Combatting Acute Malnutrition: The Marasmus Challenge

Abstract

Instructor’s Name Date Introduction Marasmus is a common form of acute malnutrition resulting from inadequacy of calorie intake. The body needs physiological requirements for its development and maintenance and an individual needs sufficient nutrient. However, overconsumption and underconsumption of these nutrients is very harmful. WHO defines malnutrition as inadequate or excess intake of proteins, vitamins, and energy (Mathur &Pillai., 2019). Acute malnutrition is responsible form most deaths of children below five years and the remnants suffer cognitive and intellectual impairment; the estimated number of underweight children globally is 101 million attributing to 16% (Dipasquale et al., 2020). Marasmus remains an acute global problem for developing nations. India has a high prevalence rate of severe acute malnutrition representing a huge burden and the National Family health Survey in the country denotes a high prevalence of severe wasting at 7.5& which is an increase of the subsequent report (Joseph et al.,2023). In over century, research has become a norm in establishing the types of malnutrition based on clinical manifestations. Epidemiology Malnutrition is a public health problem around the globe especially in developing countries. However, research shows that in developed countries like the United States households with food insecurity stands at 25% and an international problem affecting the developing nations especially Sub-Saharan Africa and Southern Asia (Wudil et al., 2022). malnutrition is a causative agent for 300,000 deaths of young children per year and 50% deaths of young children and the world estimates stand at 852 million and majority are in underdeveloped nations (Titi-Lartey & Gupta, 2020). The malnutrition rates are seasonal and prevalent in the preharvest seasons due to food scarcity and the high risks of infectious diseases. Marasmus is the most prevalent severe acute malnutrition in Nigeria at 86% in children (Joseph et al., 2023). The primary factors contributing to this are the delays in access to care, shortage of workers for pediatric children, and poor management by community approaches. Pathophysiology of Marasmus. Calories are essential requirements in body development, and deficiency leads to starvation. Acute malnutrition manifests changes based on metabolic, hormonal, and glucoregulatory mechanisms. The physical response of starvation occurs in stages depending on the hours of starvation. Gastrointestinal absorption of a substrate which takes place in 1 to six hours depending on what a person has eaten. Carbohydrate meals increase blood levels of insulin and reduces glucagon levels. A low carbohydrate meal reduces the absorption from the gastrointestinal tract which reduces the levels of insulin secretion causing increased levels of hepatic glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis (Titi-Lartey & Gupta, 2020). In 4 to 5 hours of starvation the insulin stored in the liver as glycogen begins to break to provide the body with energy. The central nervous system is dependent on glucose for metabolism and as the levels of glucose decrease it delays the function of the system. the amount of glycogen stored in the body only sustains the body in twelve to sixteen hours (Titi-Lartey & Gupta). After many hours of starvation, the body loses its dependence on glucose as the main source of metabolism and resorts to oxidized fatty acids. Within three days of starvation, keto acid production reaches maximum to sustain the central nervous system since at the time, fatty acids cannot cross the blood brain barrier transitioning to lipid dependent metabolism allowing early preservation of the muscle protein leading to the activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the breakdown of the adipose tissue (Titi-Lartey & Gupta). The eventuality of starvation is acute malnutrition. Causes of Marasmus Marasmus frequents from deficiency in the protein and energy. The loss of calories contributes to loss in the adipose tissue and the muscle. The causes of marasmus segments to biological, environmental and social factors. Marasmus varies from adults and children. Poverty is a dominant factor that contributes to marasmus. Poverty alienates from natural disasters, wars, low living standards, and inadequate education for mothers. The lack of maternal education subjects’ infants to unhygienic feeding despite the availability of clean water. These factors define reasons why many households cannot secure healthy and reliable food supply which affects their protein energy supply. In developed countries, undernutrition is more common with adults than children (Wells et al., 2021). Age is a determinant factor in malnutrition confers different presentations of marasmus. HIV &Aids epidemic burdens many households and significantly links to malnutrition. Persons with HIV&AIDs need adequate care on their diet. Victims of the disease need a balanced diet to fight the virus. The Effects of Marasmus prolonged calorie restriction in the body increases the body’s susceptibility to infection due to immunodeficiency. Infection results from unhygienic patterns and low balanced diet reducing the levels of body potassium. For instance, diarrhea is a common infection from lack of body immunity and potassium is lost through severe diarrhea. The body...