Malnutrition

Breast-feeding a baby for at least six months is considered the best way to prevent early-childhood malnutrition. The United States Department of Agriculture and Health and Human Services recommend that all Americans over the age of two:

• Consume plenty of fruits, grains, and vegetables.
• Eat a variety of foods that are low in fats and cholesterols and contain only moderate amounts of salt, sugars, and sodium.
• Engage in moderate physical activity for at least 30 minutes, at least several times a week.
• Achieve or maintain their ideal weight.
• Use alcohol sparingly or avoid it altogether.

Every patient admitted to a hospital should be screened for the presence of illnesses and conditions that could lead to protein-energy malnutrition. Patients with higher-than-average risk for malnutrition should be more closely assessed and reevaluated often during long-term hospitalization or nursing-home care.