"It's
getting worse because people can't afford good quality food. It's getting worse
where malnutrition, rickets and other manifestations of extreme poor diet are
becoming apparent," he said.
The
number of people needing emergency supplies from food bank charity the Trussell
Trust rose by more than a fifth this time last year, it said.
Charity
director Adrian Curtis told the Daily Mirror they expect similar figures this
year. "School holidays are especially difficult for low income families
whose children usually receive free school meals or support from breakfast
clubs," he told the newspaper.
In
May a letter signed by 170 members of the faculty, the leading professional
body for more than 3,300 public health specialists in the UK, was sent to David
Cameron pressing for action over the issue of food poverty.
Part
of the letter to the Prime Minister said: "Many hardworking families in
the UK are living in poverty and do not have enough income for a decent
diet."
Health
Minister Dan Poulter said the rise in malnutrition could be down to better
diagnosis. "We want to reduce levels of malnutrition, particularly amongst
frail and elderly people," Poulter told the BBC. "We are working with
Age UK on a half a million pound project, which aims to tackle the issue in a range
of health and care settings. We've also given local authorities a £5.4bn budget
over two years to help them manage public health issues, including
malnutrition, in their areas."
