Nutrition in Focus 2026-2027
Access the latest insights on key clinical nutrition challenges, evolving patient needs and trends in clinical nutrition practice.
With esteemed and experienced dietitian contributors, we explore the context and clinical practice insights in malnutrition, plant-based diets and sustainability, developments and innovation in medical nutrition, the increased use of GLP-1RA’s in practice, and sarcopenia, to name a few.
Let’s use this evidence-based report to support further development in practice and research to improve care for patients.
Key findings include
£19.6
Billion
The NHS Confederation (2023) estimates that the total annual cost of malnutrition is £19.6 billion, with approximately half attributed to adults aged over 65 years.¹,²
89%
of dietitians agreeing that there is a rising interest in blended diets and, notably, 14% of their current caseload reported to be following one³
GLP1-RAs
For patients, GLP-1RAs offer new hope. For clinicians, they demand new approaches. For policymakers, they represent both an opportunity and a challenge.
of dietitians rated protein
quality as very or extremely
important in managing
malnutrition in their
patients, yet 73% believed it
is not adequately addressed
in current practice.³
of dietitians agreed that
plant-based ONS can be as
effective as animal-based
ONS³
of dietitians reported
a growing demand for
plant-based ONS³
of dietitians reported an increasing
demand for plant-based products
in the AYMES National Dietitian
Survey 2025
of dietitians feel their day-to-day work has been impacted by the prevalence of sarcopenia⁴
of 142 HETF HCPs surveyed, were not confident about advising patients and carers on recycling HETF items³
Risk factors for dysphagia include:
Understanding dysphagia
of dieticians reported that they regularly see patients with dysphagia who are also malnourished4
Individuals with dysphagia often face significant challenges in meeting their nutritional needs, which can lead to malnutrition and other health complications. Effective management of dysphagia requires a multidisciplinary approach, including dietary modifications and texture adjustments to ensure safe swallowing and adequate nutrient intake.
"The last year has brought significant shifts in dietetic practice with GLP-1 therapies reshaping patient management, the sustainability agenda accelerating, and workforce challenges continuing. This report gives you evidence, insights and practical recommendations to navigate these challenges whilst promoting innovation in dietetic practice."
Gain early access to the full report here
References:
1. Elia M. The cost of malnutrition in England and potential cost savings from nutritional interventions (full
report). 2015.
2. Confederation N. Tackling poverty and the cost of food. 2023.
3. AYMES. National Dietitian Survey. 2025.
4. Kirk B, Cawthon PM, Arai H, Ávila-Funes JA, Barazzoni R, Bhasin S, et al. The Conceptual Definition of Sarcopenia: Delphi Consensus from the Global Leadership Initiative in Sarcopenia (GLIS). Age and Ageing. 2024;53(3).