What type of malnutrition are hyperglycemia, hypermetabolism and lipolysis characteristics of?

• A. Starvation-related malnutrition
• B. Malnutrition due to chronic disease
• C. Stress-related malnutrition
• D. Under-nutrition

Answer: (C)

This triad—hyperglycemia, hypermetabolism, and lipolysis—is seen when the body mounts a strong stress response to illness or injury. In this state, hormones such as catecholamines and cortisol surge, boosting energy needs and shifting substrate use. The liver increases glucose production and tissues become less responsive to insulin, which raises blood glucose levels. At the same time, the body accelerates breakdown of muscle protein and fat stores to supply amino acids and fatty acids for energy and for supporting the immune and healing processes. Together, these features define the stress-related malnutrition pattern, reflecting an acute, inflammatory, catabolic state.

Starvation-related malnutrition, by contrast, typically features a downregulated metabolism with adaptation to conserve energy, and glucose may remain low or normal rather than persistently elevated. Malnutrition due to chronic disease involves ongoing inflammation and catabolism, but the specific combination of hyperglycemia with hypermetabolism and active lipolysis is most characteristic of the acute stress response. Under-nutrition is a general term that doesn’t capture this distinct metabolic response.