Combatting Acute Malnutrition: The Marasmus Challenge

Acute Malnutrition; Marasmus Student’s Name Institution Affiliation Course Number 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