why photos of malnourished have bloated stomachs

[matt66]

why do photos of malnourished people (especially children) from famine areas have bloated stomachs.

[RATTER15]

I believe it is due to the stomach producing gas.

[Goodsoulette]

There are three things that cause the appearance of a distended stomach in these children. If you google kwashiorkor, you might find a laymans guide.

Basically, its lots of fluids and gases building up.

Parasites (big worms living in the stomach and intestine)

and a fatty liver (as the body desperately tries to store some remaining fat as the body breaks down muscle for energy when starving).

Its lack of protein that causes this, and once a child has it there its something like a 75 percent death rate and if they survive a range of health problems can happen physically and mentally.

[VS Prasad]

But someone can become malnourished for reasons that have nothing to do with hunger. People who have plenty to eat may still be malnourished if they don't eat food that provides the right nutrients, vitamins, and minerals.

For example, someone with celiac disease has intestinal problems that are triggered by a protein called gluten, which is found in wheat, rye, barley, and oats. Celiac disease can interfere with the intestine's ability to absorb nutrients, which may result in nutritional deficiencies.
People with cystic fibrosis have trouble absorbing nutrients because the disease affects the pancreas, an organ that normally produces chemical substances called enzymes that are necessary for digesting food.

The signs and symptoms of malnutrition depend on which nutritional deficiencies a person has, although they can include:

# poor immune function (which can cause the body to have trouble fighting off infections)
# poor growth
# muscle weakness
# bloated stomach (mostly in severe cases)

https://www.studentresources.net/college/healthzone/PageManager.aspx?dn=studenthealthzone&lic=180&cat_id=20323&article_set=34892&ps=604

Most people with CF need to take enzymes to replace the pancreatic secretions that help digest food. These enzymes are taken with every meal...If a person forgets to take their enzymes, they can have side effects from malabsorption. These include gas, bloating, stomach cramps...

http://www.uams.edu/pediatrics/cf/nutrition.as p