undernutrition

American  

[uhn-der-noo-trish-uhn, -nyoo-] / ˌʌn dər nuˈtrɪʃ ən, -nju- /

noun

1. nutritional deficiency resulting from lack of food or from the inability of the body to convert or absorb it.

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Etymology

Origin of undernutrition

First recorded in 1895–1900; under- + nutrition

Compare meaning

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

• malnutrition vs. undernutrition

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

undernutrition

Their immune systems are generally weaker, especially if undernutrition is in the mix.

From Slate ● Aug. 23, 2024

A new tool developed at the University of Virginia School of Medicine will help doctors and scientists better understand and overcome childhood undernutrition that contributes to almost half of all deaths of children under 5.

From Science Daily ● May 10, 2024

Being overweight, even obese, does not protect against undernutrition.

From Salon ● Feb. 13, 2024

More than 43.4% of the country's children under 5 years of age are suffering from nutrition problems, according to the report released in October, with 42.9% suffering from some form of undernutrition.

From Reuters ● Jan. 18, 2023

The cereal may furnish half the fuel value of the diet, partly bread-stuffs and partly in some of the other ways as suggested, without any danger of undernutrition.

From Everyday Foods in War Time by Rose, Mary Swartz