Lockdown could lead to malnutrition among vulnerable islanders, Jersey dietician warns

Health experts are launching a new campaign to stress the importance of a healthy diet as part of Malnutrition Awareness Week. Credit: PA

Vulnerable people in Jersey may be at an increased risk of malnutrition because of lockdown restrictions, a senior dietician has warned.

Health experts are launching a new campaign to stress the importance of a healthy diet as part of Malnutrition Awareness Week.

They warn that malnutrition can have a particular impact on those who are frail or have underlying health conditions including cancer, respiratory conditions and autoimmune diseases - which could be exacerbated because of lockdown.

The aim of the campaign is to help practitioners spot the signs of malnutrition and to take steps to prevent it, using information from the Malnutrition Task Force and BAPEN, a group of UK-based organisations specialising in nutrition.

The awareness week will provide HCS staff with tools and resources on how to identify malnutrition, how to help prevent it and what to do if they have concerns about patients, friends or family members.