Which of the following is NOT considered an underlying cause of malnutrition?

The underlying causes of malnutrition primarily focus on factors that contribute to insufficient access to adequate nutrition rather than immediate health issues that might result from malnutrition itself. Adequate food supply, income levels, and environmental conditions directly affect individuals' ability to obtain and consume nutritious food.

While the presence of infections and diseases can certainly worsen the nutritional status of an individual by affecting their ability to absorb nutrients or increasing nutritional needs, it is not classified as an underlying cause of malnutrition. Instead, it is often seen as a consequence or a contributing factor that compounds existing nutritional deficiencies. Understanding malnutrition also involves recognizing how systemic issues—such as food security, economic stability, and sanitation—create environments conducive to malnutrition. Thus, the focus on factors like food availability, income, and sanitation reflects the root causes of the issue, rather than the health problems that may arise as a result.