Three million people in the UK are believed to be suffering from, or at risk of, malnutrition, according to nutritional experts.

The scale of the problem is thought to be costing taxpayers £13bn per year and calls for GPs to do more have come from the British Association for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (BAPEN).

The report studied previous research into malnutrition in places such as care homes, hospitals, mental health homes and sheltered housing. Of the estimated three million malnourished, 93% were in private or sheltered housing, 5% in care and 3% in NHS hospitals or settings.

Elderly people with chronic conditions were the highest risk of malnutrition but poverty and isolation were also major factors.

BAPEN have been campaigning for better nutrition and their pressure has led to better food in hospitals and care homes. They now want GPs to do more although GPs have stated that they already do.

Official screening guidelines should be used to measure height, weight and recent weight loss to provide a malnutrition risk. BAPEN claim that routine checks are not being carried out and want ministers to give GPs incentives to do so.

Malnutrition costs the NHS somewhere in the region of £13bn due to patients having to stay in care for longer, visiting GPs more frequently and being more susceptible to infections.

A spokesperson from the association said the time has come for GPs and pharmacists to be involved with community screening. They also called on transport planners to improve routes to supermarkets.

Malnutrition, particularly among the elderly, is too often overlooked. Better education about nutrition and improved screening is required.

The Department of Health however believe that, overall, people in England are getting healthier with life expectancy the highest it’s ever been, even in areas that are seen as disadvantaged.

Whether people are living longer or not, the question remains…are we living healthily? Modern medicine may be keeping us alive, but are we leading healthy happy lives?

The importance of the right nutrition should never be underestimated. Getting the correct advice about what to eat can make all the difference to a long and healthy life.

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