Public Nutrition

The scope of public nutrition involves addressing nutritional problems and deficiencies in the community through preventive strategies.

Some examples of nutritional problems affecting the community include undernutrition (such as protein-energy malnutrition, wasting, and stunting), overnutrition (such as obesity and related risks), nutritional anemia, vitamin A deficiency, iodine deficiency disorders, and fluorosis.

The clinical features of malnutrition related problems can vary depending on the specific deficiency or disorder. For example, protein-energy malnutrition may present with symptoms such as weight loss, fatigue, and impaired growth, while vitamin A deficiency can cause night blindness and compromised immune function.