The term used for structural and functional changes in an individual due to nutrient deficiencies is?

The correct choice is malnutrition, which encompasses a broad spectrum of nutrient-related issues, including both deficiencies and excesses. In the context of nutrient deficiencies, malnutrition refers to the adverse effects that result from insufficient intake of essential nutrients, leading to significant structural and functional changes in the body.

These changes can manifest as various health conditions, such as weakened immune function, impaired growth and development, or other physiological disturbances. Understanding malnutrition is crucial in public health nursing, as it highlights the importance of proper nutrition in maintaining health and preventing disease.

While the other terms can relate to issues surrounding nutrition, they do not fully capture the comprehensive implications that malnutrition does. For instance, nutritional status generally refers to the overall condition of an individual's nutritional health without necessarily indicating deficiencies. Undernutrition specifically points to inadequate intake of calories and nutrients, which is a form of malnutrition, but does not encompass excess nutrient intake or other malnutrition-related issues. Nutritional pathology describes diseases and disorders resulting from nutritional imbalances, but it is more focused on the outcomes rather than the underlying issue of nutrient deficiencies itself.