UK hospital admissions for malnutrition rise by 19%

Recently the BBC reported on a significant 19% rise in the number of people in the UK who were admitted to hospital with malnutrition over the past year, attributing the blame to worsening food poverty.

This prompted analysts at market research organisation Canadean to review their research into the areas of nutrition and consumer behaviour.

One Canadean UK survey found that one in four (26%) consumers lack awareness of the link between poor nutritional intake and how it leads to malnutrition, while another Canadean survey revealed that 27% of consumers never or rarely eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day. Furthermore, 8% of consumers reveal that they are not aware of what food is healthy versus what is unhealthy. These statistics point to the fact that educational messages about nutrition are not being received.

Alongside the lack of knowledge about malnutrition, many consumers believe that eating healthy comes at a price they simply cannot afford. Around 40% of UK consumers believe that grocery prices are rising at a rate of at least 10% per year.

Kirsty Nolan, an analyst with Canadean, states: “Despite the growing media attention surrounding malnutrition, consumers remain very cost-conscious in light of recent hard economic times. Consumers have proudly adopted the principles of being savvy shoppers and are always on the lookout for a bargain. Indeed, 43% of consumers say that in 2013 they took greater advantage of promotions and price drops - which can have an impact on balanced and nutritional diets.”  

The annual cost of malnutrition, estimated at £13 billion a year by Age Concern, is an issue which the government and organisations across the UK will have to battle. Nolan adds: “Education on how to eat healthily on a budget will be essential in proactively preventing this problem among our younger generations. Both parents and children need to be aware of the importance of healthy eating and the consequences that result from an unhealthy diet.”