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Malnutrition - Definition and Overview |
| Related Words: Beriberi, Cachexia, Chlorosis, Dermatitis, Goiter, Kwashiorkor, Osteomalacia, Osteoporosis, Pellagra, Rachitis, Rickets, Scurvy, Struma, Xerophthalmia |
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Malnutrition is a general term for the medical condition in a person or animal caused by an unbalanced diet—either too little or too much food, or a diet missing one or more important nutrients.
Most commonly, malnourished people or animals either do not have enough calories in their diet, or are eating a diet that lacks protein, vitamins, or trace minerals. Medical problems arising from malnutrition are commonly referred to as deficiency diseases. Scurvy is a well-known and now rare form of malnutrition, in which the victim lacks vitamin C.
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