Malnutrition in the UK

Malnutrition is a major public health issue that continues to grow.  In the UK it is estimated that nearly two million people [1] and up to 40 per cent of those in hospital are suffering from malnutrition [2], placing increased pressure on health services, and costing the NHS a staggering £7.3 billion each year [3].

Despite costing the NHS roughly double that of obesity, malnutrition often has a much lower level of awareness as a health issue.  Consequently understanding of the issue can be poor, meaning the early warning signs in patients are overlooked.

Causes and implications
Often the causes of malnutrition can be linked to a reduced appetite this is a common feature in later life for many people.   Whilst the day to day impact of a reduced appetite may be minimal - possibly resulting in people opting for smaller meal portions, or perhaps skipping some meals - the long term implications can be significant.

These can include:

• Physiological factors, including increased susceptibility to illness and reduced energy and stamina
• Social factors, such as a reduction in being able to perform simple day-to-day tasks.  This can make individuals feel like they have lost a sense of independence and can have a profound effect on their subsequent quality of life

Malnutrition in the community
With a substantial proportion of malnutrition occurring in the community, healthcare professionals like you can play a key role in in early detection of this problem.

It is important you know that weight loss can affect anyone, but groups most at risk are:

• The elderly
• Those with long-term conditions 
• People recently discharged from hospital
• People recovering from surgery

Unintentional weight loss is not always immediately obvious, so pay close attention to physical appearance, especially if you have known the person for a long time.  Loose fitting clothing or jewellery can also be a sign of unintentional weight-loss.

Build-up to better

If you think someone you’re caring for is losing weight unintentionally, give them advice on enriching their diet and recommend the use of non-prescribable nutritional supplements like Build-up.  These supplements form part of a ‘food first’ approach to improve nutritional status without the need for prescribed intervention.

Nutren Build-up offers a range of great tasting, nutritionally enriched supplements, in milkshake, soup and neutral varieties, which is an ideal nutritional solution for people who are finding it difficult to eat normally because of illness or reduced appetite.  To combat taste fatigue, Build-up is available in a range of delicious flavours.  It provides a range of vitamins and minerals, together with protein and fibre, for all-round nutritional support.

Build-up can also be used to help support an appropriate prescribing policy, as it is a nutritionally enriched alternative when there is no clinical case for providing prescribed supplements.

Alternatively, you can also offer to screen people in your care for the presence of malnutrition, using MUST (the ‘Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool’).  By using MUST, you will be able to score the person's nutritional status, helping you to determine the most appropriate level of support.