Severe Protein & Caloric Malnutrition

Severe protein and calorie malnutrition occurs when you do not receive sufficient amounts of protein and calories from your diet. You need protein to support the function of your muscles, cells, tissues and organs. You need calories for energy for your cells, movement, thought and memory. Protein and calorie malnutrition increases your risk of infection, chronic disease and death. Consult your nutritionist about your intake of proteins and calories.

Kwashiorkor

Kwashiorkor is a condition of malnutrition in which you do not consume sufficient proteins in your diet. Kwashiorkor occurs most often in poor countries and locations where there is famine and limited food supply due to economics, political unrest or natural disaster. People in poor communities are often uneducated on essentials of eating a proper diet, whereas people in locations of natural disaster may be unable to gain access to food over a period of time. It is very rare for people in developed countries to have kwashiorkor, yet abused children and the elderly in the United States and Europe are vulnerable to not getting enough protein in their diets. Kwashiorkor symptoms include fatigue and irritability, loss of muscle mass, swelling, inability to grow properly and an impaired immune system. As a result, people with kwashiorkor appear bloated, with a protuberant belly.

Marasmus

Marasmus is a condition in which you do not consume sufficient amounts of calories. It is characterized by a wasting of body tissues, especially muscles and subcutaneous fat, leaving you with only bones and skin. Diarrhea and infections, particularly involving the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts, are common among people with marasmus. Moreover, children with marasmus adapt to a calorie deficit by a decrease in energy metabolism, slowdown of growth, reduced physical activity and increased weight loss.

Marasmic-Kwashirkor

Marasmic-kwashiorkor is a condition in which you suffer from both marasmus and kwashiorkor. Wasting of body mass, particularly muscle tissue and cells that affect your organs, such as your heart, liver, pancreas and digestive tracts. However, your body preserves your brain, kidneys and skeleton. Your fat stores can become almost depleted.

Gastric Bypass Surgery

Patients who undergo gastric bypass surgery for weight loss are at an increased risk of severe protein and calorie malnutrition. The most common form of gastric bypass surgery for weight loss is the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, also simply called gastric bypass, gastric band, or adjustable gastric banding system. Research by scientists at Obesity Group Clinical Hospital in Sao Paulo, Brazil, published in "Obesity Surgery" in 2004, found that serious protein and calorie malnutrition is not exceedingly rare among patients following gastric bypass surgery. The scientists recommend follow-up up on patients with regard to nutritional status to prevent potentially dangerous complications.