Task force is working to raise awareness of malnutrition problem

LEICESTER’S Hospitals’ Nutrition and Dietetic Service are supporting the UK’s first Malnutrition Awareness week this week.

Malnutrition occurs when a person’s diet does not contain sufficient energy, protein and other important nutrients, which can result in adverse effects on the body.

It is estimated that there are three million people in the UK suffering from malnutrition, 1.3 million of whom are in the over-65 age group.

Symptoms of malnutrition include loss of appetite, weight loss – clothes, rings, jewellery, dentures may become loose, reduced ability to perform daily tasks, reduced physical performance – for example, not being able to walk as far or as fast as usual, altered mood (under nutrition can be associated with lethargy and depression) and inability to concentrate.

An independent group of experts in health, social care and local government have joined forces and formed a Malnutrition Task Force to address preventable malnutrition in older people.

They want to work with hospitals, care homes, GP surgeries and the public to spread their message far and wide, par- ticularly when the cost of malnutrition is estimated to be in the region of billions of pounds a year.

Dietitians and nutrition nurses at Leicester’s Hospitals are working with the Malnutrition Task Force to highlight that Malnutrition is everyone’s responsibility.

Cathy Steele, dietetic manager for Leicester’s Hospitals, said: “All of us, health care professionals and public alike should help to identify people who are at risk of malnutrition sooner.

“Malnutrition is completely avoidable, but sadly often associated with getting older.

“We are keen to highlight that malnutrition is not an inevitable part of getting older, and with the correct conversations and screening we can prevent it.

Malnutrition in hospital settings leads to longer recovery times and delays in getting people independent and back to their own environment, sooner rather than later.

“Let’s try to put this high on the public and Government agenda.”

Throughout the week, key themes and messages will be posted on the dietitian team’s Twitter account: @UHL_DIETITIANS.