Why are nutrition deficiency diseases caused? A comprehensive guide to the underlying factors

January 4, 2026 •

4 min read

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), malnutrition is the leading cause of illness and death globally, especially among young children. The question of why are nutrition deficiency diseases caused is complex, involving a range of interconnected factors beyond simply not having enough food. It encompasses dietary choices, medical conditions, and socioeconomic realities that impact how our bodies acquire and use essential nutrients.

Quick Summary

Nutrient deficiency diseases stem from inadequate dietary intake, impaired nutrient absorption, and increased bodily demands. Contributing factors include medical conditions, social inequality, and specific life stages.

Key Points

Inadequate Intake: Malnutrition often stems from a diet lacking in essential vitamins, minerals, and macronutrients, common in areas of food scarcity or due to poor dietary choices.
Impaired Absorption: Medical conditions such as Crohn's disease, celiac disease, and certain surgeries can prevent the body from effectively absorbing nutrients from food.
Increased Requirements: Life events like pregnancy, lactation, and childhood growth, as well as chronic illnesses like cancer, significantly increase the body's need for nutrients.
Socioeconomic Factors: Poverty, low income, and food insecurity are critical drivers of nutritional deficiencies by limiting access to diverse and nutritious foods.
Lifestyle and Environment: Chronic alcoholism, certain medications, and even environmental factors like depleted soil quality can interfere with nutrient status and cause deficiencies.
Genetic Predisposition: Inherited metabolic disorders can directly impair the body's ability to process or utilize certain nutrients.

The Foundation of Deficiency: Inadequate Nutrient Intake

Inadequate dietary intake is the most straightforward cause of nutritional deficiency diseases. A diet consistently lacking in essential vitamins, minerals, proteins, or carbohydrates will eventually lead to health problems. This is a primary issue in both developing nations facing food scarcity and affluent societies where poor dietary choices are prevalent.

Food Scarcity and Poverty: In low-income regions, access to a variety of nutrient-rich foods is limited due to poverty and food insecurity. Staple diets high in carbohydrates but low in protein and micronutrients are common, leading to widespread deficiencies like protein-energy malnutrition (PEM).
Processed Foods and "Hidden Hunger": In developed countries, easy access to cheap, highly processed foods high in calories but low in nutritional value can lead to what is known as "hidden hunger". A person may consume enough calories to be overweight but still lack key vitamins and minerals, resulting in deficiencies.
Restrictive Diets: Certain restrictive eating patterns, such as poorly planned vegan or vegetarian diets, can put individuals at risk for deficiencies in nutrients like Vitamin B12, which is predominantly found in animal products.
Food Preparation: Overcooking food can destroy heat-sensitive vitamins, such as Vitamin C and some B vitamins, further diminishing the nutritional value of a meal.

The Internal Battle: Impaired Nutrient Absorption

Even with a balanced diet, the body may fail to absorb nutrients properly, leading to deficiencies. This can be caused by various medical conditions, surgeries, and lifestyle factors.

Gastrointestinal Disorders: Conditions like Crohn's disease, celiac disease, and inflammatory bowel disease damage the intestinal lining, impairing its ability to absorb nutrients like B12 and calcium.
Surgical Procedures: Certain surgeries, particularly bariatric (weight loss) surgeries like gastric bypass, can alter the digestive tract in a way that reduces nutrient absorption. Patients often require lifelong supplementation to prevent deficiencies.
Substance Use: Chronic alcohol abuse can interfere with the absorption of several nutrients, including folate and vitamin C. It can also damage the pancreas and liver, further complicating nutrient metabolism.
Medication Interference: Some prescription medications can block the absorption of vitamins and minerals. For example, certain anti-seizure drugs can interfere with vitamin absorption, while some antacids can affect B12 uptake.

Life's Demands: Increased Requirements and Losses

At certain life stages or during illness, the body's need for nutrients increases dramatically. If this increased demand is not met, deficiency diseases can occur.

Pregnancy and Lactation: Pregnant and breastfeeding women have significantly higher needs for nutrients like iron, folic acid, and calcium to support the development of their baby. Inadequate intake during these critical periods can have severe consequences for both mother and child.
Childhood Growth: Children require a steady supply of nutrients for proper growth and development. Disadvantaged children are particularly vulnerable to undernutrition, which can lead to stunting and long-term health issues.
Chronic Illness and Trauma: Conditions like cancer, AIDS, and burns increase the body's energy expenditure and nutrient demands. At the same time, loss of appetite associated with these illnesses can further exacerbate nutrient deficiencies. Excessive nutrient loss can also occur with conditions causing chronic diarrhea.
Aging: As people age, reduced mobility, decreased appetite, and reduced nutrient absorption can increase the risk of malnutrition. The elderly may also be institutionalized or suffer from dementia, which complicates nutritional care.

Environmental and Social Underpinnings

Beyond individual health and diet, broader societal and environmental factors play a crucial role in causing nutritional deficiencies.

Soil Nutrient Depletion: The quality of the soil where food is grown affects its nutritional content. Selenium deficiency, for example, is endemic in regions where the soil naturally has low levels of this trace mineral.
Lack of Education: A lack of nutritional knowledge can lead to poor dietary choices, especially in low-income communities where people may not be aware of balanced eating or how to maximize the nutrients they do have access to.
Dysfunctional Food Systems: The United Nations and other organizations have recognized that dysfunctional food systems, often linked to poverty and political instability, are a chief cause of malnutrition.

Comparison of Causes: Dietary vs. Malabsorption Issues


Feature	Primary Cause: Inadequate Intake	Primary Cause: Malabsorption Issues
Mechanism	Insufficient quantity or quality of nutrients consumed via diet.	Impaired digestion or intestinal absorption of nutrients, regardless of intake.
Symptom Manifestation	May be gradual and tied to the specific nutrient(s) missing from the diet.	Can occur even with a seemingly healthy diet; may be accompanied by digestive symptoms.
Underlying Factors	Poverty, food insecurity, restrictive diets, poor nutritional knowledge, processed food consumption.	Chronic diseases (Crohn's), surgeries (gastric bypass), genetic conditions, medication side effects.
Common Treatment	Dietary changes, fortification, and oral supplements.	Management of underlying medical condition, specialized supplements (e.g., injections for B12).

Conclusion

Nutritional deficiency diseases are not caused by a single issue but rather a complex interplay of insufficient intake, impaired absorption, and increased bodily needs. These factors are further complicated by social, economic, and environmental conditions. Addressing this global health challenge requires a multi-faceted approach, including improving access to nutritious food, providing better healthcare and nutritional education, and managing underlying medical conditions. Recognition of this comprehensive view is the first step towards preventing and treating these widespread health problems worldwide.

To learn more about global malnutrition efforts, visit the World Health Organization's information page.

Note: The content provided is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional for specific health concerns.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, absolutely. This phenomenon is often called 'hidden hunger,' where a person consumes enough calories to be overweight or obese but lacks sufficient vitamins and minerals from their diet, which is often high in processed foods.

Yes, some prescription medications can interfere with nutrient absorption or increase the body's need for specific nutrients. Examples include certain anti-seizure drugs and long-term use of some antacids.

Social factors, particularly poverty, limit access to nutritious and varied foods due to financial constraints. It can lead to reliance on cheaper, less-nutritious options, increasing the risk of deficiencies.

Children have high nutritional needs for growth, while older adults may experience reduced appetite, mobility issues, and decreased nutrient absorption, making both groups more vulnerable to deficiencies.

Malabsorption occurs when the digestive system cannot properly absorb nutrients. This can be caused by diseases like Crohn's or by stomach/intestinal surgeries, resulting in deficiencies even with adequate intake.

Chronic alcohol consumption can damage the pancreas and intestinal lining, impairing nutrient absorption. It can also interfere with the body's storage and use of vitamins and minerals, notably folate and Vitamin C.

Yes, extensive food processing can leach out vitamins and minerals. Similarly, overcooking vegetables and other foods can destroy heat-sensitive vitamins, such as Vitamin C.