Final answer:
Hypoproteinemia, signified by low plasma protein levels, results in digestive issues and water retention causing edema. It is characterized by swelling in body tissues (edema), and is a consequence of a decrease in colloid osmotic pressure in blood capillaries due to low albumin levels.
Step-by-step explanation:
Hypoproteinemia is a condition of unusually low levels of plasma proteins, which can have various negative effects on the body. One of the early signs of protein deficiency is indigestion and the failure of absorption of food due to a lack of digestive enzyme synthesis. This can lead to chronic diarrhea. A deficiency of plasma albumin leads to a condition known as oedema, which is characterized by water retention and swelling in body tissues. The liver's inability to synthesize albumin results in a decrease of the colloid osmotic pressure in the capillaries, causing water to move from the blood to the surrounding tissues, leading to edema.
Moreover, hypoalbuminemia is associated with several health issues including anemia, fatty liver, hepatic cirrhosis, and muscle wasting, of which kwashiorkor is a chief characteristic. Considering the options provided, hypoproteinemia is most often characterized by a) Swelling in body tissues (edema).