The most common symptom of malnutrition is unplanned weight loss. If you lose 10 per cent of your body weight in the course of three months and are not dieting, it could be a sign that you are malnourished.

Other symptoms include:

• lack of strength or energy to undertake routine activities, or poor physical performance
• lack of energy and breathlessness
• changes to skin and nails

Things to look out for in children include:

• inability to concentrate or becoming unusually irritable
• failure to grow to their expected adult height (stunted growth)

Who is affected?

Around one in four people who are admitted to hospital in the UK are found to be malnourished.

High risk groups include those:

• over 65, particularly those in a care or nursing home.
• with long-term conditions such as diabetes or kidney disease.
• with cancer.
• who abuse drugs and/or alcohol.
• on low incomes.

Facts and figures about malnutrition

• Around one million over 65s in the UK are malnourished or at risk of malnutrition.
• Depression or anxiety, social exclusion, poor access to transport, mobility difficulties, poverty and dental problems can all contribute to malnutrition.
• The vast majority – 93% – are living in the community. 5% in care homes. 2% in hospitals.
• People who are malnourished see their GP twice as often, have 3 times the number of hospital admissions and stay in hospital more than 3 days longer.
• Early identification and treatment of malnutrition in adults could save the NHS £45.5 Million a year even after costs of training and screening.