(ŭn″dĕr-nū-trĭsh′ŭn)
[Pronunciation]
[AS. under, beneath, + LL. nutritio, nourish]

Inadequate nutrition from any cause.

SYMPTOMS
This condition is marked by loss of body weight that begins with loss of glycogen, loss of body fat, and then proceeds to loss of protein. Vitamin, mineral, and micronutrient deficiencies are also usually present.
See: malnutrition
The term undernutrition is also used to indicate reduced caloric consumption while maintaining adequate intake of all micronutrients.