Research consistently shows that malnutrition—a state of inadequate or unbalanced nutrition—is a hidden cause of poor health outcomes and rising health care costs around the world. Reports of the prevalence of malnutrition, its harmful effects, and its contribution to disease progression, morbidity, and mortality have filled medical literature over the last 30 years.

Good nutrition is fundamental to immune function, tissue growth and replacement, and to support quality of life. Nutrition helps maintain normal immunity by helping defend against infectious diseases. Dietary nutrients provide structural materials to build and replace tissue components, supply energy to support cell growth and function, and provide building blocks for synthesis of regulatory messengers to control these processes. Inadequate nutrient intake or depleted reserves of energy, protein, and other nutrients create the risk of malnutrition.

Unfortunately, malnutrition still exists around the world both in the hospital setting and within communities. Malnutrition during hospitalization has wide-ranging effects that are serious and costly.  Data also suggests that a significant percentage of the population living in the community is at risk of malnutrition, and that more community-dwelling individuals are at risk than is currently recognized.  Poor nutrition and malnutrition take a toll on human health and well being, particularly for individuals who are most vulnerable—older adults and the ill.

Learn more about the hidden costs of malnutrition