One in ten clients with unintentional weight loss or malnutrition receives more care from the dietitian than is reimbursed under the basic health insurance system

Research conducted by Nivel shows that in 2022 10% of clients received more than 180 minutes of treatment per year, while the current basic health insurance reimburses a maximum of 180 minutes per year. From 2020 to 2022, there was an increase in the proportion of adults diagnosed with unintentional weight loss (from 11% to 15%) or malnutrition (from 6% to 7%) receiving treatment from the dietitian. These clients were often over 65 years old and mainly came to the dietitian after a referral from the GP.

Every year, Nivel publishes information on the care process, content of care, evaluation of care and characteristics of patients treated by a dietitian in primary care. This includes data on the number of patients visiting the dietitian for unintentional weight loss or malnutrition. The European dietary guidelines show the importance of treatment for these patients, to reduce the risk of negative health outcomes, such as a slower recovery from illness, lower quality of life or increased mortality risk Results from this Nivel study can support stakeholders, for instance professional associations and policy makers, in demonstrating the importance of a proactive approach in the treatment of unintentional weight loss or malnutrition.

Extract from Patients with unintended weight loss or malnutrition with dietetic treatment in primary care setting over 2020, 2021 and 2022: proportion of patients treated by a dietitian for unintentional weight loss or malnutrition per total minutes of treatment time per patient per year.