Undernutrition stems from a complex interplay of factors operating at different levels. Ultimately, the causes can be traced back to inadequate dietary intake and diseases, but several underlying and basic issues contribute to these immediate causes.
Immediate Causes
- Inadequate dietary intake: This refers to not consuming enough food, or not consuming enough of the right kinds of food to meet nutritional needs.
- Diseases: Infections and illnesses can impair nutrient absorption, increase nutrient loss, and decrease appetite.
Underlying Causes
According to the reference, these immediate causes are fueled by:
- Food insecurity: Lacking reliable access to sufficient, affordable, and nutritious food.
- Inadequate care for women and children: Improper feeding practices, lack of access to healthcare, and insufficient attention to women's nutritional needs, especially during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
- Insufficient health services: Limited access to essential healthcare services, including vaccinations, treatment for infections, and nutritional counseling.
- Unsanitary environments: Poor sanitation and hygiene practices lead to increased risk of infections and diseases, exacerbating undernutrition.
Basic Causes
These underlying issues themselves are driven by more fundamental, systemic problems:
- Poverty: Lack of financial resources to purchase nutritious food and access healthcare.
- Inadequate education: Lack of knowledge about proper nutrition and hygiene practices.
- Gender inequality: Disparities in access to resources and decision-making power for women.
- Inadequate infrastructure: Lack of access to clean water, sanitation, and transportation.
- Conflict: Disruptions in food production and distribution, displacement of populations, and increased poverty.
In summary, undernutrition isn't just about a lack of food; it's a multifaceted problem rooted in poverty, inequality, and lack of access to essential resources and services.
