The study, conducted by Abbott Laboratories’ nutrition division and the University of Illinois, noted one in three patients who arrive at a U.S.-hospital suffer from malnutrition. A further one-third become malnourished during their stay. Disease-associated malnutrition (DAM), which is linked with longer hospital stays, higher rates of readmission and increased mortality, is considered an invisible affliction as it occurs in both obese and underweight individuals.