Malnutrition: Causes, Effects, and Solutions

Malnutrition is a global health problem that affects millions of people across different age groups. It occurs when the body does not receive the essential nutrients it needs for healthy growth, immunity, and daily functioning. Malnutrition includes both undernutrition and unbalanced nutrition, and it remains one of the leading causes of illness and death, especially in developing countries.

What Are Cooperatives?

Cooperatives are special types of businesses that balance two main goals:

1. Meeting the needs of their members

2. Achieving profit and long-term sustainability

They include registered cooperatives, producer organizations, self-help groups, unions, and farmers' associations. Cooperatives operate in various sectors such as agriculture, finance, food production, healthcare, insurance, and marketing.

Globally, over one billion people are involved in cooperatives, which provide around 100 million jobs, exceeding multinational companies by nearly 20%. These organizations help farmers increase food production, improve marketing, create jobs, and strengthen food security.

Research shows that individual small-scale farmers benefit less from rising food prices, while farmers who work collectively through cooperatives gain stronger market power and better income opportunities.

Cooperatives also help small farmers raise their concerns to authorities, influence policy decisions, and reduce risks through collective production, shared profits, and improved bargaining power.

Who Is Most Affected by Malnutrition?

Certain groups are more vulnerable, including:

• Infants under two years

• Children and adolescents

• Pregnant and breastfeeding women

Forms of Malnutrition

1. Poor Nutrition (Inadequate Intake)

This occurs when the body does not receive enough essential nutrients such as protein, calories, vitamins, or minerals. It weakens immunity, increases the risk of infections like measles and diarrhea, and can lead to poor physical development.
Malnutrition is measured through indicators like weight, height, age, and blood tests—not by food quantity alone.

2. Undernutrition

Undernutrition refers to consuming fewer calories than the body's minimum energy needs. Today, an estimated 1.02 billion people worldwide suffer from undernutrition, mainly in developing countries.

3. Unbalanced Nutrition

This happens when a person eats too much of certain nutrients—such as excess carbohydrates or fats—leading to chronic diseases like obesity, heart disease, and metabolic disorders.

Health Effects of Malnutrition

Malnutrition can cause:

• Severe thinness

• Stunted growth

• Vitamin and mineral deficiencies

• Anemia (especially from iron deficiency)

• Obesity and related chronic diseases

Micronutrient deficiencies are extremely widespread, affecting nearly 2 billion people.
According to WHO, deficiencies in iron, vitamin A, and zinc are among the top ten causes of global mortality in developing countries.

• Iron deficiency affects billions and reduces cognitive and physical productivity.

• Vitamin A deficiency is a leading cause of childhood blindness in developing nations.

• Zinc deficiency weakens immunity and causes growth failure, leading to thousands of child deaths yearly.

Solutions and Recommendations

With rising global food prices, it is essential for families to adopt healthier, more economical eating habits. This challenge can be an opportunity for positive dietary change in Saudi society. Experts emphasize:

• Improving lifestyle and food choices

• Reducing dependence on unhealthy processed foods

• Increasing consumption of fresh vegetables, fruits, and whole grains

• Supporting local food production and cooperatives

• Enhancing nutrition education for families and children

By adopting healthier patterns, communities can reduce malnutrition, improve public health, and strengthen long-term food security.

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