Malnutrition
Malnutrition means poor nutrition. Most commonly this is caused by not eating enough (undernutrition) or not eating enough of the right food to give your body the nutrients it needs.
A balanced diet should provide enough nutrients like calories, protein and vitamins, to keep you healthy. Without this, you may not be getting all the nutrients you need and this can lead to malnutrition.
Malnutrition can result in:
- unplanned weight loss
- muscle loss
- a low body mass index (BMI)
- vitamin and mineral deficiencies
This can leave you feeling tired, weak and affect your ability to recover from an illness.
Symptoms of malnutrition
Malnutrition can be difficult to recognise. It can happen very gradually, which can make it very difficult to spot in the early stages.
Common signs and symptoms of malnutrition include:
- loss of appetite and lack of interest in food or fluids
- unplanned weight loss - this might cause clothing, rings, watches or dentures to become loose
- tiredness or low energy levels
- reduced ability to perform everyday tasks like showering, getting dressed or cooking
- reduced muscle strength – for example, not being able to walk as far or as fast as usual
- changes in mood which might cause feelings of lethargy and depression
- poor concentration
- poor growth in children
- increased risk of infection, recurrent infections, taking longer to recover and poor wound healing
- difficulty keeping warm
- dizziness
Non-urgent advice: Speak to your GP if:
- you have any of the symptoms of malnutrition
- you notice a drop in weight or you've lost weight without trying
Conditions that cause malnutrition
Sometimes, medical conditions cause your body to need more nutrients. Some medical conditions can lead to your body being unable to absorb or use nutrients. These may include:
- cancer and liver disease that can cause a lack of appetite, persistent pain or nausea
- COPD, pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema, which cause your body to need more nutrients but can reduce your appetite
- mental health conditions, like depression or schizophrenia, which may affect your ability to look after yourself
- Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis or cystic fibrosis that disrupt your body’s ability to digest food or absorb nutrients
- burns, fractures and post major surgery, due to increased demand for nutrients
- dementia – people with dementia may be unable to communicate their needs, may use up a lot of calories pacing or may experience a loss of appetite
- dysphagia – a condition that makes swallowing difficult or painful
- persistent vomiting or diarrhoea
Some types and combinations of medication can increase your risk of developing malnutrition. Always check your medicines information and speak to a healthcare professional for advice if you have a concern. Do not stop taking your medication without advice from a healthcare professional.
Other causes of malnutrition
Physical, social and ageing issues can also cause malnutrition.
Diagnosing malnutrition
A healthcare professional can assess you for malnutrition using a screening tool like ‘Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool’ (‘MUST’).
Treating malnutrition
If you've lost weight or your appetite is poor, you can make simple changes to your meals, snacks and drinks to help treat malnutrition.
Choosing nutrient-dense food and drinks can help improve your calorie intake. This might not be suitable for everyone, especially those with other conditions like dysphagia. Ask your GP, dietitian or nurse for further advice if you're unsure.
You should speak to a healthcare professional if you've had to limit the fat and sugar you eat in the past due to a health condition like high cholesterol or diabetes.
Ways to increase your calories
Try the following ideas to help you to increase the amount of calories and protein in your diet.
Do
- eat ‘little and often’ – 3 small meals a day with 2-3 snacks in-between meals
- include protein like meat, fish, chicken, eggs, beans or lentils in each meal
- add high calorie ingredients like full cream milk, cheese, butter, ghee, olive oil and cream to meals and drinks
- include puddings after your lunch and dinner like creamy yoghurts, custards, rice pudding, milk puddings or ice-cream
- try ready meals if you don’t feel like cooking
- choose nourishing milky drinks like malted drinks, hot chocolate, milky coffee and milkshakes
- choose high sugar drinks like fruit juice, smoothies, fizzy drinks or squash (you can also add egg powder to juice to increase its nutrients)
- try including 1 pint of full cream milk each day – you can fortify (add extra nutrients to) this by adding 4 tablespoons of dried milk powder – and use this in drinks, cooking, cereals and puddings
Don't
- do not have drinks just before meals because this can make you feel fuller quicker
- do not choose low fat, sugar-free, diet foods and drinks – for example skimmed milk
If you're using vegan alternatives to cheese, butter, cream or milk, try to choose the highest calorie option.
How to add extra nutrients to milk (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzAAlRWyP8o)
Watch this video to find out how to fortify your milk with milk powder. You can then use this instead of your usual milk.
How to add extra nutrients to juice (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUavLcUof20)
Watch this video to find out how to fortify your juice using egg powder.
Easy ways to fortify your food
There are ways you can use every day food and drinks to fortify (add extra nutrients to) your food.
Food fortification video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOKG-WTtusM)
Watch this video for ideas of how to add extra nutrients to your food.
The British Dietetic Association (BDA) Malnutrition factsheet provides more useful practical advice.
Watch this video on Vimeo for more tips on how to fortify your food
Oral nutritional supplements
Oral nutritional supplements (ONS) are a range of liquid and powder products that help support better nutrition.
They contain calories, protein, vitamins and minerals to help increase your intake. They're designed to be taken alongside your diet and the ‘food first’ advice above to promote progress with your weight.
Tube feeding (enteral feeding)
Depending on how severe your symptoms are, your healthcare professional might recommend a “feeding tube”.
There are different types of tubes. Which one is best for you depends on your diagnosis and symptoms.
The most common types of feeding tube include:
- nasogastric – through your nose and into your stomach
- nasojejunal – though your nose and further into your digestive tract
- percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) - a tube is placed directly into the stomach via your abdomen
Depending on your condition alternative routes of nutrition may be considered.
