Information intended for UK healthcare professionals and other relevant decision makers only. Adverse event reporting can be found at the bottom of the page.
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Understanding malnutrition

Did you know that malnutrition is a significant clinical concern in the UK?1,2

Malnutrition is often under recognised and undertreated, with more than 3 million people in the UK malnourished or at risk of malnutrition.2

Malnutrition can be either a cause or consequence of ill health, defined as “…a state in which a deficiency of nutrients such as energy, protein, vitamins and minerals causes measurable adverse effects on body composition, function or clinical outcome.”3

For healthcare professionals across all healthcare settings, identifying and managing malnutrition is key in helping to improve patient outcomes, reduce complications and save on healthcare costs.4-6

It’s important to note that malnutrition doesn’t just affect the visibly underweight, it can also affect those overweight or obese,6 and can often develop gradually.7 In fact, different forms of malnutrition can include:8

  • Undernutrition (e.g. underweight)
  • Micronutrient-related malnutrition
  • Overweight and obesity

As healthcare professionals, you can play a critical role in recognising the signs, initiating screening, and delivering timely nutritional interventions where appropriate.

Explore the key areas below to understand more about malnutrition

Each section provides evidence-based content or practical information designed for clinical use in primary and secondary care.

How prevalent is malnutrition?

What role do micronutrients play in malnutrition?

What are the clinical consequences of malnutrition?

Which patients are most at risk and why?

How can you identify malnutrition early?

What clinical signs should raise concern?

How and when should you screen?

What are the best strategies for management?

When could a multivitamin and mineral supplement be considered?

  1. Malnutrition and the NHS. UK parliament, April 2022. Available at: https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons​/2022-04-25/debates/9BA607B2-C2C7-4A70-B8C4-8BDC148B6BE9/MalnutritionAndTheNHS
  2. Adult malnutrition: How common is it? NICE CKS. Available at: https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/adult-malnutrition/background-information/prevalence/
  3. NICE Nutrition support for adults: oral nutrition support, enteral tube feeding and parenteral nutrition. NICE guideline CG32. 2006. Available at: www.nice.org.uk/Guidance/CG32
  4. Stratton R, et al. Managing malnutrition to improve lives and save money. Published on BAPEN website. Available at: https://www.bapen.org.uk/pdfs/reports​/mag/managing-malnutrition.pdf
  5. Saunders J, Smith T. Malnutrition: causes and consequences. Clinical Medicine 2010; (10)6: 624-7.
  6. 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
  7. Malnutrition NHS Scotland. Available at: https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/nutritional/malnutrition
  8. Malnutrition, World Health Organisation. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/malnutrition

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.

Please consult the Summary of Product Characteristics for a full listing of contraindications, precautions, and adverse events before prescribing this medicine. Rash, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain have been reported (frequency not known). Should not be given to individuals with allergies to peanut or soya, hypercalcaemia, haemochromatosis, other iron storage disorders, hypersensitivity to the active substance(s) or to any of the excipients.