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Clinical signs and symptoms

Recognising the warning signs of malnutrition

How to recognise the signs of malnutrition

Malnutrition can present with a wide range of physical, functional and psychological indicators. Common signs include: 1-4

Weight loss

Loss of lean body mass

Reduced food intake

Skin and wound changes including fragile skin

Physical weakness

Recurrent infections

Functional decline

Cognitive and psychological effects

Do you know how to screen for malnutrition?

Proactive screening and early intervention are important in helping to improve patient outcomes.5,6

Find out more >
  1. Adult malnutrition, NICE CKS. Available at: https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/adult-malnutrition/
  2. Holdoway A, et al (consensus panel). Managing Adult Malnutrition in the Community. 3rd edition, 2021. Available at: www.malnutritionpathway.co.uk​/library/managing_malnutrition.pdf
  3. Symptoms, Malnutrition. NHS. Available at: nhs.uk/conditions/malnutrition/symptoms
  4. Malnutrition: How to identify those at risk. Pharmacy Magazine. Available at: pharmacymagazine.co.uk​/clinical/malnutrition-how-to-identify-those-at-risk
  5. State of the Nation 2021: Older people and malnutrition in the UK today. The Malnutrition Task Force. Available at: https://www.malnutritiontaskforce.org.uk​/sites/default/files/2021-10/State%20of%20the%20Nation​%202020%20F%20revise.pdf
  6. Murphy J, et al. Identifying and treating older patients with malnutrition in primary care: the MUST screening tool. British Journal of General Practice 2018; 68 (672): 344-345. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3399/bjgp18X697853

References accessed February 2026.

Adverse events should be reported. Reporting forms and information can be found at yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk or by searching for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. Adverse events should also be reported to Pharmacovigilance at Alliance Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Tel: 01249 466966, email: pharmacovigilance@alliancepharma.co.uk.