Malnutrition is a serious condition that happens when your diet does not contain the right amount of nutrients. It means "poor nutrition" and can refer to: undernutrition – not getting enough nutrients. overnutrition – getting more nutrients than needed.

Causes of malnutrition include inappropriate dietary choices, a low income, difficulty obtaining food, and various physical and mental health conditions. Undernutrition is one type of malnutrition . It occurs when the body does not get enough food.

Certain things can increase the risk of becoming malnourished.There is a misconception regarding the malnutrition.That are the people from poorest community only affected by malnutrition.But the people from poor or rich community both can be affected by malnutrition.The  causes are given below--

Some health conditions that can lead to malnutrition include:

       Long-term conditions that cause loss of appetite, feeling sick,vomitting  and/or changes in bowel habit (such as diarrhoea) – these include cancer,liver disease and some lung conditions (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases).

      Mental health conditions, such as depression or schizophrenia, which may affect person's mood and desire to eat.

       Conditions that disrupt person's ability to digest food or absorb nutrients, such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis.

       Denentia, which can cause a person to neglect their wellbeing and forget to eat.

      An eating disorder, such as anorexia.

A person can also become malnourished if his  body needs an increased amount of energy – for example, if he is healing after surgery or a serious injury such as a burn, or if he has involuntary movements such as a tremor.

Some types of medicine may also increase the risk of developing malnutrition.

Some medicines have unpleasant side effects, such as feeling  sick, losing appetite, or having diarrhoea, which could mean that eat less or do not absorb as many nutrients from food.

      Teeth that are in poor condition, or dentures that do not fit properly, which can make eating difficult or painful.

     A physical disability or other impairment that makes it difficult to move around, cook or shop for food.

     Living alone and being socially isolated

     Having limited knowledge about nutrition or cooking

     Alcohol or drug dependency

     Low income or poverty

     lead to a lack of appetite

     Disrupt digestion

     Increase the body's demand for energy

There are some conditions include childhood cancers, congenital heart disease, cystic fibrosis and cerebral palsy.These may also causes malnutrition.

Some children may become malnourished because of an eating disorder or a behavioural or psychological condition that means they avoid or refuse food.