Nutrition and Hydration Week

This year, Nutrition and Hydration Week will take place from March 17th to 23rd, 2025. Its goal is to raise awareness and educate people about the importance of food and drink in supporting health and well-being.

The mission of Nutrition and Hydration Week is:

‘To create a global movement that will focus energy, activity and engagement on nutrition and hydration as a fundamental element of maintaining health and well-being for our global community.’

With tighter budget constraints making public health efforts more challenging, Nutrition and Hydration Week is one of the most cost-effective health interventions available.

Why is good nutrition and hydration important?

Malnutrition and dehydration are significant concerns in health and social care services and are more common than many realize.

Around 1 in 3 patients admitted to hospitals or care homes are either malnourished or at risk of becoming so.

These statistics are concerning, but what is even more alarming is the impact they have. Poor nutrition and dehydration can negatively affect patients’ health and well-being, hinder their ability to recover from illness, and lead to longer hospital or care home stays. This, in turn, places additional strain on patients, healthcare providers, and the system.

Good nutrition and hydration are crucial not only for patients and service users but for everyone. We all benefit from nourishing our bodies with nutritious food and staying hydrated throughout the day.

Life can be busy, especially for those working in healthcare, and it’s often challenging to find time to prepare healthy meals and drink enough water.

Take this week as an opportunity to assess and improve the quality of nutrition and hydration provided to both healthcare patients and service users—and to yourself. This can help reduce avoidable hospital stays and improve overall health and well-being.

Visit the Nutrition and Hydration Week website to find out more.