Medical Nutrition Market Size, Share, Growth Analysis, By Type(Paediatric Nutrition, Elderly Nutrition, Parenteral Nutrition, and Sports Nutrition), By Product Type(Amino Acid Solutions, Multivitamin Supplements, Antioxidants, Lipid Emulsions), By Application(Pulmonary Disease, Cancer, Gastrointestinal Disease, Obesity), By Administration Route(Oral, Parenteral, and Intravenous), By Region - Industry Forecast 2024-2031

Drivers 

The Rising Senior Population Worldwide

• According to a report from the World Health Organization (WHO) on aging, the number of elderly people in North America is increasing compared to younger people. For example, in the USA, the percentage of adults aged 65 and older is 15.2%, while children under 18 make up 22.8%. But by 2060, these numbers are expected to switch, with adults over 65 making up 23.4% and children under 18 at 19.8%. By 2034, there will likely be an equal number of adults and young people in the USA, both totaling 77 million. Similarly, the Asia Pacific region is also seeing an increase in its elderly population. By 2050, one in four people in the region will be elderly, totaling 1.3 billion people. However, this average will vary depending on the country's development status. For instance, countries like Japan, the Republic of Korea, and Singapore are expected to have 33% of their population aged 60 and above. Elderly people are more prone to diabetes and other metabolic disorders, which may require medical nutrition to manage their condition. They may also need guidance from a nutritionist during surgeries, with medical nutrition therapy recommended to help them manage their blood sugar levels throughout their lives.

Rising Healthcare Expenditure

• As healthcare spending rises in both developed and developing countries, it's driving growth in the medical nutrition market. Governments and healthcare organizations are realizing that using medical nutrition to manage diseases is cost-effective and helps reduce hospital stays.

Treating Acute Malnutrition in Non-Hospital Settings

• Acute malnutrition happens when children are extremely underweight for their height, according to WHO standards. To tackle this serious problem, it's crucial to provide proper nutrition to both mothers and children. Malnutrition is a leading cause of death in children under five, accounting for 35% of deaths. However, with proper follow-up from a medical nutritionist and other changes, this fatality rate can be reduced by 55% in hospitals. But not all cases require hospitalization; many can be treated in outpatient settings or community programs. These settings allow for wider reach and basic care for metabolic health. Outpatient nutrition programs are becoming more popular, like the one in a refugee camp near the African Republic border. Here, an approach called IMAM (Integrated Management of Acute Malnutrition) is used to educate children and their mothers about proper feeding and essential nutrition. This program has been successful, with 3,053 out of 4,326 treated children being cured.

Dietary Shifts and the Growth of Medical Nutrition Industry

• Changes in our eating habits, like smoking, drinking alcohol, working long hours, and eating a lot of fast food, have led to not getting enough of the nutrients our bodies need. This is one reason why the medical nutrition industry is growing.

Restraints 

Side Effects and Complications

• One big reason why the medical nutrition market isn't growing as much is because some products can cause side effects and complications. For example, a report from the National Institute of Health in September 2020 showed that certain nutritional supplements can have strong effects on our bodies and can cause side effects if taken in high doses instead of prescribed medications. These supplements may increase the risk of bleeding during surgery and can affect how anesthesia works.

High Production Costs

• High production costs pose a significant challenge for the global medical nutrition market. These costs stem from various factors, including the need for high-quality ingredients, adherence to strict regulatory standards, and specialized manufacturing processes. Manufacturers must navigate these expenses while ensuring the delivery of safe and effective products. Balancing cost-effectiveness with quality remains a key concern for stakeholders in the industry.

Low Exposure Towards Nutrition

• Many people don't know much about medical nutrition, especially in areas with low education levels and little oversight of big companies. For example, in Yemen, a lot of children suffer from acute malnutrition. Out of 1.4 million children (about half the population of Nevada), 10% of them are affected. The number increased by 15.5% in 2020 because of COVID-19, political issues, and economic problems. Also, well-known medical nutrition brands aren't widely available in these areas. These factors can slow down the growth of the global medical nutrition market.

Adapting to Evolving Dietary Guidelines in Medical Nutrition Industry

• Dietary guidelines are always changing as new research comes out. Manufacturers need to keep up with these changes and adjust their products and how they market them. Making sure medical nutrition products follow the latest guidelines is an ongoing challenge.