undernutrition

noun

un·​der·​nu·​tri·​tion ˌən-dər-nu̇-ˈtri-shən How to pronounce undernutrition (audio)
-nyu̇-
: deficient bodily nutrition due to inadequate food intake or faulty assimilation

Examples of undernutrition in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Stunting in Children Under Five Stunting is a form of growth failure that develops over time in children under 5 years due to chronic undernutrition and lack of access to sufficient food and healthcare. Sarah Jividen, Health, 26 Oct. 2024 One of the most common causes of niacin deficiency is undernutrition. Brittany Lubeck, Ms, Rdn, Verywell Health, 1 Aug. 2024 Half of all children who die before the age of five do so because of undernutrition. Sarah Bleich, Foreign Affairs, 4 Nov. 2020 Some recipients of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children may be turned away from stores as early as next week, said Geri Henchy, director of nutrition policy at Food Research & Action Center, a nonprofit organization for eradicating hunger and undernutrition. Laura Reiley, Washington Post, 27 Sep. 2023 Researchers also noted that improvement in reducing children’s poverty – which is specifically linked to undernutrition and lack of schooling – lagged behind gains for adults, and that better data will enhance the ability to track and intercept the conditions that contribute to poverty. Cameron Pugh, The Christian Science Monitor, 25 Aug. 2023 The risk of hypothermia and serious respiratory infections threaten children whose immune systems are often already weakened from undernutrition. Forbes, 10 Feb. 2023 The number of children grappling with various forms of undernutrition in Sri Lanka increased for the first time in at least six years in 2022, a government report and data from the health ministry indicate. Fox News, 18 Jan. 2023 Like many middle-income countries, Mexico has seen the health risks associated with overconsumption surpass the health risks of undernutrition. Greg Miller, Discover Magazine, 22 Oct. 2019

Word History

First Known Use

1876, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of undernutrition was in 1876

Dictionary Entries Near undernutrition

Cite this Entry

“Undernutrition.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/undernutrition. Accessed 17 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

undernutrition

noun
un·​der·​nu·​tri·​tion -n(y)u̇-ˈtrish-ən How to pronounce undernutrition (audio)
: deficient bodily nutrition due to inadequate food intake or faulty assimilation

called also hyponutrition

undernutritional adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on undernutrition

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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