What term describes the condition resulting from insufficient amounts of proteins and calories?

The condition resulting from insufficient amounts of proteins and calories is best described as marasmus. This form of malnutrition is characterized by an overall energy deficiency, where both calorie and protein intake are critically low. Individuals suffering from marasmus display significant weight loss, muscle wasting, and a general lack of energy.

Marasmus is typically seen in situations where there is a severe scarcity of food; hence, the body utilizes its fat and muscle stores for energy, leading to extreme thinness. The defining feature of this condition is that it arises when the body does not receive enough total calories as well as insufficient protein, making it distinct from other malnutrition conditions which might focus solely on protein deficiency or have a different etiology.

In contrast, kwashiorkor specifically refers to protein deficiency despite adequate caloric intake, obesity pertains to excessive calorie intake, while anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by self-imposed starvation and a fear of weight gain. Thus, marasmus is the appropriate term for the condition defined by both protein and calorie insufficiency.