MUST Screening Basics: A Simple Way to Spot Nutrition Risk
For: Adults
💊 Quick Take
- MUST is a practical screening tool for adult malnutrition risk.
- It combines BMI, recent unplanned weight loss, and acute illness impact on intake.
- Screening helps decide urgency and appropriate nutrition support.
Read the full guide below for more context.
MUST (Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool) is widely used in UK clinical settings for adults. It does not diagnose a disease by itself, but it helps identify who needs faster nutrition assessment and support. Children and teens need age-appropriate assessment instead of MUST.
What MUST considers
- Current BMI
- Percentage of unplanned weight loss
- Acute illness effect: currently no intake, or likely no intake, for more than 5 days
How scores are grouped
- Score 0: low risk (continue routine care and re-screen as appropriate)
- Score 1: medium risk (observe intake, plan support, and monitor closely)
- Score 2 or more: high risk (urgent nutrition care plan and prompt clinical review)
Why this helps
- Flags low, medium, or high risk clearly
- Supports consistent care planning across settings
- Prompts timely referral when risk is elevated
How to use this information
- Ask your clinician whether nutrition screening has been done.
- If risk is medium/high, request a clear follow-up plan.
- Do not self-diagnose from one score; use professional assessment.
- Request a second opinion if you feel your concerns are not being addressed.
- Related reads: Malnutrition Basics and Red Flags, Who Is at Higher Risk of Malnutrition?, First Steps If You Are at Risk of Malnutrition.
Content Framework
BiteToBalance is a prevention-focused wellness tool for education and self-management support only, not a replacement for clinical care.
Last reviewed: 2026-02-28
Reviewer role: Clinical Content Team
Evidence level: Guideline-based
Safety Signposting
If there is severe deterioration, confusion, dehydration, or inability to maintain intake, seek urgent medical care.
Red flags
- Rapid recent weight loss
- Very low intake for several days
- Clinical decline with weakness or dizziness
What to do next
- Request formal nutrition screening in clinic
- Ask for documented follow-up actions and timeline
- Escalate urgently when red flags are present
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