What Are The Early Signs Of Malnutrition?

Weight Loss

Weight loss is a common sign of undernutrition. When an individual stops taking in as many nutrients as they need, they often experience a sudden and dramatic loss of weight, though this typically happens unintentionally. Most researchers agree a loss of five to ten percent or more loss of an individual's body weight over three to six months is indicative of malnutrition. Even if an individual is dieting, losing this much weight can be a sign they aren't getting the vitamins and minerals they need. Such a dramatic shift in body weight will slow down an individual's metabolism, which means they're more likely to gain excess weight in the long term. Malnutrition is sometimes caused by an underlying health condition that causes malabsorption of nutrients. If an individual's body isn't absorbing all the calories and vitamins in their food, they can experience malnutrition symptoms even if they eat a balanced diet. If individuals experience dramatic weight loss without changing anything about their diet or exercise habits, they should talk to a doctor.

Keep reading to learn more about the early signs of malnutrition now.