UK Malnutrition Awareness Week

UKMAW 2023

BAPEN was delighted to join forces with the Malnutrition Task Force (MTF) once again to run UK Malnutrition Awareness Week 2023 (UKMAW2023), which took place between 6th – 12th November.

We were delighted to have significant engagement from multidisciplinary healthcare professionals, patient advocacy groups, professional organisations, and the general public.

#InteractiveTuesday saw those from across the healthcare sector providing their insights into challenges, solutions and innovations when it comes to delivering nutritional care.

Mission Statement

#UKMAW2023’s focus is to Ask, Look, Listen

The campaign focus – Ask, Look, Listen – recognises that malnutrition is everyone’s business. It is easier to manage malnutrition or dehydration when it is spotted earlier, so we want everybody in health and care multidisciplinary teams to spread the importance of keeping nutritional care at the forefront of minds, and for people in the community to look out for family members, friends, neighbours, and colleagues.

So, what does ‘Ask, Look and Listen’ mean in practice?

Ask – If you know somebody who may be vulnerable because they have health problems, because they are older or perhaps because they are isolated, don’t be afraid to ask them if they are eating and drinking okay. Don’t be afraid to ask about somebody’s appetite or ability to prepare food and drink, it could make all the difference and help you stop malnutrition in its tracks.

Look – Always be on the lookout for tell-tale signs of unplanned weight loss such as looser clothing, loose belts or rings or dentures. And remember you won’t always see weight loss so keep your eyes open for other signs like empty fridges and cupboards, local shops that have closed, or reluctance to travel or leave home.

Listen – Listen carefully to what somebody is telling you about their life. It may not be about eating and drinking directly, but is it about feeling tired, feeling worried because they are unwell, feeling lonely, or losing interest in things that usually give them enjoyment? Practice active listening and think about how the way somebody is feeling generally may affect how they are able to look after themselves.

#UKMAW2023 daily themes

UKMAW was co-founded in 2018, by the Malnutrition Task Force (MTF) and the British Association for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (BAPEN) to raise awareness and understanding of the risks of malnutrition across different sectors and settings, in local communities and with the general public and health and social care professionals. We are delighted that the campaign continues to go from strength-to-strength since its launch in 2018.

Please contact bapen@mandfhealth.com for any further information required.