University Hospital Leipzig's Efforts to Combat Malnutrition
University Hospital Hosts Nutrition Day During German Awareness Week on Malnutrition
The University Hospital is participating in the global Nutrition Day and Germany's Awareness Week on Malnutrition by offering a special event focused on education about malnutrition and nutrition therapy. This event, taking place at the clinic on Wednesday, is part of a larger initiative to improve nutritional care in hospitals and care facilities worldwide.
Over 70 countries are participating in the data collection for Nutrition Day, which is not limited to the University Hospital. The focus of this global event is to highlight the critical issue of malnutrition, particularly in vulnerable populations like the elderly and hospitalized patients.
During the event at the University Hospital, visitors can learn about various forms of nutrition therapy and sample nutrient-rich drinks that are ideal for consumption. The hospital is also providing these nutrient drinks for sampling as part of the event.
The data collection for Nutrition Day involves tracking weight changes, eating habits, and medication intake of patients to better understand the impact of malnutrition and inadequate nutrition on patient outcomes. The data collected will help to inform strategies for improving nutritional care in hospitals and care facilities.
The Awareness Week in Germany is focused on raising awareness about the serious health risks of inadequate nutrition, particularly in hospitals and nursing homes. The poor dietary quality often found in these settings, which includes nutrient-poor, high-salt, and low-vegetable meals, negatively impacts patient recovery and overall health outcomes.
By promoting recognition of malnutrition as a significant health risk among elderly patients and those in care settings, the Awareness Week aims to encourage better food quality in hospitals and care facilities. This includes menus rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, and adequate protein, which supports healing and better clinical outcomes.
In addition to improving patient care, better hospital nutrition is linked to reduced health system costs and positive environmental impact due to more sustainable food choices. The events aim to drive better nutritional practices as an integral part of medical and care services, emphasizing the prevention and treatment of malnutrition to improve patient outcomes in hospitals and care facilities.
[1] World Health Organization. (2019). Malnutrition in hospitals and care facilities. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/malnutrition-in-hospitals-and-care-facilities
[2] Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. (2020). Malnutrition in older adults. https://www.eatright.org/health/nutrition/healthy-aging/malnutrition-in-older-adults
- Visitors at the University Hospital's event will learn about the range of therapies and treatments, including nutrition therapy, that can help combat malnutrition, a critical health concern, especially among the elderly and hospitalized patients.
- To support the prevention and treatment of malnutrition, the hospital is offering nutrient-rich drinks for sampling during the Nutrition Day event, which is a part of a larger initiative to enhance nutritional care not only in hospitals but also in care facilities globally.
