Spotting and treating malnutrition

Problems associated with obesity and diabetes are well-publicised in the media, ensuring that people have some knowledge of their incidence and risk, but what percentage of the public are aware of the presence of malnutrition in the UK?

A popular misconception is that malnutrition is largely a problem for those in poorer countries. However, older people are particularly at risk. Malnutrition is a significant and neglected public health problem affecting over 10 per cent (approximately one million) of people over the age of 65.¹ Disease-related malnutrition affects over three million adults in the UK with associated health costs in excess of £13 billion per annum.² Most people at risk of malnutrition (93 per cent) are in the community.²