We hear about malnutrition in the world news, but it's not just a problem in other countries.
Malnutrition is a hidden epidemic in the United States, that is under-recognized and under-treated.
Malnutrition occurs when the body doesn't get the right balance of nutrients and calories
that it needs to stay healthy.
This doesn't just happen to people who suffer from hunger, or who don't have access to healthy
food.
Malnutrition can happen to anyone.
So, who is at risk?
Older adults are at an increased risk because as we age our dietary needs can change, our
sense of taste and smell may weaken, digestive systems may slow, chewing or swallowing problems
may develop, and the ability of our bodies to absorb nutrients can decline.
People with chronic disease are also at risk.
These diseases can reduce appetite, make it physically difficult to shop, cook, and eat,
make it hard to remember to eat, and change metabolism and digestion.
And their treatment and management can require dietary restrictions, as well as medications
that cause appetite-reducing side effects.
Malnutrition can lead to hospitalization, and hospitalization itself puts people at
risk.
Surgeries and other procedures may require that patients follow restricted diets, or
not eat.
Illnesses and procedures can decrease appetite.
And people may eat less because they don't like their food choices, or are worried or
depressed.
This can all happen at a time when people may need more nutrients than usual to promote
healing and recovery.
Living in a nursing home or other long-term-care facility also raises risk.
Residents are more likely to have multiple chronic diseases and conditions that complicate
nutrient needs and the ability to eat.
They may also be socially isolated or depressed, or lack interest in food, and depend on staff
for help with eating.
The consequences of malnutrition are serious.
Without proper nutrition our bodies can't stay healthy, fight off disease, or deal with
illnesses that we already have.
It weakens our immune systems and leaves us vulnerable to infections, and slower recovery
and wound healing.
It also causes weight loss and muscle loss that can lead to frailty, falls, and broken
bones, disability, loss of independence, and complication of other diseases.
Disease-related malnutrition is often associated with protein deficiencies which can result
in loss of muscle mass and strength.
This can be very serious and cause or worsen sarcopenia, the progressive loss of skeletal
muscle as we age.
And the consequences are far-reaching.
Malnourishment while hospitalized often leads to longer stays, higher infection rates, higher
hospital readmission rates, worse outcomes, and death.
And the increased economic burden in the U.S. for disease-associated malnutrition in older
adults is more than 51 billion dollars each year.
Thankfully, malnutrition can be treated.
Involving the whole health care team in treatment is vital and may include treating the underlying
cause of malnutrition if possible, changing the diet to work around restrictions or provide
foods with more calories and protein, offering social services like in-home support, meal
delivery, community-based nutrition programs, and access to food.
People with disease-associated malnutrition, or in hospitals or institutions, may take
oral nutrition supplement drinks, for easy access to needed nutrition.
In some cases, tube feeding or IV nutrition is necessary.
With malnutrition it's important to remember that people of any body size or type--even
those who are overweight or obese--can become malnourished.
So it's not the weight alone that counts.
Healthcare professionals may not always recognize the signs of malnutrition.
The symptoms may be subtle and may be dismissed as a normal part of aging.
So start the conversation if you or a loved one experiences sudden unintended weight loss
and/or loss of appetite and decreased food intake.
Those are the two main symptoms but people who are malnourished may also experience other
symptoms.
Request a consultation with a dietitian to be sure that you are getting enough nutrients.
If you have a chronic disease that impacts your nutrition, have regular discussions with
your health care team about your nutritional status.
And be sure to ask for a nutrition plan before a hospitalization so you can make sure you
don't lose weight during your stay.
Discuss a nutrition plan for home before you are discharged so you don't lose weight during
your recovery.
The hospital dietitian can help you connect with community nutrition programs, such as
home-delivered meals and nutrition counseling.
For more information visit the following organizations on-line.
And visit the Alliance for Aging Research at www.agingresearch.org/malnutrition.