SINGAPORE: Several hospitals in Singapore have been seeing more cases of older adults at risk of malnutrition in the past two years, due to factors like multiple chronic illnesses and appetite changes.
According to NHG Health, the proportion of such patients who were admitted to its institutions rose from 30 per cent in 2022 to 40 per cent last year.
The healthcare cluster comprises three public hospitals, a community hospital and nine polyclinics, including Tan Tock Seng Hospital and Khoo Teck Puat Hospital.
“More are consuming insufficient energy and protein, and so this often results in unintended weight loss and a decline in physical function,” noted Adjunct Associate Professor Lim Yen Peng, NHG’s director of group allied health and senior principal dietician.
In 2023, about 56 per cent of patients seen by NHG Health’s dieticians were found to be malnourished or at risk of malnutrition. This rose to 66 per cent in 2025.
Doctors warned malnutrition could lead to a greater risk of dementia or falls among seniors.
AFFECTS MOOD, MEMORY
Adj Assoc Prof Lim said contributing factors include a decrease in appetite as people age due to changes in their sense of taste and smell. Eating less means seniors may not be getting enough nutrients from their meals.
Protein and key vitamins are especially lacking, said doctors.
