Question

stunted growth swelling of face discoloration of hate skin diseases and diarrhoea are the symptoms of
a) protein deficiency
b) fat deficiency
c) imbalance diet
d) both a and c​

Answer 1

Deficiency diseases are caused when some critical nutrient is absent in the diet or is available in highly reduced amounts. For example, Kwashiorkor and Marasmus are common protein deficiency diseases. Kwashiorkor is a protein deficiency disease which commonly affects infants and children between 1 to 3 year of age. The symptoms are underweight children, stunted growth, poor brain development loss of appetite, anemia, dermatitis on lower leg and face. The proteins are necessary for growth, repair of tissue and for body defense, therefore, the adequate amount of proteins must be present in the diet. The daily requirement is 1 gm protein per kg. body weight in adult and 2 gm protein per kg body weight in growing children. Sources of proteins in food are cereals, pulses, meat, fish, milk, groundnut, peas etc. Marasmus is caused by protein-energy-malnutrition (PEM) or deficiency of protein. The symptoms are impaired physical growth, subcutaneous fat disappears, ribs become very prominent, limbs become thin and skin becomes dry, thin and wrinkled and loss of weight occurs. The cure is diet with adequate proteins and proper caloric value should be given.