A DRIVE to raise awareness of undernutrition is being carried out by community dietitians at Great Western Hospital in Swindon.

Undernutrition affects more than three million people in the UK, with those aged over 65 most at risk.

Its treatment costs the NHS in excess of £7.3 billion per year, compared with obesity at £4.8 billion a year.

Community dietitians at GWH are working to tackle the problem by raising the profile of the condition, providing dietary advice and highlighting appropriate support available.

Natalie Kominek, lead community nutrition support dietitian at Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Someone who is underweight or undernourished may be deficient in vitamins and minerals as well as energy and protein, leaving them vulnerable to weight loss, ill health, tiredness, depression and increased hospital admissions.”

Typical signs include, weight loss, loose jewellery, dentures or glasses, dizzy spells, always feeling the cold and finding it hard to keep warm, and frequent colds and/or infections.

Ms Kominek said: “Although eating a balanced diet is important for health, it may be necessary to adjust your meal patterns and the types of food eaten for a temporary period of time to help prevent further weight loss or undernourishment.

“People can also add high-calorie foods such as mayonnaise or cream to their normal diet to increase the amount of protein and calories consumed without increasing the volume of food to be eaten.”

As part of the campaign, the community dietitians will be holding an awareness day at Eldene Health Centre in Collingsmead, Swindon, today from 11am-2pm. There will also be food advice and sampling sessions with Oakhouse Foods.

More information about undernutrition and useful dietary information and advice is available on GWH’s website www.gwh.nhs.uk – search for Dietetics in the A-Z section.

If someone continues to lose weight, they are advised to discuss it with their GP as soon as possible.