-- New survey* reveals 88 percent of adults in the UK cannot
correctly identify the three most common signs of
malnutrition[1].
-- Abbott launches new I-CARE Checklist, supported by the
Patients Association, to help easy identification of
symptoms.
LONDON, Dec. 16, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- As families gather
over the festive season and feast over Christmas dinner, healthcare
company Abbott (NYSE: ABT) warns of the need to be vigilant about
poor eating and malnutrition in our older relatives. The warning
comes as new research conducted on behalf of Abbott by YouGov
reveals that, worryingly, only 12 percent of people correctly
identified the three commonly recognised symptoms of malnutrition,
compared with 48 percent who were able to correctly identify heart
attack symptoms and 71 percent correctly identifying stroke
symptoms.[1]
Yet, with one in ten over 65s malnourished or showing signs of
malnutrition[2], it should be one of our top
priorities. Supported by the Patients Association, Abbott today
launches the I-CARE Checklist providing families with an easy
checklist of signs to be vigilant about.
It may be that you don't see relatives very often – 38 percent
of those with an older relative (aged 65+) see them every three
months or less[1], but Christmas is often a
time when families do come together and therefore a time when you
may notice some of the signs covered in The I-CARE
Checklist:
I – I will check Clothing, Appetite,
Rings, Energy levels.
CLOTHING - weight loss can be a sign of malnutrition, so
look at clothing. Is it loose, ill-fitting? This could be a sign
your relative is not eating enough.
APPETITE- again loss of appetite is key. There will be
bundles of food on the Christmas table, but are they eating? Has
their appetite shrunk? With weight loss, dentures can become loose
and ill-fitting making it harder to eat, so watch out for this
too.
RINGS - jewellery can often become ill-fitting with
weight loss, so keep an eye on items such as wedding rings that
people may have worn for years suddenly becoming loose.
ENERGY - with lack of food, reduced appetite and weight
loss can also come a lack of energy. Does your relative seem more
lethargic or struggle to keep up in a way they never used to?
Commenting on the I-CARE Checklist, Katherine Murphy, Chief Executive of the
Patients Association said "The Patients Association warmly supports
Abbott's initiative to raise public awareness of malnutrition at
this time of year. With families getting together for Christmas,
it's an ideal opportunity to identify early signs that things may
not be quite right. The I-CARE checklist is a useful, practical
tool to help people spot the signs and symptoms of malnutrition in
their older relatives. It may help provide that early warning sign
so people can take action and speak to their GP."
"The consequences of malnutrition are serious and should not be
overlooked," says Carole Glencorse,
Medical Director, Abbott Nutrition UK. She adds: "Malnourished
older adults are less able to fight off infection, wounds take
longer to heal and people lose muscle, leading to inactivity and an
increased risk of falls. People who are malnourished are also more
likely to visit their GP more frequently and be hospitalised. It's
important that we spot the signs early so that people receive the
appropriate treatment. We hope that the I-CARE Checklist will help
both raise awareness of the symptoms of malnutrition and encourage
people to take action if they're concerned about an older
relative."
The research shows a surprisingly low number (only 15 percent)
of Brits with an older relative are worried that they are not
eating well or enough.[1] In contrast, people
are overwhelmingly more concerned about poor health/diseases (48
percent) and mobility (34 percent)[1],
suggesting that the link between good nutrition and overall health,
wellbeing and mobility is not well recognised or understood.
So think I-CARE this Christmas. The good news is that once
people are aware of the problem, often simple measures to increase
food intake, with or without nutritional supplements, may be enough
to reverse the downward cycle and get people back on their
feet.[3]
To download the I-CARE Checklist, visit abbottnutrition.co.uk
and click on I-CARE under 'Popular topics'.
References
[1.] Data on file. Abbott Laboratories Ltd., 2014 (Omnibus
survey: malnutrition).
[2.] BAPEN, 2013:
http://www.bapen.org.uk/professionals/publications-and-resources/bapen-reports/combating-malnutrition-recommendations-for-action/20-professionals/publications-and-resources/174-malnutrition-among-older-people-in-the-community
Accessed 28th November 2014
[3.] BAPEN, 2012:
http://www.bapen.org.uk/about-malnutrition/introduction-to-malnutrition?showall=&start=6
Accessed 28th November 2014.
About Abbott
Abbott is a global healthcare company
devoted to improving life through the development of products and
technologies that span the breadth of healthcare. With a portfolio
of leading, science-based offerings in diagnostics, medical
devices, nutritionals and branded generic pharmaceuticals, Abbott
serves people in more than 150 countries and employs approximately
69,000 people.
In the UK, Abbott employs some 1,500 people with operations in
Berkshire, Oxfordshire, Cheshire and Kent. Abbott has been operating in the UK
since 1937.
Visit Abbott at www.abbott.com and connect with us on Twitter at
@AbbottNews.
RXANI140350a. Date of preparation: December 2014
*All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc.
Total sample size was 2,011 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken
between 1st - 2nd December 2014. The
survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and
are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+).
Respondents were presented with a list of symptoms for each medical
condition, and three of them were the commonly recognised symptoms
(i.e. 'correct'). Therefore, these statistics refer to respondents
who only selected all these three symptoms.