Question about bloating in African Children and Eating disorders?

Question

You know how those children who are starving in Africa have that little belly poking out? I know it's a condition that begins with a "K" and that it's something about parasites...we discussed this in health class but it was a rather quick side note so i didn't understand it very well.

i was wondering, for those of us who are anorexic, why does it not occur? Or does it in the long run? Is it a specific illness/disorder?

Thank you :)

Answer 1

Kwashiorkor malnutrition.  It's caused by a protein deficiency.  With a lack of plasma proteins, fluid is pulled out of the cells and that swelling (called edema) occurs.  It's more associated with a very serious protein deficiency.

However, the "swollen belly" is not the worst effect of deficiencies.  Severe nutrient deficiencies that anorexics can experience sap your energy, cause hair loss, destroy your bones, stunt growth, anemia...in fact intense starvation and nutrient deficiencies can cause nasty skin conditions such as beriberi and other very dangerous symptoms.

Answer 2

The condition is called kwashiorkor. It is caused by malnutrition, not parasites. I am not sure why anorexic's do not exhibit this condition, although I have seen some advanced cases where the patient does develop a pot belly. There is a lot of debate as to why the abdomen becomes swollen, some believe chronic pancreatitis is the cause, others blame a lack of key antioxidants cause a domino effect which ends in ascites (fluid retention in the abdomen).  

Answer 3

It's called kwashiorkor. The exact reasons for why it occurs are not entirely understood, but it only occurs in young children under the age of 5 and has to do with not receiving enough protein. I imagine the reason why it doesn't occur in adults or adolescents with eating disorders has to do with changes in the body that occur after early childhood.