What does "malnourished" refer to?

The term "malnourished" specifically refers to a state of being where an individual has poor health or inadequate nutrition. This condition can arise from an insufficient intake of nutrients or an imbalance in the dietary composition, leading to deficiencies that affect overall health. Malnourishment can manifest in various forms, including undernourishment, where there are not enough calories or nutrients being consumed, or overnutrition, where an individual may consume excessive amounts of unhealthy foods despite appearing to have adequate caloric intake.

Understanding this term is crucial, especially in fields related to health, nutrition, and agriculture, where proper nutrient balance is key to overall wellbeing. The other options describe situations that are contrary to malnourishment, either indicating adequate or excessive nutrition rather than a lack of it.