Hopes a study revealing some of our elderly aren't eating enough - raises awareness and instigates change

A University of Otago study - "From Menu to Mouth" - is a New Zealand first - and shows more than half of people living in aged care facilities are at risk of malnutrition.

Lead author, Wathsala Nanayakkara says encouraging some of our elderly population to eat more - is key.

She says if people can finish their meal, they should be encouraged to take a bigger first portion, or eat seconds.

Nanayakkara hopes to run a bigger study and later look at interventions.