Proper nutrition helps to ensure that your body stays healthy and that you do not experience any major health problems. Poor nutrition can be defined as a lack of essential vitamins or minerals or an excess amount of unhealthy nutrients or substances. Poor nutrition causes a variety of different health problems in both adults and children.
Anemia
Anemia is one of the most common health problems caused by poor nutrition. The condition is characterized by a lack of healthy red blood cells in the body. If your body lacks a sufficient number of red blood cells, oxygen cannot be delivered to your body tissues properly, and carbon dioxide cannot be removed successfully, according to MayoClinic.com. General symptoms of anemia include fatigue, shortness of breath, chest pain and pale nail beds and skin. Lack of the nutrients iron, folate or vitamin B-12 may lead to anemia.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a chronic condition that develops gradually as a result of low calcium and phosphate in your diet over the years. If these minerals are not a regular part of your diet, bones do not form correctly, and this causes problems as you age. As osteoporosis progresses, your risk of fractures, bone pain, loss of height, neck pain and poor posture increases.
High Blood Pressure
The amount of force exerted on the arteries when the heart pumps and contracts is defined as blood pressure. Normal blood pressure is around 120/80 mm Hg. Diets that are high in saturated fats and sodium may cause the development of plaque on the arterial walls as well as an increase in blood pressure. Chronic high blood pressure may lead to heart damage or a heart attack.
High Cholesterol
Diets high in fat and dietary cholesterol contribute to total cholesterol levels in the blood. While a normal amount of cholesterol in the blood is important for proper body function, excess amounts of cholesterol can contribute to plaque in the arteries and the possibility that you may develop coronary artery disease.
Rickets
A deficiency of calcium, phosphate or vitamin D can cause rickets, a disorder characterized by softening and weakening of the bones. When blood levels of these important minerals become too low, the body tries to compensate by pulling calcium and phosphate out of the bones and depositing them into the bloodstream. The weakened bones increase the risk for fractures, impaired growth, teeth problems, muscle cramps and skeletal deformities. The University of Maryland Medical Center notes that rickets is most common in children during periods of rapid growth and development.
