Category Common presentations of undernutrition Cause
A. Marasmus, a disease characterized by stunting (severe calorie malnutrition) Insufficient height gain relative to age, long-term malnutrition, and poor health
B. Wasting Insufficient weight gain relative to height, recent history of losing weight/acute malnutrition
C. Underweight (severe protein malnutrition); loss of muscle is masked by fluid retention Insufficient weight gain relative to age or losing weight; and kwashiorkor
D. Combinations of stunting and wasting Insufficient weight gain due to protein-calorie undernutrition
Table 1: Common presentations of severer macro-nutrient (protein-energy) undernutrition.