September Is Malnutrition Awareness Week: What Midland Needs to Know
When most people think of malnutrition, they often picture poverty-stricken regions in
developing countries. However, malnutrition is a serious and often overlooked public health
issue right here in the United States — including Midland, Texas.
Malnutrition isn’t just about lack of food. It means deficiencies, excesses, or imbalances in
nutrient intake. This can appear as undernutrition (low body weight, muscle loss),
overnutrition (metabolic problems and muscle loss in overweight/obese individuals),
nutrition-related chronic diseases (diabetes, heart disease, certain cancers), or
micronutrient deficiencies (vitamins A & D, iron, iodine). The effects impact physical and
cognitive health, increase healthcare costs, and reduce quality of life.
Alarming Research Data
A 2019 Clinical Nutrition study found 30–50% of adults in U.S. hospitals are malnourished or
at risk. Older adults—especially those living alone or without support—are most vulnerable,
but anyone can develop malnutrition due to illness, injury, poverty, or poor diet.
Malnutrition slows healing, raises infection risk, causes muscle weakness, and can lead to
death. The CDC reported malnutrition-related deaths increased from about 9,300 in 2018 to
20,500 in 2022. Over 34 million Americans—including many children and seniors—face food
insecurity, a major malnutrition contributor. Experts expect malnutrition-related deaths to
keep rising.
Mark Your Calendar: Malnutrition Awareness Week
From September 8-12, 2025, Malnutrition Awareness Week encourages early detection and
treatment. It reminds healthcare providers and families to prioritize nutrition and helps
communities like Midland support those at risk.
How Midland Memorial Hospital Is Helping
Midland Memorial Hospital (MMH) is fighting malnutrition locally. Living in a “food desert” —
where access to healthy, affordable food is limited — increases malnutrition risk. Since
September 2023, MMH has used a special tool to screen and monitor malnourished
patients. Beginning January 2024, MMH started sharing nutrition data with the national
Hospital Inpatient Quality Reporting (IQR) program to improve care quality and patient
outcomes.
MMH screens every patient for malnutrition at admission. Registered dietitians (RDs) —
licensed to provide medical nutrition therapy unlike nutritionists — review medical and
nutrition history, body measurements, physical signs, labs, and more to catch malnutrition
early. Then, identified patients receive personalized care such as nutrition education,
supplements, or nutrition support such as tube (enteral nutrition) or IV nutrition (parenteral
nutrition). MMH also teaches patients and families how to maintain good nutrition
post-discharge and connects them to community resources.
Community Support in Midland
Addressing malnutrition requires teamwork. Several local organizations contribute:
● West Texas Food Bank supports 19 counties with food pantries, nutrition education,
gardening, programs for kids, and more.
● Meals on Wheels delivers hot, nutritious meals to seniors over 60 who qualify.
● WIC Clinics provide food, nutrition counseling, prenatal vitamins, breastfeed support
to pregnant women and families with children under 5.
● Lifestyle Medicine Center offers outpatient dietitian services and medical nutrition
therapy without referrals.
● The Food FARMacy (a Midland Health and West Texas Food Bank partnership)
supplies patients with healthy food, cooking classes, and nutrition education.
Physician or case manager referral needed.
Looking Forward
Malnutrition is complex but treatable. Through awareness, education, screening, food
access, and coordinated care, we can improve health in Midland and beyond. If you or
someone you know may be at risk, don’t wait—talk to your healthcare provider about a
nutrition checkup. Reach out to local programs like West Texas Food Bank, Meals on
Wheels, WIC, or the Lifestyle Medicine Center. Together, we can ensure everyone in Midland
has access to the nutrition needed to have healthier lives.