How Common Is Marasmus

Both adults and children can have marasmus, but it most often affects young children in developing countries. UNICEF estimate that nearly half of all deaths in children under the age of 5 years, or around 3 million each year, resulting from a lack of nutrition.

How many people are affected by marasmus?

There are multiple forms of malnutrition and roughly one-third of the world’s population is currently experiencing one or more of them. There are around 50 million children less than five years old who have protein-energy malnutrition.

Why is marasmus common in children?

Causes of marasmus Nutrient deficiency is the main cause of marasmus. It occurs in children that don’t ingest enough protein, calories, carbohydrates, and other important nutrients. This is usually due to poverty and a scarcity of food. There are several types of malnutrition.