Malnutrition and more specifically in this instance undernutrition affects every system in the body resulting in increased vulnerability to illness and increased complications. Malnutrition is not easily recognised in the early stages, particularly in patients that are overweight or obese.
Although often identified in hospital, malnutrition usually starts in the community:
- 25-34% of patients admitted to hospital are at risk of malnutrition
- 30-42% of patients admitted to care homes are at risk of malnutrition
Hence the need for appropriate screening techniques.
Page last reviewed: 10 Apr 2021
