The Scottish Government has been urged to act as a charity claimed 16% of pensioners are at risk of malnutrition.

Research by older people’s charity Food Train looked at the extent of food insecurity in the elderly, but the group fears the figure could be much higher than reported.

Food Train will this week write to every MSP in Holyrood calling for all agencies supporting older people to implement mandatory screening for malnutrition, as well as the right to food to be embedded in Scots law and the creation of an older people’s minister post.

The research looked at eight areas of Scotland, along with the country as a whole, and found 28% of pensioners in Glasgow were at risk of malnutrition in the past three years, with the same figure found in Falkirk, followed by 23% in Stirling and Clackmannanshire and 23% in Dundee.

The research looked at eight areas of ScotlandThe research looked at eight areas of Scotland (Image: PA)

Food Train chief executive Rosie McLuskie said: “In this day and age, it’s staggering that 16% of older people are at risk of malnutrition in Scotland.

“Rates simply shouldn’t be so high.

“But the concerning reality is that this number is likely to be just the tip of the iceberg.

“The people we have screened are those who have accessed a service run by us, or one of our partners.

“What about the people who aren’t using services like ours and are slipping through the net?

“Malnourishment among older people is a hidden problem, which has a serious impact on people’s health.

“For their sake, we need to redouble efforts to get an accurate picture of the scale of those at risk – and those who are actually malnourished and need immediate help.”

She added: “There’s lots of talk about food poverty but not access to food.

“Making sure that people have access to food is so important and needs to be addressed in public policy.”

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Jen Grant, a dietitian working on one of Food Train’s projects, said: “Malnourishment is both a cause and consequence of ill health.

“People who are malnourished are at increased risk of becoming unwell and malnourishment can exacerbate other health concerns – including becoming frail and suffering falls.”

Public Health Secretary Jenni Minto said: “Scotland’s communities experience health, quality of life and life expectancy differently across our society.

“No one should have to compromise on food or other essentials, and we are working to support older people and tackle poverty.

“We’re focused on working with partners and taking preventative action to drive improvements in population health which will increase healthy life expectancy and reduce health inequalities.”