Cost of living: GP concerns over rise in signs of malnutrition

Posted: February 13th 2023

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The Deep End agenda profiled here, which has its origins in part at least in Australia is really insightful and fits deprived rural communities really well – let me know if you would like more information.

More cases of malnutrition are being seen in Scotland, according to doctors working in some of the most deprived communities.

A group called GPs at the Deep End is concerned the cost-of-living crisis is making people more reliant on cheaper, processed foods.

Dr Jen Dooley told the BBC people were choosing the wrong foods to 'fill up'.

She said she often saw patients lacking in basic vitamins and minerals.

GPs at the Deep End is a network representing doctors working in surgeries in the 100 most deprived populations in the country.

Dr Dooley, who is based in Port Glasgow in Inverclyde, said: "We're seeing a lot of cases where people come to us feeling a whole diverse range of presentation - fatigue, tiredness - and when we're investigating, we're finding signs of malnutrition."