Nutrition

Marasmus

A severe form of childhood malnutrition caused by a serious lack of both calories and protein over a long period, leading to extreme thinness.

Real-life application

Marasmus and kwashiorkor are the two classic severe malnutrition conditions studied in Indian public health and nutrition courses.

Related terms

A condition caused by not getting the right amount of nutrients — this can mean too little food (undernutrition) or too much of the wrong food.

A severe childhood malnutrition disease caused mainly by too little protein in the diet, even if total calorie intake is close to normal.

Practise the subject behind the definition.