Imbalanced Nutrition: Less Than Body Requirements
In this article, we will explore the NANDA nursing diagnosis “Imbalanced Nutrition: Less than Body Requirements.” This diagnosis addresses a situation where an individual’s intake of essential nutrients does not meet their body’s metabolic needs.
Imbalanced Nutrition: Less Than Body Requirements
History
The nursing diagnosis “Imbalanced nutrition: less than body requirements” was originally approved in 1975, and it has undergone revisions in the years 2000, 2017, and 2020.
These revisions have been informed by an evolving body of evidence and clinical knowledge. The current status of this nursing diagnosis is supported by a Level of Evidence rating of 2.1.
NANDA Definition of Imbalanced nutrition: less than body requirements
NANDA defines imbalanced nutrition: less than body requirements as “intake of nutrients insufficient to meet metabolic needs.”
Defining Characteristics of “Imbalanced Nutrition: Less than Body Requirements”
Defining characteristics of “Imbalanced Nutrition: Less than Body Requirements” include:
- Abdominal cramping
- Abdominal pain
- Body weight below the ideal range for age and gender
- Lack of satiety
- Poor muscle tone
- Fatigue
- Hair loss
- Dry scaly skin
- Constipation
- Delayed wound healing
- Diarrhea
- Excessive hair loss
- Food intake below recommended daily allowance (RDA)
- Hyperactive bowel sounds
- Hypoglycemia
- Inadequate head circumference growth for age and gender
- Inadequate height increases for age and gender
- Lethargy
- Neonatal weight gain of less than 30 g per day
- Pale mucous membranes
- Weight loss despite adequate food intake
Risk Factors Related to the Nursing Diagnosis of “Imbalanced Nutrition: Less than Body Requirements”
Risk Factors that are related to the nursing diagnosis of “Imbalanced Nutrition: Less than Body Requirements” include:
- Changes in taste perception
- Presence of depressive symptoms
- Difficulty with swallowing
- Aversion to food
- Presence of inaccurate information
- Inadequate availability of food
- Lack of interest in food
- Insufficient knowledge about nutrient requirements
- Injury to the buccal cavity
- Inadequate production of breast milk
- Disruption in breastfeeding
- Misinterpretation of one’s ability to ingest food
- Feeling of fullness immediately after eating
- Discomfort or soreness in the buccal cavity
- Weakened muscles necessary for swallowing
- Weakening of muscles necessary for mastication
Risk Population
Population groups that are at an increased risk for the nursing diagnosis “Imbalanced Nutrition: Less than Body Requirements” include:
- Competitive athletes
- Individuals who have been displaced from their homes
- People who are economically disadvantaged
- Individuals with limited access to education
- Premature infants
Related Medical Conditions
Medical conditions that predispose individuals to imbalance nutrition less than body requirement include:
- Body dysmorphic disorders
- Diseases affecting the digestive system
- Immunosuppression
- Kwashiorkor
- Syndromes causing malabsorption
- Mental health disorders
- Neoplasms (tumor growths)
- Neurocognitive disorders
- Parasitic infections
- Metabolic disorders
