A form of malnutrition resulting from insufficient intake or absorption of energy or nutrients to meet the body’s needs.
Undernutrition can involve inadequate energy intake, protein-energy deficiency, or deficiencies of essential vitamins and minerals. It can impair growth, immune function, tissue repair, muscle strength, and normal organ function.
Undernutrition can result from inadequate food intake, illness, impaired absorption, increased nutritional requirements, or combinations of these factors.
QUICK FACT
Undernutrition is one form of malnutrition, rather than being synonymous with malnutrition as a whole.
COMMONLY CONFUSED WITH
Malnutrition: the broader term that includes undernutrition as well as certain nutrient deficiencies, overweight, obesity, and other forms of nutritional imbalance.
SEE ALSO