The British Association for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (BAPEN) has announced a major new collaboration with the University of Southampton and NIHR Biomedical Research Centre: Southampton to deliver the most comprehensive assessment of the economic impact of undernutrition across the UK in more than a decade.
The ambitious research programme will generate new evidence on the cost of undernutrition to health and social care systems across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, providing a vital foundation for future policy, advocacy and nutritional care improvements for patients across the UK.
Undernutrition remains one of the UK’s most significant yet under-recognised public health and clinical challenges. It contributes to poorer clinical outcomes, longer hospital stays, increased complications and greater demand on health and social care services. Evidence consistently shows that identifying and treating undernutrition early can improve patient outcomes while reducing pressure on overstretched services.1
The new study will build on BAPEN’s influential 2015 report, which estimated that malnutrition in England alone cost £19.6 billion per year – equivalent to more than 15% of public expenditure on health and social care at the time.2 Ten years on, the UK’s population, patterns of ill health, models of care and economic landscape have changed significantly, creating an urgent need for contemporary evidence to reflect today’s reality.
Dr Nick Thompson, Consultant Gastroenterologist and BAPEN President, commented,
“Undernutrition affects millions of people across the UK and contributes to poorer health outcomes, increases demand on already stretched health and social care services, and has a profound impact on patients, families and carers. Yet much of the evidence currently used to demonstrate its impact is now more than a decade old.
“This new research represents an important investment in understanding the true scale of the challenge today. Robust, up-to-date evidence will strengthen the case for improving nutritional care, support policymakers and healthcare leaders, and ultimately help improve outcomes for patients across the UK. We are delighted to be working with the University of Southampton on this landmark project.”
Following a competitive tender process, the joint University of Southampton and National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Centre: Southampton team have been appointed to undertake the research. The multidisciplinary team brings together internationally recognised expertise in nutritional science, health economics, gastroenterology, geriatrics and healthcare policy.
Importantly, the findings will support ongoing efforts to ensure nutritional care is recognised as a critical component of improving population health and healthcare sustainability. The research will also align with broader ambitions around prevention, community-based care and improving patient outcomes.
Professor Philip Calder, Professor of Nutritional Immunology at the University of Southampton and NIHR Biomedical Research Centre: Southampton, commented,
“This project represents a unique opportunity to bring together the latest clinical, economic and population health data to create the most comprehensive picture of undernutrition’s impact across the UK. By examining the burden across different care settings and nations, we hope to generate evidence that is both academically rigorous and directly relevant to the real-world challenges facing health and social care services.
“The University of Southampton and our NIHR Biomedical Research Centre have a long history of leading research into nutrition and health, and we are delighted to be working with BAPEN on this important update. Ten years after the original report, there is a clear need for contemporary evidence that reflects today’s healthcare landscape and the challenges facing both patients and services.”
The research is now underway, with expected publication of the landmark report in 2027.
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About the University of Southampton
The University of Southampton drives original thinking, turns knowledge into action and impact, and creates solutions to the world’s challenges. Our academics are leaders in their fields, forging links with high-profile international businesses and organisations, and inspiring a 25,000-strong community of exceptional students, from more than135 countries worldwide. Through our high-quality education, we help students on a journey of discovery to realise their potential and join our global network of around 300,000 alumni. Visit www.southampton.ac.uk | Contact us here | Follow us on X
About the NIHR Biomedical Research Centre: Southampton
The NIHR Biomedical Research Centre: Southampton takes new discoveries, treatments and technologies into the clinic, using unique tools, facilities and world-changing expertise across five key research areas. We aim to improve people’s health and resilience throughout life, generating the next generation of improved and individually personalised treatments. We are a partnership between the University of Southampton and University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research.
About undernutrition
Undernutrition occurs when a person does not receive enough energy, protein or other nutrients to meet their body’s needs. Over time, this can negatively affect body weight, body composition, physical function and overall health leading to consequences such as anaemia, vulnerability to infection, night blindness, reduced fertility and, in some cases, heart failure.3
The term “malnutrition” can refer to both undernutrition and overnutrition (including obesity). However, this research focuses specifically on undernutrition and its impact on health and social care services across the UK.
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For more information, please contact:
| Ellie Coles | Kirsty Baldry | James Haigh |
|---|---|---|
| BAPEN Communications Officer | M+F Health, supporting BAPEN | University of Southampton media manager |
| communications@BAPEN.org.uk | kirsty.baldry@mandfhealth.com | press@soton.ac.uk |
| +44 (0)7720 969245 | +44 (0)7587175720 |
1 Malnutrition in England and how failure to prevent, detect early, and effectively treat malnutrition is impacting on the NHS. 2024. Available at https://www.bapen.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/malnutrition-submission-to-darzi-review.pdf.
2 The cost of malnutrition in England and potential cost savings from nutritional interventions. 2015. Available at https://www.bapen.org.uk/pdfs/economic-report-full.pdf.
3 What are the consequences of malnutrition? 2022. Available at https://www.bapen.org.uk/malnutrition/introduction-to-malnutrition/what-are-the-consequences-of-malnutrition/.
