An abnormal nutritional state can be caused by too little or too much of one or more of the important food groups in the diet. Abnormal nutrition leads to a number of different nutritional problems. While obesity is also a form of abnormal nutrition, the term malnutrition is usually used to refer to children with undernutrition.
Children with malnutrition are not receiving adequate amounts of one or more important nutrient.
In wealthy countries, obesity is the commonest form of abnormal nutrition.