Malnutrition: You can still be at risk even if you are eating five times a day.

Malnutrition is the condition that develops when the body does not get the right amount of the vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients it needs to stay healthy

Malnutrition negatively affects brain development causing delays in motor and cognitive development. Malnutrition not only impacts growth in the short term but can also limit bone growth.

Signs of malnutrition include:

Impaired cognitive performance

Decreased IQ scores

Impair Learning abilities

Reduced social skills

Reduced language development for children

Reduced problem-solving abilities

Dangers of malnutrition:

1. It can lead to Iron deficiencies which can cause growth problems and problems with intellectual development, as well as a weakened immune system and greater exposure to those illnesses such as pneumonia, diarrhea, malaria, measles and Aids.

2. It can cause Iodine deficiencies which can lead to irreversible brain lesions and mental retardation. Iodine deficiencies can also cause goiter (swelling of the thyroid), and some other thyroid problems.

3. Vitamin A deficiencies can cause blindness or death. Vitamin A (retinol) is found in animal foods such as liver, oily fish, or indeed in cod liver oil.

Malnutrition can lead to serious health problems if not checked. Ask us about a blood test to check for nutritional deficiency. #Afriglobal