Malnutrition in hospitals: an overview

It's a national scandal: Its not new its been heavily researched for more than 5 years.

* Six out of 10 older people are at risk of becoming malnourished, or their situation getting worse, in hospital.
* Up to 14% of older people aged over 65 years in the UK are malnourished.
* Four out of 10 older people admitted to hospital are malnourished on arrival.
* Patients over the age of 80 admitted to hospital have a five times higher prevalence of malnutrition than those under the age of 50.
* Up to 50% of older people in general hospitals have mental health needs.
* Patients who are malnourished stay in hospital for a longer time, require more medications, and are more likely to suffer from infections.
* The toll of malnutrition on health and health care costs is estimated to exceed £7.3 billion per year (much more than obesity). Over half of this cost is expended on people aged 65 years and above.

Malnutrition in hospitals: an overview