Question

Write a note on nutritional deficiency diseases.

Answer 1

Deficiency diseases:

1. Deficiency diseases are caused due to insufficient quantity of one or more nutrients in the body. This deficiency leads to weakness and vulnerability to infection in a person. The different deficiencies are as follow:-

Proteins, carbohydrates, and fats deficiency:

1. Protein-energy malnutrition ( PEM) is caused by a deficiency of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats.
2. The age group which is at most risk due to this kind of deficiency belongs to the 1-5 years old age group.
3. The commonly seen characters in those children are retarded growth of height and weight.
4. Kwashiorkor and marasmus are some of the common types of diseases caused due to protein-energy malnutrition.
5. Kwashiorkor is a deficiency disease caused due to the lack of proteins in the diet of children during the infant stage and early childhood. The commonly observed symptoms are swollen feet, lean legs, protruding abdomen, hair loss, stunted growth, diarrhea, and slow mental development.
6. Marasmus develops in children less than one-year-old due to the deficiency of proteins and carbohydrates in the diet. This disease is characterized by wrinkling dried skin, protruding ribs, and mental retardation.

Vitamin deficiency:

1. Vitamins are nutrients required for the proper functioning of the body. Deficiency of vitamins leads to impairment of fighting capabilities against diseases, weakness in the body, and lethargy.
2. Deficiency of vitamin A in the diet causes night blindness.
3. Deficiency of vitamin B₁ in the diet causes beriberi.
4. Deficiency of vitamins B₁₂ in the diet causes anemia.
5. Deficiency of vitamin C in the diet causes scurvy.
6. Deficiency of vitamin D in the diet causes rickets.
7. Deficiency of vitamin E in the diet.
8. Deficiency of vitamin K in the diet leads to excessive bleeding.

Minerals deficiency:

1. Minerals promote the growth and development of the body.
2. Deficiency of calcium in a balanced diet leads to rickets in children. It causes the bone and tooth decay.
3. Deficiency of sodium and potassium in daily diet can ultimately lead to body muscle weakness and paralysis.
4. Deficiency of phosphorus leads to bone and teeth diseases.
5. Iron deficiency in the diet causes anemia.
6. Deficiency of iodine in the diet can lead to goiter.
7. Deficiency of fluorine leads to dental decay.