Malnutrition
What is Malnutrition
“Malnutrition is a serious condition that occurs when a person’s diet does not contain the right amount of nutrients”
It means poor nutrition and can refer to:
Under nutrition – when you don’t get enough nutrients
Over nutrition – when you get more nutrients than you need
“It is estimated there are about 3 million people who are malnourished in the UK at any time and many more at risk of becoming malnourished.”
Causes of Malnutrition:
- Poor diet
- Medication
- The result of abused alcohol over a period
- Some serious medical conditions such as cancer; mental illnesses; dementia. (one form of dementia can make people constantly hungry. Other types may put people off food, or the person may not realise when or what they ate last) and Crohn’s disease
- Eating disorders
- Dental problems and/physical pain when eating/problems in swallowing and chewing
- Poverty/low income
- Food phobias
- Mental or physical ill health
- Abuse from others
Use to answer question 8.1c of the Care Certificate