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malnutrition

mal-noo-TRIH-shun /ˌmælnuːˈtrɪʃən/

nounB2IELTSTOEFL

Global HealthGeneral

Lack of proper nutrition, caused by not having enough to eat, not eating enough of the right things, or being unable to use the food that one does eat.

Malnutrition can mean 'under-nutrition' (starvation) or 'over-nutrition' (obesity), as both involve a lack of proper nutrient balance.

The story behind the word. The prefix 'mal-' comes from the Latin 'malus', meaning 'bad.' Combined with 'nutrition,' it literally means 'bad nourishing.' It was first used in the 18th century to describe the poor health of sailors who didn't get enough vitamins.

Word relationships

undernourishment: Specifically refers to not getting enough food, whereas malnutrition is broader.

nourishment: The provision of the food necessary for health and growth.

Commonly confused with

starvation: Starvation is the extreme state of having no food at all; malnutrition is a lack of the right nutrients.

Word family

malnourished (adjective): Suffering from malnutrition.

Collocations

severe malnutrition
childhood malnutrition
suffer from malnutrition
address malnutrition

Example sentences

"Malnutrition is a double-edged sword, with both wasting and obesity affecting the same communities." United Nations report. (World Health Organization)
"The elderly patient showed signs of malnutrition despite having a high caloric intake." Clinical observation.

Memory hook

'Mal' is the root for 'Bad' (like Malice or Malfunction). Malnutrition = Bad Nutrition. Malnutrition: Bad fueling.

When not to use

Do not use it only for starvation; a person who eats only junk food can also suffer from malnutrition.

Fun facts

You can be overweight and still suffer from malnutrition if your diet lacks essential vitamins and minerals.