Malnutrition

Malnutrition is a general term for the condition in which a person either has too little food, or is missing important nutrients.

Most commonly, malnourished people either do not have enough calories in their diet, or are eating a diet that lacks protein, vitamins, or trace minerals. Medical problems arising from malnutrition are commonly referred to as deficiency diseases. Scurvy is a well-known and now rare form of malnutrition, in which the victim lacks vitamin C.

See also: famine, anorexia nervosa