Emaciation

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Emaciation

This photo taken in 1972 shows an emaciated child in India suffering from marasmus
MeSH	D004614

Emaciation (pronounced /ɨˌmeɪʃiːˈeɪʃən/ or ɨˌmeɪsiːˈeɪʃən) occurs when an organism loses substantial amounts of much needed fat and often muscle tissue, making that organism look extremely thin. The cause of emaciation is a lack of nutrients from starvation or disease.

Many women (and some men) have targeted the emaciation look, and such is the result of eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia. The shape of the bones in a severely-emaciated person is distinguishable, the shoulder blades are prominently sharp, and the ribs and spine can be clearly seen, while the arms and legs are not significantly wider than the bones that support them. Death may occur.

Although this condition can be acquired by humans deliberately, it is often also the case of many starving animals and peoples across the planet due to lack of food or unsanitary living conditions.

See also

• Starvation
• Cachexia
• Marasmus
• Kwashiorkor

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