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Public Health
Malnutrition is a major public health issue and there is a need to raise
awareness of the risks of malnutrition and steps that can be taken to prevent, identify and manage malnutrition.
Raising awareness will ensure that the individuals, family and carers are better able to monitor nutrition
and prevent malnutrition from occurring.
The public need to understand the social and psychological causes of
malnutrition in the community which include (Figure 2)13.
Figure 2: Social and psychological causes of malnutrition
| Poverty | Functional Constraints | Mobility | Psychological Factors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inability to access good food | Inability to prepare food | Poor mobility | Isolation and loneliness |
| Inability to afford good food | Poor dental /oral health | Disability | Confusion |
| Sensory disability | Poor transport links | Depression | |
| Difficulty using food containers | Difficulty accessing local shops | Anxiety | |
| Difficulty reading food labels | Dementia | ||
| Bereavement |
Public health and societal issues are covered in other DHSSPS and PHA
policy areas (Appendix 2).
A decreased appetite is frequently seen among elderly adults, and no
cause may be found. However, sadness, depression, grief, or anxiety, are common causes of weight loss
that is not explained by other factors, especially among the elderly.
The use of multiple prescriptions and over-the-counter medications (Polypharmacy),
is also a risk factor for malnutrition.
