Nutrition is the process of providing or obtaining the food necessary for health and growth. It is an important part of health and development, better nutrition is related to improving infant, child and maternal health, stronger immune systems, safer pregnancy and childbirth, and lower risk of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Nutrients can be divided into two categories:

•Micronutrient

•Macronutrient

Micronutrients are the nutrients the body needs in small amounts while macronutrients are the nutrients the body needs in large amounts.

What is malnutrition?

Malnutrition is a lack of proper nutrition the body needs caused by not eating the right things or not being able to use the food that one does eat. There are sicknesses caused by malnutrition. A person who is weak or sick because he does not eat the right food or does not eat enough is said to be malnourished. Poor nutrition is the cause of the following health problems:

• Loss of appetite.
• Anaemia.
• Sores in the corners of the mouth.
• Painful sore tongue.
• Burning or numbness of the feet.

How do you recognize malnutrition?

Malnutrition is most severe in children who need a lot of nutritious food to grow well and stay healthy. There are different forms of malnutrition:

• Mild malnutrition: this is the most common form but it is not always obvious. The child simply does not grow or gain weight as fast as a well-nourished child, although the child might appear small and thin but usually does not look sick, however, because the child is poorly nourished, he may lack strength, and resistance to fight infections. So he becomes more seriously ill and takes longer to get well than a well nourished child.
• Severe malnutrition: this occurs mostly in babies who weaned early or stopped breastfeeding suddenly and who are not given sufficient nutritious foods often enough. Severe malnutrition often starts when a child has diarrhoea or infections. Other forms of malnutrition include:
• Goiter from lack of iodine.
• Anaemia in people who do not get enough iron.
• Rickets from lack of vitamin D.
• Skin problems, sores on the lips and mouth or bleeding gums from not eating enough fruits, vegetables and other foods containing certain vitamins.