Malnutrition Awareness Week

History of Malnutrition Awareness Week

Malnutrition Awareness Week was launched in 2012 by The American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN). ASPEN, founded in 1975 and made official in 1976, is a nonprofit organization whose members are involved in providing clinical nutrition therapies, including parenteral and enteral nutrition. ASPEN is a community of dietitians, pharmacists, nurses, physicians, scientists, students, patients, and caregivers. It has nearly 6,000 members worldwide who are committed to the improvement of patient care by progressing the science and practice of clinical nutrition and metabolism.

Malnutrition Awareness Week began with the objective of educating healthcare specialists about early detection and treatment of malnutrition, teaching people the importance of sharing their nutrition status with healthcare specialists, and creating consciousness of nutrition’s role in an individual’s health. ASPEN works with many ambassadors and sponsors to grow the movement of Malnutrition Awareness Week. To date, the event has reached more than 15.7 million medical practitioners, political leaders, community agencies, patients, and caregivers. Malnutrition Awareness Week is also under the National Health Observances Calendar. This program has gained recognition from U.S. senators, governors, and other groups.

This year in 2022, ASPEN has a movement going on – they seek to have all 50 states recognize the week. Members of the public are called on to sign petitions for the governor of their state to formally declare September 19 to 23, as Malnutrition Awareness Week. The declaration will influence policies and offer opportunities to reach the public on a wider scale.

Malnutrition Awareness Week timeline

1975

ASPEN Forms

The American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN) launches.

1976

ASPEN is Official

The American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition becomes official.

2012

ASPEN Initiates an Event

The American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition starts the first Malnutrition Awareness Week.

2022

Petitions to Nationalize the Holiday

ASPEN rallies the public to sign petitions to make Malnutrition Awareness Week a national event, covering all 50 states.

Malnutrition Awareness Week FAQs

When is Malnutrition Awareness Week?

Malnutrition Awareness Week 2026 runs from Monday, September 14 to Friday, September 18. This annual campaign is a crucial time for healthcare professionals and the public to focus on nutritional health.

How many people are affected by malnutrition?

Malnutrition affects a significant portion of the population, particularly hospitalized patients. Studies indicate that approximately one-third of all hospitalized adults in the United States are malnourished or at risk.

What are the economic costs of malnutrition?

The economic burden of disease-associated malnutrition is substantial, with estimates suggesting costs exceeding $150 billion annually in the United States. These costs stem from longer hospital stays, increased readmissions, and higher rates of complications.

What is the difference between undernutrition and malnutrition?

Undernutrition is a specific type of malnutrition caused by insufficient intake of energy and nutrients. Malnutrition is a broader term encompassing both undernutrition (deficiencies) and overnutrition (excesses) or imbalances in nutrient intake.

How to Observe Malnutrition Awareness Week

Help create awareness about malnutrition

Advertising webinars and workshops on malnutrition awareness to people will encourage their participation. You can also post insightful information about malnutrition on social media, and educate the people around you.

Attend malnutrition awareness events

There is a lot of useful knowledge to apply to yourself and the people around you that can be acquired from attending malnutrition awareness events. Be the first supporter of your own health.

Sign the petition

ASPEN is currently on a mission to make Malnutrition Awareness Week a national event, meaning recognized by all 50 states. Help the good cause by signing the petition to your state governor to publicly declare the event.

5 Interesting Facts About Malnutrition

Malnutrition affects billions of people

Statistics show that two billion people worldwide suffer from malnutrition.

Malnutrition comes in all sizes

People with malnutrition can be both underweight or overweight.

Malnutrition does not discriminate

Malnutrition is a significant problem across the world, including in the U.S — older individuals are exposed to a higher risk of malnutrition.

Malnutrition programs are not costly

Scaling up programs to target malnutrition worldwide would cost only 11.8 billion dollars per year, compared to 618.7 billion dollars spent on the U.S. military expenditures in 2013.

Two-thirds of malnutrition victims live in Asia

Although not the continent with the highest malnutrition rate, two-thirds of those struggling with malnutrition stay in Asia.

Why Malnutrition Awareness Week is Important

Sensitize the public about Malnutrition

Sharing useful information about malnutrition to the public in a dedicated week may encourage everyone to pay more attention to how nutrition plays a role in their general well-being. This in turn will lead to a healthier way of life for all, especially if we find out ways to contribute to others’ well-being.

Useful education

Healthcare specialists, caregivers, patients, and everyone else acquires useful information from the movement on malnutrition awareness. The more people are aware, the fewer cases of undiagnosed conditions will happen.

Promote good attitude to nutritional health

This week provides a chance for people to recognize how harmful malnutrition can be. It also encourages people to pay attention to their nutrition and care more about getting help for people who need it.