Which statement describes marasmus?

Which statement describes marasmus?

• A. Edema with preserved muscle tissue
• B. Rapid weight gain with fat redistribution
• C. Loss of bone density without fat loss
• D. Gradual wasting of body fat and somatic muscle with preservation of visceral proteins

Answer: (D)

Marasmus reflects severe, long‑term energy deficiency, where the body wastes its somatic tissues first. With insufficient calories, fat stores are used up and muscle mass declines, leading to gradual wasting of both body fat and somatic (skeletal) muscle. Meanwhile, visceral protein stores (like those in the liver) are relatively preserved, so edema from low plasma protein isn’t typical. This combination—marked loss of fat and muscle with preserved visceral proteins—is what characterizes marasmus. The other descriptions don’t fit: edema with preserved muscle points toward kwashiorkor, rapid weight gain with fat redistribution isn’t malnutrition, and loss of bone density without fat loss doesn’t describe this energy‑deficiency pattern.

Marasmus reflects severe, long‑term energy deficiency, where the body wastes its somatic tissues first. With insufficient calories, fat stores are used up and muscle mass declines, leading to gradual wasting of both body fat and somatic (skeletal) muscle. Meanwhile, visceral protein stores (like those in the liver) are relatively preserved, so edema from low plasma protein isn’t typical. This combination—marked loss of fat and muscle with preserved visceral proteins—is what characterizes marasmus.

The other descriptions don’t fit: edema with preserved muscle points toward kwashiorkor, rapid weight gain with fat redistribution isn’t malnutrition, and loss of bone density without fat loss doesn’t describe this energy‑deficiency pattern.