What condition results from a lack of essential nutrients?

The term that refers to a condition resulting from a lack of essential nutrients is nutrient deficiency. This condition occurs when the body doesn't receive the necessary vitamins, minerals, proteins, or other nutrients required for proper function, leading to various health issues. Common examples of nutrient deficiencies include vitamin C deficiency resulting in scurvy or iron deficiency leading to anemia.

While malnutrition is also related to inadequate nutrient intake, it encompasses a broader spectrum, including both deficiencies and imbalances in nutrient intake. Nutrient toxicity, on the other hand, is the result of excessive intake of nutrients, which can lead to harmful effects. Metabolic disorders involve issues with the body's biochemical processes and may not directly stem from a lack of essential nutrients. Hence, nutrient deficiency is the most specific answer to describe the outcome of insufficient nutrient intake.