In light of Malnutrition Awareness Week, it’s important to remember that malnutrition isn’t just about eating too little. It refers to any deficiency, excess or imbalance of energy, protein and other nutrients.
Nearly half of adults screened in UK healthcare settings are at risk of malnutrition. While it’s most common in older adults and those with chronic illnesses, many people in the community, despite consuming sufficient calories, lack key nutrients for good health.
A recent UK survey sheds light on this:
- Fewer than 1 in 5 adults eat the recommended 5 portions of fruit and vegetables each day
- 82% of adults consume more saturated fat than recommended
- Nearly all adults (96%) do not eat enough fibre
- 18% of adults are deficient in vitamin D
Increasingly, malnutrition is seen in individuals living with overweight and obesity, often driven by diets high in calories but low in nutrients.
What Causes Malnutrition?
Malnutrition can result from:
- Inadequate nutrient intake
- Increased nutritional needs due to illness (e.g. cancer)
- Impaired nutrient absorption or increased losses (e.g. Inflammatory Bowel Disease)
The consequences of malnutrition are wide-ranging, affecting immune function, fertility, muscle health, and recovery from illness or treatment. It also carries a significant economic cost – an estimated £19.6 billion per year in the UK.
GLP-1s and Nutritional Challenges
The growing use of GLP-1 medications has raised concerns around muscle loss and nutrient deficiencies as a result of reduced food intake and rapid weight loss. Many people also begin treatment with poor baseline nutritional status, further increasing their risk of malnutrition.
A holistic approach is key to long-term success. Nutritional screening and assessment by a registered dietitian before starting GLP-1 therapy, followed by ongoing support can help preserve muscle mass and meet nutritional needs. Public health initiatives, such as Food is Medicine programmes, can also improve access to medically tailored meals and groceries.
Access to Nutritious Foods: Bridging the Gap
Not everyone has access to affordable, healthy foods like fruit and vegetables. ‘Food deserts’ – areas poorly served by supermarkets – make nutritious choices harder to find. Even in cities, the widespread availability of ultra-processed, nutrient-poor foods contribute to malnutrition across both underweight and overweight populations.
Retailers and food providers can help address this issue by:
- Increasing the availability of fresh produce
- Clearly labelling nutritional content
- Using digital platforms to guide healthier choices
Making nutrient-dense foods more accessible and convenient can help combat malnutrition and improve health outcomes across all demographic groups.
The Role of Personalised Nutrition & Technology
Personalised nutrition is key to supporting health, offering dietary guidance tailored to each person’s needs, goals, and preferences. Advances in AI and data-driven tools now help people meet their nutritional needs in ways that suit their lifestyle – whether they’re managing chronic disease, taking GLP-1s, recovering from illness, or focusing on healthy ageing.
Beyond individual health, technology is enhancing decision-making across the food system. Data-driven insights enable category teams, product developers, and marketers to design and promote foods that align with public health priorities. By integrating nutrition data, predictive analytics, and consumer insights, stakeholders can create products that are both appealing and nutritious, making healthier choices easier and more accessible for consumers.
With greater awareness, early intervention, and the use of technology to advance both personalised nutrition and informed food system decisions, we can enhance nutritional health, improve wellbeing, and reduce the risk of malnutrition.
Resources
- British Association for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (BAPEN). BAPEN publishes its Annual Malnutrition and Nutritional Care Survey Report 2023. 5 November 2024. Available from: https://www.bapen.org.uk/bapen-news/bapen-publishes-its-annual-malnutrition-and-nutritional-care-survey-report-2023
- The Food Foundation. UK and global malnutrition: the new normal. International Learning Series 1 / Global. London: The Food Foundation; 2017 July. Available from: https://foodfoundation.org.uk/sites/default/files/2021-10/1-Briefing-Malnutrition_vF2.pdf
- Office for Health Improvement & Disparities, National Centre for Social Research, MRC Epidemiology Unit. National Diet and Nutrition Survey 2019 to 2023: report. London: HMSO; 2025 Jun 11. Available from: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/national-diet-and-nutrition-survey-2019-to-2023/national-diet-and-nutrition-survey-2019-to-2023-report
- Elia M. on behalf of the Malnutrition Action Group of BAPEN and the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre. The cost of malnutrition in England and potential cost savings from nutritional interventions (short version). British Association for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (BAPEN); 2015. ISBN 978-1-899467-03-3. Available from: https://www.bapen.org.uk/pdfs/economic-report-short.pdf
- Mozaffarian D, et al. Nutritional priorities to support GLP-1 therapy for obesity: a joint advisory from the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, the American Society for Nutrition, the Obesity Medicine Association, and The Obesity Society. Obes Pillars. 2025;15:100181.
