Nutricion

Basic Definitions

Malnutrition

[1] A broad term for a range of conditions that hinder good health, caused by inadequate or unbalanced food intake or from poor absorption of food consumed. Refers to both undernutrition and overnutrition - conditions of both deprivation and excess.

Undernutrition

[2] The result of prolonged low level of food intake and/or low absorption of food consumed. Generally applied to energy (or protein and energy) deficiency, but may also relate to vitamin and mineral deficiencies brought on by a failure to maintain body stores of these nutrients.

Undernourishment

[3] The status of persons whose food intake regularly provides less than their minimum energy requirements. Individuals whose food intakes consistently fall below their energy requirements are considered to be in a state of undernourishment.

Chronically undernourished

[4] Those whose estimated annual energy intake falls below that required to maintain body weight and support light activity.

Micronutrient deficiency

[5] Lack of essential vitamins and minerals resulting from unbalanced food intake and specific problems of absorption of food consumed.

Micronutrient malnutrition

[6] Refers to vitamin and mineral deficiency disorders. Often occurs as part of general undernutrition due primarily to overall inadequate food intakes (through poor access to foods that are good sources of these nutrients or poor dietary habits).

Overnutrition

[7] Result of excessive food intake in relation to energy requirements.

Energy requirements

[8] Are determined by body size, activity level and physiological conditions such as illness, infection, pregnancy and lactation.

Food security

[9] Exists when all people at all times have both physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs for an active and healthy life.

Food insecurity

[10] Exists when people lack access to sufficient amounts of safe and nutritious food, and therefore are not consuming enough for an active and healthy life. This may be due to the unavailability of food, inadequate purchasing power, or inappropriate utilization at household level.

Adapted from:

FAO and the FMFH Partners (2006). Basic Definitions. Recovered on

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