If you're underfed, you don't eat as much food as you need to stay healthy. When people are underfed for a long time, they become very thin and ill — you can also say they're malnourished or even starving. Animal rescue groups regularly take in underfed dogs and cats that need to be nursed back to health.
What are the signs of being malnourished?
Other symptoms of malnutrition include:
- reduced appetite.
- lack of interest in food and drink.
- feeling tired all the time.
- feeling weaker.
- getting ill often and taking a long time to recover.
- wounds taking a long time to heal.
- poor concentration.
- feeling cold most of the time.
What happens to your body when you are malnourished?
Malnutrition refers to overnutrition and undernutrition. People who are undernourished may experience weight loss, fatigue and mood changes or develop vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Overnutrition can lead to overweight, obesity and inadequate micronutrient intakes and deficiencies.
