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If people are stunted by under-nutrition in childhood, they remain
stunted in adulthood.

B. Wasting

Wasting is a condition of having low weight according to the age
of the children. Nutrient deficiency for a short period of time can
cause wasting. The children lose weight drastically and it can lead
to the death of the children.The diseases related to this type of mal-
nutrition are as follows.

a. Marasmus
Marasmus is caused due to the lack of carbohydrates in the body
for a long time. It generally occurs in children under the age of five.
Feeding inadequate food for a long period of time and lack of a bal-
anced diet are the causes of marasmus. Infectious diseases such as
diarrhea, measles, roundworm alsocause marasn1us.Getting thin,
quarreling all the time, appearing old and havinga wrinkled face,
and dry skin are the symptoms of marasmus.

b. Kwashiorkor
Marasmus is caused due to the lack of protein in the consuming
food. The main sign of kwashiorkor is too much fluid in the body's
tissues, which causes swelling under the skin. Visible loss of muscle
mass, diarrhea, weight loss, enlarged belly, and swollen face are the
symptoms of kwashiorkor. It also causes dry hair and easily falls
out. The original colour of the hair and skin can be lost. Sometimes,
red rashes appear on the skin.
C. Maras1nic Kwashiorkor

The condition of having signs and symptoms of both diseases, ma-
rasmus and kwashiorkor, is known as marasmic kwashiorkor. The
swollen body parts and drastic weight loss are the main symptoms of
it. The preventive measures of malnutrition diseases are:
a. The infant should be given exclusive breastfeeding for the first
six months.

b. Complementary feedings such as bean soup, meat and fish soup,
fruit juice, dalbhat, curry, and super flour (nutritious weaning
food) should be given to the infant after six months.

34 Health, Physical ai1d Creillive arts, grade 8