Who Are the People Affected by Malnutrition?

December 5, 2025 •

4 min read

In 2022, approximately 149 million children under the age of five were stunted due to malnutrition, while nearly half of all deaths among this age group are linked to undernutrition. However, malnutrition is not a single issue but a complex condition affecting a wide range of individuals across all countries, encompassing both undernutrition and overweight/obesity. The issue disproportionately impacts specific demographic groups and those living in vulnerable socioeconomic conditions.

Quick Summary

This article examines the diverse groups affected by malnutrition, from infants and the elderly to those facing poverty or chronic illness. It explores the varied causes, including lack of access to nutritious food and underlying health issues, highlighting the global scale of this health challenge.

Key Points

Infants and Children: Are the most vulnerable group, with inadequate nutrition leading to stunting, wasting, and irreversible developmental damage during the critical first 1,000 days of life.
The Elderly: Often suffer from malnutrition due to reduced appetite, chronic illnesses, limited mobility, social isolation, and medication side effects.
Socioeconomic Factors: Poverty and low income are major drivers, limiting access to affordable, nutritious food and contributing to both undernutrition and obesity.
Chronic Illness: Conditions like cancer, AIDS, and digestive disorders can interfere with appetite, nutrient absorption, and increase the body's need for calories.
Overnutrition: Malnutrition also includes overweight and obesity, which often coexist with micronutrient deficiencies, a phenomenon known as the 'double burden'.
Geographic Disparities: Low- and middle-income countries, particularly in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa, bear a disproportionately high burden of undernutrition.

Malnutrition's Broad Scope

Malnutrition is a general term covering a broad spectrum of conditions, from a deficiency of nutrients (undernutrition) to an excess (overnutrition), which can lead to obesity. While hunger is often the image that comes to mind, malnutrition's reach is much wider, affecting people of all ages and socioeconomic backgrounds. Factors such as poor access to balanced meals, chronic illness, and even certain dietary habits contribute to this global issue. The consequences are serious and long-lasting, impacting individuals, communities, and national economies.

Children and Infants: The Most Vulnerable

Children, especially those under the age of five, represent one of the most at-risk groups for malnutrition. The first 1,000 days of life, from conception to a child's second birthday, are a critical period of development where optimal nutrition is vital. Insufficient nutrient intake during this time can lead to irreversible consequences, including stunting (low height for age) and poor cognitive development. Undernutrition is linked to nearly half of all deaths in children under five, with most occurring in low- and middle-income countries.

Impact on children

Stunting: Chronic malnutrition that results in low height-for-age and developmental delays.
Wasting: Acute, severe weight loss caused by insufficient food or illness, making children highly susceptible to disease and death.
Micronutrient deficiencies: Lack of essential vitamins and minerals like iron or vitamin A can impair growth and development and increase health risks.

The Elderly and Chronically Ill

Older adults and individuals with chronic health conditions are also highly susceptible to malnutrition. Several factors contribute to this increased risk:

Reduced Appetite: Age-related loss of taste and smell, along with side effects from medications, can decrease interest in food.
Limited Mobility: Physical impairments like arthritis can make it difficult to shop for and prepare meals.
Chronic Diseases: Conditions such as cancer, dementia, and liver disease can interfere with appetite, nutrient absorption, and metabolism.
Social Isolation: Living alone and lacking motivation to cook can lead to reduced food intake.

Socioeconomic and Environmental Factors

Poverty and limited access to resources are major drivers of malnutrition globally. Low-income communities, even in developed countries, often have easier access to energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods rather than healthier, whole food options, leading to overnutrition alongside micronutrient deficiencies. Displaced populations due to conflict, climate disasters, or economic shocks face extreme challenges in accessing nutritious food and clean water, making them highly vulnerable to severe undernourishment.

How poverty and environment affect nutrition

Food Insecurity: Inconsistent access to a sufficient and safe food supply.
Gender Inequality: In some cultures, women eat last or receive less food, compromising their nutritional health, particularly for pregnant and lactating mothers.
Sanitation: Inadequate sanitation facilities can lead to infectious diseases like diarrhea, which cause nutrient loss and exacerbate malnutrition.
Access to Healthcare: Lack of proper healthcare services can hinder the treatment and prevention of infectious diseases that contribute to malnutrition.

Comparison of Malnutrition Risk Factors by Population


Vulnerable Population	Primary Risk Factors	Type(s) of Malnutrition	Common Consequences
Infants & Children	Inadequate breastfeeding, poor complementary feeding, infectious diseases, poverty	Undernutrition (stunting, wasting), micronutrient deficiencies	Irreversible cognitive damage, developmental delays, increased risk of disease and death
Pregnant & Breastfeeding Women	Increased nutritional needs, gender inequality in food distribution, micronutrient deficiencies	Undernutrition, anemia	Risk of birth complications, low-birth-weight babies, perpetual cycle of malnutrition
The Elderly	Reduced appetite, difficulty eating, chronic diseases, limited mobility, social isolation	Undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies	Weakened immune system, delayed wound healing, cognitive decline, frailty
Chronically Ill	Conditions interfering with appetite or absorption (e.g., cancer, AIDS, dementia), increased nutrient needs	Undernutrition (disease-related), overnutrition (depending on illness and medications)	Delayed recovery, increased severity of illness, fatigue
Low-Income Individuals	Food insecurity, poverty, limited access to nutritious and affordable foods, lack of nutritional education	Both undernutrition and overnutrition (the double burden)	Diet-related non-communicable diseases (obesity, diabetes), weakened immunity

The Double Burden of Malnutrition

It is important to note that many populations, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, face the "double burden" of malnutrition, which includes both undernutrition and overweight/obesity. This occurs when individuals who have experienced undernutrition in their early years transition to a diet high in calories but low in nutritional value, often consisting of cheap, processed foods. This paradox can lead to chronic health issues, including diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Combating this double burden requires comprehensive strategies that address food security, access to diverse nutrition, and effective healthcare.

Conclusion: A Global Challenge Affecting Us All

Malnutrition is a complex, multifaceted issue that extends beyond mere lack of food. It impacts infants, children, the elderly, those with chronic illnesses, and individuals in poverty, often with severe and lasting consequences. The global challenge requires sustained action and collaboration to improve nutrition education, food systems, and healthcare access. The specific risk factors for malnutrition are diverse, ranging from biological vulnerabilities in early life to socioeconomic disparities that perpetuate cycles of poor health. Addressing these underlying issues is crucial for creating a healthier, more equitable future for all.

For more in-depth information, the World Food Programme provides extensive resources on global malnutrition and its devastating impacts on vulnerable populations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Malnutrition is an imbalance of nutrients in the body, which can mean either a deficiency (undernutrition) or an excess (overnutrition). It weakens the immune system, impairs children's growth and development, increases the risk of disease, and can have long-term consequences on health and economic potential.

Children are vulnerable because of their high nutritional needs for rapid growth and development, especially in the first 1,000 days of life. Inadequate nutrition during this period can cause irreversible damage, including stunting and cognitive impairments, and is often linked to infectious diseases and poverty.

Poverty is a leading cause because it limits access to nutritious food. In low-income areas, individuals may be unable to afford varied, healthy diets and instead rely on cheaper, calorie-dense foods that lack essential vitamins and minerals, contributing to both undernutrition and overnutrition.

Yes, it is possible to be overweight or obese and still be malnourished. This can happen when a person consumes excess calories, leading to weight gain, but still lacks essential vitamins and minerals from a poor-quality diet. This is known as the 'double burden of malnutrition'.

Many chronic and mental health conditions increase the risk of malnutrition. Examples include cancer, Crohn's disease, dementia, depression, and eating disorders, all of which can affect appetite, nutrient absorption, or metabolism.

Elderly individuals face a higher risk due to factors like reduced mobility, difficulty chewing or swallowing, decreased appetite, and medication side effects. Social isolation and living situations can also impact their motivation and ability to access and prepare healthy meals.

Globally, malnutrition disproportionately affects the poorest and most vulnerable populations, especially children and women in low- and middle-income countries. Regions like South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa have the highest burdens of undernutrition.