Causes of Malnutrition

Causes of malnutrition
There are many causes of malnutrition. Often many factors combine to allow malnutrition to prevail. The five main categories which we believe are the most important are physical, economical, societal, psychological and natural.

	Physical causes: Physical causes of malnutrition are those that are directy caused by direct intake and absorption of food.
	Economic causes: Economic causes of malnutrition are those that are related to monetary issues of an individual or group.
	Societal causes: Social causes of malnutrition are factors relating to the way society works and the interaction between different people.
	Psychological causes: Psychological causes of malnutrition are factors relating to the mind.
	Natural causes: Natural causes of malnutrition are factors regarding nature e.g. natural disasters.

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Individual vs Society

The causes of malnutrition can be caused by both individual and societal actions. Individually we make choices about our diets, jobs and lives. While this is true in developed countries, when we examine the causes of malnutrition on a global scale it is often the societal causes that bring on malnutrition. In many cases corrupt governments like those in Somalia illegally confiscate food aid shipments causing millions to suffer. Corrupt governments also prevent the vital development of agricultural infrastructure which would pave the way for more secure and cheaper food shipments to villages. Often individuals suffer because society fails to provide for them or deliberately destroys their livelihoods. It can also be said that as a collective individuals form a society which can become better. For this reason, people in developed countries can form together to help those with malnutrition through whatever means possible. Often charities formed from the collective wealth of first world citizens have allowed third world citizens to improve their nutrition.

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