Marasmus is best described as?

• A. It is characterized by edema and fatty liver.
• B. It is characterized by severe energy deficiency with significant weight loss.
• C. It is caused by excessive carbohydrate intake.
• D. It is described by normal energy balance.

Answer: (B)

Marasmus reflects severe energy deficiency from prolonged inadequate intake, causing the body to lean on fat and muscle stores and leading to extreme weight loss and wasted appearance. This chronic calorie shortage impairs growth and overall function, so individuals appear underweight with minimal subcutaneous fat and muscle wasting. Edema is not a characteristic feature here; that would point to kwashiorkor, where protein deficiency leads to edema and fatty liver. The other scenarios—excessive carbohydrate intake or normal energy balance—do not describe this state. So the best description is severe energy deficiency with significant weight loss.