Hospital malnutrition a ‘Silent Epidemic’ in Nigeria – WASPEN
Hospital malnutrition a ‘Silent Epidemic’ in Nigeria – WASPEN
Dr Teresa Pounds, President and Founder of the West African Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (WASPEN), has described hospital malnutrition as a silent epidemic.
She said it is undermining patient recovery and increasing mortality rates in Nigeria and beyond.
She said this on Monday during a virtual media conference marking the 2025 Malnutrition Awareness Week, themed “United Against Malnutrition.”
Pounds said hospital malnutrition could lead to higher healthcare costs, prolonged recovery times, and increased death rates, yet remained poorly recognised and inadequately addressed.
“Hospitalised patients are particularly vulnerable due to underlying illnesses, socioeconomic factors, and limited access to adequate nutrition.
“Globally, between 20 per cent and 50 per cent of hospitalised patients suffer from malnutrition,” she said.
She noted that while comprehensive national data was limited in Nigeria, emerging studies from tertiary hospitals report inpatient malnutrition rates between 30 per cent and 45 per cent, particularly among surgical, paediatric, and oncology patients.
Pounds highlighted that hospitalised children and the elderly were the most affected.
“In Nasarawa State, a study showed that 41.2 per cent of under-five children admitted in hospitals had global malnutrition, with 15.8 per cent experiencing Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM) and 25.5 per cent Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM).
“In Magumeri, Borno State, SAM prevalence among admitted children was 4 per cent.
“In Enugu, 71.3 per cent of hospitalised elderly patients were malnourished, 22.1 per cent were at risk, and only 6.6 per cent were well-nourished,” she stated.
She added that malnourished patients were more likely to experience delayed wound healing, increased risk of infection, longer hospital stays, and, in some cases, avoidable readmissions.
Pounds emphasised that hospital malnutrition was closely linked to community malnutrition.
“In Nigeria, more than 30 per cent of children are stunted, and about 7 per cent are wasted.
“These numbers reflect deep-rooted challenges, but they also show why a holistic approach is essential. Malnutrition in the community and in hospitals are two sides of the same coin.”
She disclosed that WASPEN was partnering with a leading Nigerian institution to generate updated national data on hospital malnutrition.
The findings, she said, would support advocacy for including clinical nutrition in Nigeria’s national health strategies.
Read Also: Army intensifies nationwide operations, kills terrorists, nab…
She also acknowledged the support of international collaborators, including the American Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN), represented by past president Dr Phil Ayers and board member Dr Albert Barrocas.
As part of Malnutrition Awareness Week, Pounds announced a range of planned activities, including: Expert-led webinars on clinical nutrition protocols, Discussions on integrating nutrition into national health systems and Institution-specific events across Nigeria and West Africa.
“These activities are designed to raise awareness, build the capacity of health professionals, generate new evidence, and secure the national adoption of clinical nutrition strategies that can transform patient outcomes,” she said.
While commending the Federal Government and nutrition-focused organisations for efforts to combat community malnutrition, Pounds stressed that hospital malnutrition must not be neglected.
