Final answer:
Overweight and obesity are the most common nutritional disorders in the United States, with obesity associated with an excess accumulation of fat and possible development of type 2 diabetes. Eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are prevalent, particularly among females, and can lead to significant health issues like electrolyte imbalance and malnutrition. Undernutrition in children, manifesting as kwashiorkor with a distended abdomen, is typically due to severe protein deficiency.
Step-by-step explanation:
Overweight and obesity are the two most common nutritional disorders in the United States. Obesity is a growing global health threat and is characterized by an excess accumulation of fat tissue which can lead to health concerns, including type 2 diabetes. On the other hand, malnutrition refers to both undernutrition and overnutrition, the former leading to conditions like kwashiorkor and marasmus, while the latter can contribute to obesity.
Eating Disorders
Eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder are significant health issues in the United States, particularly among teens and young adults, with females being more affected than males. Anorexia nervosa is marked by the consumption of very little food and excessive exercise, leading to dangerous underweight and malnutrition. Bulimia nervosa involves episodes of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors and can result in an electrolyte imbalance. Binge eating disorder, which is used only once in the list of disorders, is associated with the risk of developing type 2 diabetes due to excessive food intake without proper compensatory measures.
Undernutrition Syndromes
In cases of undernutrition, a distended abdomen typically suggests kwashiorkor, which is caused by a severe protein deficiency, resulting in an imbalance in the osmotic pressure within the gastrointestinal system. Marasmus, conversely, is characterized by a more generalized deficiency of calories and proteins, leading to severe wasting and muscle atrophy.