When your body does not get the right balance of energy and nutrients it needs, you can become malnourished. Malnutrition is a serious health concern that can affect any person of any age, from infants to the elderly. This week is Malnutrition Awareness Week, and we wanted to share a little about this health condition. Older adults are especially at risk for malnutrition. Malnourished older adults may be more likely to fall and break bones, get sick, and need to stay at the hospital longer. If you have older adults in your life, be sure to check on them often and help them stay nourished.
If you visit nutritioncare.org/KnowTheSigns, you can learn more about what to look for if you are worried about malnutrition for yourself or someone you know. The sooner someone gets help, the quicker they can recover and be back to their normal self! A few things to look out for could be muscle weakness, feeling very tired, and loss of appetite. If you notice this in someone, try to get them the medical help they need quickly.
One easy way to prevent malnutrition is to eat well and stay nourished. Following the MyPlate pattern and eating high-protein foods, like lean meat, beans, and eggs can give you all the nutrients you need. Eating well and staying physically active are two ways to stay healthy at any stage of life.
