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Degrees of malnutrition?

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Brightspot
February 6, 2012

I have seen many references on the website to kids who are in feeding programs or suffering from first-, second-, or third-degree malnutrition. I understand that third degree is the worst, but other than that, what do these designations mean? How are these levels determined? (I understand that kids can be malnourished without necessarily looking like it at a glance.)

Missing user
February 6, 2012

Types of Malnutrition

Each form of malnutritionhttp://www.wfp.org/nutrition depends on what nutrients are missing in the diet, for how long and at what age.

The most basic kind is called protein energy malnutrition . It results from a diet lacking in energy and protein because of a deficit in all major macronutrients, such as carbohydrates, fats and proteins.

Marasmus is caused by a lack of protein and energy with sufferers appearing skeletally thin. In extreme cases, it can lead to kwashiorkor, in which malnutrition http://www.wfp.org/nutritioncauses swelling including a so-called 'moon face'.

Other forms of malnutrition http://www.wfp.org/nutritionare less visible - but no less deadly. They are usually the result of vitamin and mineral deficiencies (micronutrients), which can lead to anaemia, scurvy, pellagra, beriberi and xeropthalmia and, ultimately, death.

Deficiencies of iron, vitamin A and zinc are ranked among the World Health Organization's (WHO) top 10 leading causes of death through disease in developing countries:

  • Iron deficiency is the most prevalent form of malnutrition http://www.wfp.org/nutritionworldwide, affecting millions of people. Iron forms the molecules that carry oxygen in the blood, so symptoms of a deficiency include tiredness and lethargy. Lack of iron in large segments of the population severely damages a country's productivity. Iron deficiency also impedes cognitive development, affecting 40-60 percent of children aged 6-24 months in developing countries (source: Vitamin and Mineral Deficiency, a global damage assessment report, Unicef).
  • Vitamin A deficiency weakens the immune systems of a large proportion of under-fives in poor countries, increasing their vulnerability to disease. A deficiency in vitamin A, for example, increases the risk of dying from diarrhoea, measles and malaria by 20-24 percent. Affecting 140 million preschool children in 118 countries and more than seven million pregnant women, it is also a leading cause of child blindness across developing countries (source: UN Standing Committee on Nutrition's 5th Report on the World Nutrition Situation, 2005).
  • Iodine deficiency affects 780 million people worldwide. The clearest symptom is a swelling of the thyroid gland called a goitre. But the most serious impact is on the brain, which cannot develop properly without iodine. According to UN research, some 20 million children (source: Vitamin and Mineral Deficiency, a global damage assessment report, Unicef) are born mentally impaired because their mothers did not consume enough iodine. The worst-hit suffer cretinism, associated with severe mental retardation and physical stunting.
  • Zinc deficiency contributes to growth failure and weakened immunity in young children. It is linked to a higher risk of diarrhoea and pneumonia, resulting in nearly 800,000 deaths per year.
debbies
February 8, 2012

Here is the info from our Health Program Director:

1) Does each SOA have their own standards for height and weight to determine which stage of malnutrition a child is in, or are the standards the same for all SOAs? What are our standards for classifying a child as overweight?

All Children International agencies use the WHO Child Growth Reference to assess nutritional status of its sponsored children and youth. Using the growth reference we may say that a child is…

• Normal – this is when a child is of average size for their age, as a result of adequate caloric intake and the body’s ability to absorb nutrients. This is considered ideal in enabling a child to develop and live a healthy, active life.

• 1st degree malnourished/at risk for being malnourished – this is when a child’s size is slightly below the normal for their age, as a result of inadequate caloric intake and the body’s inability to absorb nutrients. These children are considered “at risk” of becoming malnourished, but it DOES NOT indicate that the child is currently malnourished.

• 2nd degree malnourished/moderately malnourished – this is when a child’s size is much less than normal for their age. Moderately malnourished children are more likely to get sick and experience complications with common illnesses such as respiratory infections and diarrhea. Individuals that are malnourished are more likely to have health problems as adults.

• 3rd degree malnourished/severely malnourished – this is when a child’s size is significantly less than normal for their age. These children are much more susceptible to diseases and can suffer from serious complications of common illnesses. Individuals that are malnourished are more likely to have health problems as adults.

• Overweight – this is when a child’s size is slightly above the normal for their age, as a result of excessive fat deposits that may cause health problems. Individuals that are overweight are more likely to have health problems as adult.

• Obese – this is when a child’s size is significantly above the normal, as a result of excessive fat deposits. These children may experience difficulties when engaging in physical activity, and they are at particular risk for developing diabetes, heart disease, and some cancers as adults.

2) What agencies have feeding programs for malnourished children? How long are sponsored children typically in a feeding program when they're malnourished?

All SOAs have a malnutrition rehabilitation program as it is a CI core program. Core Programs are defined as program benefits that sponsored children have access to as needed. Core programs are supported with sponsorship funds.

The length of time it takes a child to recover to a normal weight differs from case to case. However, an estimate and objective for our nutrition interventions is to see weight gain and improvements in nutritional status of undernourished children within 6-9 months of enrollment.

Children who are 2nd and 3rd degree are enrolled in the Feeding Program.

Renee*
February 8, 2012

Thanks Debbie for the information and I pray Leya's condition improves quickly.

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