malnutrition

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "malnutrition" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to a lack of proper nutrition, or a lack of essential nutrients that can lead to poor health. For example, "The prevalence of malnutrition is especially high in developing countries."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Luxury tourist travel in a country with widespread problems with poverty and malnutrition can sit uncomfortably with some, but Griffin points out that this would be a difficult dilemma to address had he been a tourist in any developing country.

The Guardian

In a single morning, they cover the ground – malaria prevention, the virtues of breastfeeding, malnutrition screening and vaccination.

The Guardian

Gricelda and Domitilia are both malnourished – Domitilia from severe acute malnutrition known as kwashiorkor, and Gricelda from chronic malnutrition.

The Guardian

Gricelda, says Luke Johnson, the clinic founder and manager, was just 'weeks away from her organs shutting down.' Gricelda has chronic malnutrition and is 'stunted'stunted

The Guardian

Random nutritional surveys of children aged from birth to nine-years-old are being undertaken at health clinics and primary schools to determine whether malnutrition has spiked.

The Guardian

Related: Magic mash: reducing child malnutrition with sweet potatoes But wholegrain cereals isn't the only answer.

The Guardian

Ownership by those most affected by malnutrition is necessary for the challenge to be successful, rather than just leading with a top-down approach.

The Guardian

The World Bank, with the UN and the World Health Organisation (WHO), is urgently assessing how to make emergency food deliveries, or the organisations face the danger of a deepening health crisis from malnutrition and the spread of other diseases, he said.

The Guardian

Achieving food security and combating malnutrition in the developing world also depends on improving the nutrient density of the crops.

The Guardian

Paneru says the programme has been successful, with only 7% of cases that relapse into malnutrition.

The Guardian

Rajkumar Mahato, programme manager for health and nutrition at Save the Children Nepal, says many people are unaware of the challenge and the government needs to consult with communities where malnutrition is particularly prevalent.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "malnutrition" to refer to both undernutrition (deficiency of nutrients) and overnutrition (excess of nutrients), depending on your context. Be clear to avoid confusion.

Common error

Avoid using "malnutrition" and "hunger" interchangeably. "Hunger" refers to the sensation of needing to eat, while "malnutrition" describes the condition resulting from deficiencies or excesses in nutrient intake over time.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "malnutrition" is as a noun. It refers to a condition resulting from deficiencies or excesses in nutrient intake. Ludwig AI confirms its use in describing health and societal issues.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Formal & Business

32%

Science

32%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "malnutrition" functions as a noun describing inadequate or unbalanced nutrition, with Ludwig AI confirming its correct usage. It is a very common term, employed across neutral to formal registers and particularly prevalent in news, business, and scientific contexts. When writing about "malnutrition", precision is key; differentiate it from "hunger", and be specific about the population and context. Consider related terms like "undernourishment" or "nutrient deficiency" for nuanced meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

undernourishment

Focuses specifically on insufficient intake of nutrients.

undernutrition

Emphasizes the state of not receiving enough nutrients.

nutrient deficiency

Highlights the lack of specific essential nutrients.

poor nutrition

A broader term indicating a generally inadequate diet.

inadequate nourishment

Stresses the insufficiency of the food provided.

dietary insufficiency

Indicates a lack of sufficient elements in the diet.

food deprivation

Highlights the lack of access to food.

starvation

Refers to extreme and prolonged lack of food.

wasting

Focuses on the physical decline due to severe undernourishment.

hunger

A general term for the discomfort or weakness caused by lack of food.

FAQs

How can I use "malnutrition" in a sentence?

You can use "malnutrition" to describe a state of poor nutrition, such as: "The study revealed a high rate of "malnutrition" among children in the region", or "Addressing "malnutrition" requires a multi-faceted approach".

What's the difference between "undernutrition" and "malnutrition"?

"Undernutrition" specifically refers to a deficiency in nutrients. "Malnutrition" is a broader term that includes both undernutrition and overnutrition (excessive intake of nutrients), leading to health problems.

What are some common causes of "malnutrition"?

Common causes of "malnutrition" include poverty, food insecurity, lack of access to healthcare, inadequate dietary intake, and certain medical conditions that affect nutrient absorption.

What can I say instead of "malnutrition" to describe inadequate nutrition?

Depending on the specific context, you could use "undernourishment", "undernutrition", "nutrient deficiency", or "poor nutrition".