Malnutrition: Causes and Strategies

Abstract

Malnutrition is estimated to contribute to more than one third of all child deaths, although it is rarely listed as the direct cause. At the global level, a science and technology initiative is required to solve the listed problems such as increasing food prices, economic recession, increased competition for natural resources and climate change. Diseases like cancer, HIV/AIDS, oral health and chronic renal failure also breakdown the nutritional status. Bio fortification, probiotic foods and food processing strategies have shown the potential to overcome the malnutrition. A recently developed home based treatment for severe acute malnutrition is recovering the lives of hundreds of thousands of children a year. Ready-to-use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) has changed radically the treatment of severe malnutrition - providing foods that are safe to use at home and ensure quick weight gain in severely malnourished children. This review of the literature throws light on the causes of malnutrition and some important strategies like bio fortification, therapeutic diets, prebiotic foods and food processing to overcome malnutrition.