Malnutrition

For people who are clinically underweight or malnourished, the NHS and NICE have specific nutritional support pathways. This article examines when medical nutritional support is indicated, what interventions have evidence, and the clinical distinctions between different categories of weight gain need.

NICE CG32 (nutrition support in adults) defines malnutrition screening using MUST (Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool). NHS oral nutritional supplements (ONS) — Ensure, Fortisip, Complan — are prescribed by GPs and dietitians for documented malnutrition or high risk. This article covers who qualifies, what the evidence supports, and how to access NHS-funded ONS.