malnutrition

American  

[mal-noo-trish-uhn, -nyoo-] / ˌmæl nuˈtrɪʃ ən, -nyu- /

noun

1. lack of proper nutrition; inadequate or unbalanced nutrition.

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malnutrition British  

/ ˌmælnjuːˈtrɪʃən /

noun

1. lack of adequate nutrition resulting from insufficient food, unbalanced diet, or defective assimilation

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malnutrition Scientific  

/ măl′no̅o̅-trĭsh′ən /

1. Poor nutrition caused by an insufficient, oversufficient, or poorly balanced diet or by a medical condition, such as chronic diarrhea, resulting in inadequate digestion or utilization of foods.

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malnutrition Cultural  

1. Inadequate nutrition caused by the lack of a balanced diet or by disorders of the digestive system in which the nutrients from food cannot be absorbed properly.

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Etymology

Origin of malnutrition

First recorded in 1860–65; mal- + nutrition

Compare meaning

How does malnutrition compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• malnutrition vs. undernutrition

Example Sentences

After assuming the presidency he launched a free meal initiative aimed at tackling child malnutrition, which he said provided nutritious food to 55 million people.

From Barron's

At the vets, it was discovered Floss was dehydrated, extremely underweight and anaemic, most likely due to the combination of malnutrition and fleas.

From BBC

International medical charity Doctors Without Borders now manages roughly one-third of Gaza's 2,300 hospital beds, while all five stabilisation centres for children suffering from severe malnutrition are supported by international NGOs.

From Barron's

She was later diagnosed with malnutrition from her poor intake of food.

From BBC

We’ve seen harrowing pictures of mass starvation and malnutrition in Africa caused by a widespread food deficit.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• hunger
• starvation