Malnutrition

Understanding the challenge and the role of medical nutrition

Malnutrition is common and affects people of all ages but often goes unrecognized. Because of the close link between nutrition and overall health, malnutrition contributes to poorer clinical outcomes, slower recovery, and reduced quality of life for patients. Identifying patients with nutritional risk early and addressing their needs through evidence-based medical nutrition can help support care and wellbeing. Fresenius Kabi assists healthcare professionals with evidence-based medical nutrition solutions across the continuum of care.

The challenge of malnutrition

Malnutrition encompasses a range of nutritional disorders, including undernutrition, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, and disease-related malnutrition. According to the World Health Organization, malnutrition or undernutrition remains a significant global health challenge, affecting children and adults worldwide.1

Disease-related malnutrition can occur when illness affects a person’s ability to consume, absorb or utilize nutrients, or when the body’s demand for nutrients increases due to disease or injury. Affecting up to 40% of patients in hospitals,2 malnutrition is associated with increased morbidity, mortality and healthcare utilization.3 Older adults are particularly at risk of malnutrition, with prevalence of up to 13% in community settings and increasing to 50% among older patients who are hospitalized or who are in long-term care settings.4

A caregiver supports an older adult while moving through a residential setting.

Malnutrition can occur across many health conditions

Disease-related malnutrition can affect patients with a range of conditions across clinical specialties, including:2

  • Oncology
  • Surgery 
  • Gastroenterology
  • Internal medicine
  • Critical care
  • Geriatrics 
  • Pediatrics

The impact of malnutrition goes beyond weight loss

The effects of malnutrition have a direct impact on a patient’s treatment, recovery, and quality of life. Potential consequences include:5

  • Loss of muscle mass and strength
  • Fatigue and reduced physical function 
  • Increased risk of falls and fractures
  • Delayed wound healing
  • Poor surgical outcomes
  • Increased susceptibility to infection 
  • Longer recovery times
  • Reduced independence 
  • Increased mortality risk

Research has also demonstrated associations between malnutrition and longer hospital stays, increased complications, higher readmission rates and increased healthcare costs.2,6

Why nutrition intervention matters

56% fewer complications7

24% lower mortality7

3.2-day shorter hospital stay7

Why early nutrition intervention matters

Identifying malnutrition or risk of malnutrition early allows healthcare professionals to evaluate a patient’s nutritional status and develop an individualized nutrition plan. International organizations recommend routine nutritional screening and assessment using validated tools and diagnostic criteria.

Evidence supports nutrition intervention

A growing body of evidence suggests that appropriate nutritional support can positively influence outcomes in patients at nutritional risk. Published studies have reported associations between nutritional intervention and:

  • Reduced complications
  • Reduced mortality
  • Shorter hospital stays
  • Lower readmission rates
  • Reduced healthcare expenditures7-11
Two older people sitting closely together on a sofa in a plant-filled living room

Supporting recovery and quality of life

Nutrition is a fundamental component of patient care. When nutritional needs are not met through regular food intake alone, medical nutrition can play an important role in supporting patients throughout treatment and recovery.

Medical nutrition support may be delivered through different routes:

Oral nutritional supplements (ONS)

Used to supplement oral intake when regular food intake is insufficient to meet nutritional requirements. ONS provide macronutrients and micronutrients and may serve as a nutritionally complete source of nutrition in certain situations.7

Enteral nutrition (tube feeding)

Recommended when the gastrointestinal tract is functioning, but nutritional requirements cannot be met through oral intake alone or is not possible. Enteral nutrition is delivered through feeding tubes that provide nutrition directly to the stomach or small intestine.7

Parenteral nutrition

Used when adequate nutrition cannot be safely achieved via the gastrointestinal tract. Parenteral nutrition delivers nutrients intravenously and may be appropriate in patients with intestinal failure or other conditions that prevent adequate enteral feeding.7

Delivering medical nutrition support

Addressing patient-specific nutritional needs

Individual nutritional requirements vary according to age, diagnosis, disease severity, metabolic demands, and treatment goals. Medical nutrition may be tailored to support:

  • Energy requirements
  • Protein and lipid needs
  • Fluid balance
  • Vitamin and trace element intake
  • Specialized requirements for specific disease states7
A close-up view of an arm with intravenous access tubing secured using medical tape and bandages.

A patient-centered approach helps healthcare professionals select nutrition strategies aligned with each individual’s condition and care goals.

Supporting patients through medical nutrition solutions

Nutrition support across the continuum of care

We provide medical nutrition solutions designed to support patients with varying nutritional requirements across acute care, long-term care, homecare, and community settings. The Medical Nutrition and MedTech portfolios support healthcare professionals in addressing the nutrition needs of patients.

Advancing awareness of malnutrition

Despite increased awareness, malnutrition remains underdiagnosed and undertreated in many healthcare environments. Continued education, routine screening and assessment, and implementation of guideline-based care can help improve identification of nutritional risk and support better patient outcomes.2

FAQ

Disease-related malnutrition occurs when illness affects nutrient intake, absorption, metabolism or requirements, leading to nutritional deficits that can negatively affect health outcomes.2

Early identification and appropriate nutrition interventions, including oral nutritional supplements, enteral nutrition, or parenteral nutrition, can help address nutritional deficits and support recovery.7

Malnutrition is associated with increased complications, longer hospital stays, higher healthcare costs, reduced quality of life and increased mortality.7

Malnutrition can affect people of all ages, but older adults and patients with acute or chronic illnesses are at increased risk.2-4

References

1. World Health Organization. Malnutrition Fact Sheet. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/malnutrition

2. Barker LA et al. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2011;8:514–27. https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/8/2/514

3. Saunders J, Smith T. Malnutrition: causes and consequences. Clinical Medicine (Lond). 2010;10(6):624-627. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4951875/

4. Cruz-Jentoft AJ, Volkert D. Malnutrition in Older Adults. N Engl J Med. 2025;392:2244-2255. https://www.nejm.org/doi/pdf/10.1056/NEJMra2412275

5. Hao R, Guo H. Eur Rev Aging Phys Act. 2012;9:119-127; Harris CL, Fraser C. Ostomy Wound Manage. 2004;50(10):54-63.

6. Schütz P, et al. Individualised nutritional support in medical inpatients at nutritional risk (EFFORT Trial). Lancet. 2019;393:2312-2321.

7. MNI. Better Care Through Better Nutrition: Value and Effects of Medical Nutrition. 2018.

8. Somanchi M, Tao X, Mullin GE. JPEN. 2011;35(2):209-216.

9. Brugler L, DiPrinzio MJ, Bernstein L. Jt Comm J Qual Improv. 1999;25(4):191-206.

10. Bally MR, et al. JAMA Intern Med. 2016;176(1):43-53.

11. NICE Clinical Guideline 32. Nutrition Support in Adults. 2006.