Malnutrition statistics in Dumfries and Galloway are only the 'tip of the iceberg'
A local charity has called on the Scottish Government to take action before it worsens.
Last updated 13th Nov 2024
As winter approaches, there's a warning about the impact malnutrition is having on Dumfries and Galloway's older people.
A local charity branch in the region has raised concerns with the Scottish Government asking them to act before the numbers worsen.
Food Train has conducted a screening and found that 13% of people over the age of 65 in Dumfries and Galloway are at risk of falling ill through not eating and drinking enough.
They claim this statistic is just the ‘tip of the iceberg’.
Chief executive Rosie McLuskie says it paints a bleak picture.
“It’s 2024 and we’ve got 16% of people across Scotland who are either malnourished or at the risk of malnourishment. That’s almost a fifth of Scotland's population which is really shocking in this day and age.
“As we don’t invest in our society and our older people as we cut things like the winter fuel allowance and we make decisions around that and the price of food rising, all of that is definitely increasing the risk.”
She adds that the impact of the cost-of-living crisis is clear.
“People heat their house less, there’s people who eat less because they have less money for fuel and things like that. They cut down on their shopping allowance, they cut down on what they’re eating, they also cut down on the heating in the house and all of that has a direct effect on malnourishment and their general health.”
Amid Malnutrition Awareness Week, the charity is calling for numerous changes.
They include the right to food being enshrined in Scots Law; mandatory malnutrition screenings by agencies supporting older people; more investment to tackle isolation and increase opportunities for older people to eat; and the appointment of an Older People’s Minister in Scotland.
Public Health Minister Jenni Minto said:
“Scotland’s communities experience health, quality of life and life expectancy differently across our society. No one should have to compromise on food or other essentials, and we are working to support older people and tackle poverty. We’re focused on working with partners and taking preventative action to drive improvements in population health which will increase healthy life expectancy and reduce health inequalities.
“The main aim of our 2018 Diet and Healthy Weight Delivery Plan is to make it easier for everyone across Scotland to eat well and have a healthy weight. This includes reducing levels of undernutrition. A working group has recently developed recommendations for the prevention, early detection and early intervention of malnutrition and dehydration – the Scottish Government is considering these recommendations.”