When we think of malnutrition, we often associate it with developing countries where people suffer from hunger and starvation. However, malnutrition is also a serious problem in the UK, affecting millions of people across all ages and backgrounds. Malnutrition is not only about not having enough food, but also about not having the right food. It means “poor nutrition” and can refer to undernutrition or overnutrition.¹
Undernutrition is when someone does not get enough nutrients, such as vitamins, minerals, protein and energy, from their diet. This can lead to weight loss, muscle wasting, infections and increased risk of death. Overnutrition is when someone gets more nutrients than they need, especially fat, sugar and salt, from their diet. This can lead to obesity, diabetes, heart disease, stroke and some cancers.¹
According to the British Medical Association, nearly 3 million people in the UK are estimated to be either living with malnutrition or at risk of it.² The number of older people over 75 years of age, who have the highest risk of malnutrition, is projected to almost double in the next 25 years.³ At the same time, over a quarter of adults and a fifth of children in the UK are obese, and many more are overweight.⁴
One of the main causes of malnutrition in the UK is the lack of access and affordability of healthy and sustainable food. Many people rely on cheap, processed and ultra-processed foods that are high in calories but low in nutrients. These foods are often heavily marketed and widely available, especially in deprived areas where there are fewer options for fresh, local and seasonal produce.⁵
The Food Foundation, a charity that works to improve the food system, estimates that 1.97 million people in the UK are undernourished, meaning they do not get enough essential nutrients from their diet. ⁶ They also report that 4.7 million children live in households that struggle to afford a healthy diet, and that 8.4 million people experience food insecurity, meaning they do not have reliable access to enough food.⁷
A balanced diet is one of the key factors to prevent and treat malnutrition. A balanced diet contains foods from the following groups: fruits, vegetables, whole grains, dairy or dairy alternatives, beans, pulses, fish, eggs, meat and other protein, and unsaturated oils and spreads. ⁸ A balanced diet provides the right amount and variety of nutrients for optimal health and wellbeing. It also helps to maintain a healthy weight and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.⁸
Malnutrition in the UK is a hidden crisis that needs urgent attention and action. By improving the food system and ensuring everyone can afford and access a healthy and sustainable diet, we can improve the health and quality of life of millions of people, and save the NHS and the economy from the rising costs of diet-related disease.⁹
¹: 8 tips for healthy eating
²: Malnutrition in England factsheet
³: Malnutrition Matters
⁴: Eating a balanced diet
⁵: 2 Hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition in the UK
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⁷: Home
⁸: Healthy diet
⁹: Healthy Eating for a Healthy Weight.