Malnutrition Awareness Week
1st-5th October 2018

Malnutrition affects every system in the body and results in increased vulnerability to illness, increased susceptibility to further health complications and in very extreme cases even death. The vast majority (over 90%) of people who are malnourished are living in their own homes, which means that all too often the warning signs of the condition go unnoticed or unrecognised, adding to a rising burden of malnutrition within our communities.

It has become a major public health issue estimated to have cost £19.6 billion in just one year in England alone at the last estimate, which amounted to 15% of the total expenditure on health and social care. Contributing to this is a significant problem with ‘hidden’ malnutrition in the elderly. It is estimated that 1 in 10 people over the age of 65 in the UK are malnourished, or at risk of malnutrition.

By educating the public on the risk factors and possible signs and symptoms of malnutrition, we are equipping those in the community with a better ability to recognise those who are malnourished or at risk of malnutrition. An earlier identification of the condition means that people can receive the right treatment as soon as possible or prevent it happening in the first place.

With this in mind, BAPEN and the Malnutrition Task Force are collaborating, with support from the British Dietetic Association, to launch the first ever National Malnutrition Awareness Week, starting on Monday 1st October 2018. Coinciding with the International Day for Older Persons, this year’s campaign is focused on highlighting the height of the problem amongst the elderly population in the UK, and what can be done to reduce it. The campaign will also look to abolish some of the damaging myths and misconceptions that still exist around malnutrition.

BAPEN President, Dr Simon Gabe, believes the first ever UK Malnutrition Awareness Week is a milestone to be celebrated. “Malnutrition is often associated with the extreme poverty we see in the news and on the television, but the truth is that it is it can affect anyone, including our own family and friends here in the UK. Malnutrition is a major cause and consequence of poor health and older people are particularly vulnerable. Malnutrition is everyone's responsibility, each of us must make it a priority to understand the signs, symptoms and risk factors – it could even help prevent a family member or loved one suffering from this silent and hidden condition. At BAPEN we are determined that this year with our first ever Malnutrition Awareness Week we will shine a spotlight on the burden of malnutrition in the UK and highlight some of the dangerous myths and misconceptions that abound. The fact that so many people are living into late old age is a cause for celebration, but if there is no change, the prevalence of malnutrition will only increase. Living longer means little if it is not living well.”

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