Signs of malnutrition

The best way to treat malnutrition is to prevent it !

Diet plays a vital role in health, especially in older people. Appetite, changes in habits and state of health all influence the way we eat. In the long term, insufficient or unsuitable food intake can lead to malnutrition.

In France, over a quarter of people aged over 65 who have a home carer suffer from malnutrition, sometimes unknowingly.  Do you or someone you know have this problem?

What to do

There are simple ways of checking that a diet covers requirements. Deficiencies can be corrected and malnutrition avoided, by preventing a patient from entering the downward spiral of weakness, injury and hospitalisation etc.

Be aware of the warning signs,

For example:

• A change in diet following hospitalisation or bereavement, 
• Difficulties in shopping, cooking and preparing meals,
• Unusual tiredness,
• Weight loss over a period of 6 months.