Malnutrition is defined as:

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BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

In this question, we are asked to define malnutrition. The provided answer states: 'Those who do not get proper nutrition, whether too little, too much, or the wrong kind.'

First, examine what malnutrition means in a broad health context. Malnutrition encompasses any imbalance in a person’s nutrient intake, which includes undernutrition (not enough nutrients), overnutrition (too many nutrients, often calories leading to overweight or obesity), and the consumption of nutrients in inappropriate proportions or wrong types for an individual’s needs.

Next, consider the phrasing 'those who do not get proper nutrition.' This captures the essential idea that malnutrition is not limited to a single deficiency. It includes insufficient intake, excessive intake, and poor-quality diets that fail to meet the body's requirements for growth, maintenance, and function.

Now, evaluate the components: 
- Undernutrition: not getting enough calories or essential nutrients can lead to wasting, stunting, or micronutrient deficiencies. This aligns with the notion of not getting proper nutrition. 
- Overnutrition: consuming too many calories or excessive amounts of certain nutrients can cause obesity and related health issues, which also falls under malnutrition when the diet is inappropriate for health needs.
- Wrong kind of nutrition: consuming nutrients in the wrong balance or selecting foods with poor nutritional quality further supports malnutrition, even if total calories are adequate.

Alternative interpretations that are sometimes tempting to consider include viewing malnutrition as a single deficiency (e.g., only vitamin A deficiency) or as a purely starvation-based condition. However, these views are too narrow and do not reflect the comprehensive definition that malnutrition covers multiple dimensions of nutrient intake.

In summary, the statement provided aligns with the widely accepted definition of malnutrition, as it recognizes nutritional problems arising from insufficient, excessive, or inappropriate nutrient intake rather than attributing malnutrition to a single cause or deficit.

GLBH20_WI25_A00 Midterm

Malnutrition is defined as:

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