§ Mr. Alex CarlileTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the number of recorded cases of malnutrition, per region, of(a) those below 16 years of age and (b) those 16 years old and above for the last five years for which figures are available. [19696]
§ Mr. SackvilleMalnutrition is a term which covers a wide variety of single or combined deficiencies of nutrients and/or energy. The Department of Health does not collect information specifically about the incidence of malnutrition, but in conjunction with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food it carries out dietary and nutritional surveys of groups of the population to gain information on the food and nutrient intakes and nutritional status of the population. Copies of the reports of these surveys are placed in the Library. Current surveillance indicates that on average children and adults in the United Kingdom are not malnourished in terms of energy or any specific nutrient, except iron.