lower health literacy: Insufficient education about nutrition can contribute to poor dietary choices.
Perpetual cycle: Malnutrition can increase health care costs and reduce productivity, perpetuating the cycle of poverty and ill-health.

Individuals with Eating Disorders

Psychological conditions that involve unhealthy eating patterns carry a significant risk of nutritional deficiencies and imbalances.

Anorexia nervosa: Severe restriction of food intake can lead to widespread macronutrient and micronutrient deficiencies, impacting all bodily systems.
Bulimia nervosa: The cycle of binge-eating and purging can lead to electrolyte imbalances and specific nutrient depletion.
Orthorexia: An obsessive focus on "healthy" eating can paradoxically lead to a restrictive diet lacking in essential nutrients.

Comparison of At-Risk Groups and Their Nutritional Challenges


At-Risk Group	Primary Challenge	Common Deficiencies	Impact on Health
Infants & Children	High growth demands	Iron, Vitamin A, Iodine	Stunted growth, cognitive impairment, weakened immunity
Pregnant Women	Increased physiological needs	Folate, Iron, Calcium	Anemia, neural tube defects, low birth weight
Elderly	Appetite loss, disease, social factors	Vitamin D, Calcium, B vitamins	Frailty, osteoporosis, cognitive decline
Chronic Illness	Malabsorption, appetite loss	Depends on condition	Wasting, poor immunity, fatigue
Low SES	Food insecurity, poor access	Iron, Vitamin A, diverse nutrients	Increased disease burden, slower development
Eating Disorders	Restrictive/unbalanced intake	Wide range of micronutrients	Organ damage, metabolic issues, low bone density

Conclusion

Nutritional disorders are complex health issues influenced by age, health status, and socioeconomic factors. While everyone requires proper nutrition, specific populations are far more vulnerable. For infants and children, rapid growth creates high demands, while pregnancy and lactation place significant stress on a woman's nutrient reserves. The elderly face risks from age-related changes and comorbidities, and those with chronic illnesses or eating disorders contend with unique absorption and intake challenges. Addressing these vulnerabilities requires a multi-faceted approach, combining medical intervention with improved social and economic support to ensure that all individuals have access to the nutrition they need to thrive. For more information on global malnutrition, visit the World Health Organization.

Frequently Asked Questions

Early signs in children can include stunted growth, general weakness, trouble breathing, poor appetite, and frequent infections. Behavioral changes like sleepiness and irritability can also occur.

Pregnant women have increased nutrient needs to support their own body and the developing fetus. Key deficiencies often include iron, folate, calcium, and iodine, which are crucial for proper development.

Chronic illnesses can impact nutritional health in several ways, including causing a loss of appetite, disrupting nutrient absorption, or increasing metabolic demands. Medications can also interfere with nutrient use.

Yes, obesity is a form of malnutrition caused by an excess of energy intake relative to energy expenditure. An individual can be obese yet still suffer from micronutrient deficiencies if their diet lacks vitamins and minerals.

Social isolation and loneliness can reduce an elderly person's motivation to shop for, prepare, and eat healthy meals. This can lead to a reduced overall food intake and malnutrition.

A folate deficiency during pregnancy is strongly linked to neural tube defects (NTDs) in the fetus, such as spina bifida and anencephaly. Adequate folate is critical during early development.

People with low socioeconomic status are more likely to experience food insecurity and have limited access to affordable, nutrient-rich foods. This often leads to a higher consumption of less healthy, energy-dense options.

No, eating disorders can involve undernutrition (anorexia nervosa) but also patterns of bingeing, purging, or fixation on 'healthy' eating (orthorexia), which can all lead to severe nutritional imbalances and deficiencies.