Ace the CRNI Challenge 2026 – Infuse Your Career with Success!

Marasmus is the term that describes a condition resulting from both protein deficiency and total calorie insufficiency. It is characterized by extreme weight loss, muscle wasting, and a significant reduction in body fat. This form of malnutrition is often observed in individuals who do not consume sufficient energy in the form of calories, leading to an overall depletion of nutritional stores.

In the context of nutrition, marasmus typically occurs in children and can arise due to various factors, including poverty, lack of food availability, or chronic illnesses that impair the ability to absorb nutrients. The key aspect of marasmus is the overall energy deficit, which encompasses both protein and calorie shortages, leading to serious health complications.

Other terms such as Kwashiorkor refer specifically to protein deficiency typically in the presence of sufficient caloric intake, whereas malnutrition is a broader term encompassing any deficiency or excess of nutrients. Obesity, on the other hand, is not associated with nutritional deficiencies but rather with an excess of calorie intake. Therefore, focusing on the specific combination of both protein deficiency and total calorie insufficiency leads to the correct identification of marasmus.