Malnutrition in Older Adults

Malnutrition in older adults, defined as undernutrition (protein-energy malnutrition), is a prevalent condition with serious consequences, including physical/cognitive disability, increased disease complications, and higher mortality. This review highlights its multifactorial etiology, combining physiological aging (e.g., anorexia of aging), physical/mental impairments, diseases, medications, and social factors. The Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) criteria are recommended for diagnosis, requiring phenotypic (e.g., weight loss, low BMI) and etiologic (e.g., reduced intake, inflammation) evidence. Prevalence ranges from 3% in community settings to 50% in hospitals or nursing homes. Management involves individualized, multimodal strategies: screening (e.g., Mini Nutritional Assessment Short Form), addressing underlying causes (e.g., dysphagia, polypharmacy), and nutritional interventions (oral supplements, food fortification, or enteral/parenteral nutrition when oral intake is insufficient). Key recommendations include protein intake ≥1.0 g/kg/day and energy targets of 30 kcal/kg/day. The article emphasizes early prevention and comprehensive geriatric assessment to mitigate adverse outcomes.

Malnutrition in older adults, defined as undernutrition (protein-energy malnutrition), is a prevalent condition with serious consequences, including physical/cognitive disability, increased disease complications, and higher mortality. This review highlights its multifactorial etiology, combining physiological aging (e.g., anorexia of aging), physical/mental impairments, diseases, medications, and social factors. The Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) criteria are recommended for diagnosis, requiring phenotypic (e.g., weight loss, low BMI) and etiologic (e.g., reduced intake, inflammation) evidence. Prevalence ranges from 3% in community settings to 50% in hospitals or nursing homes. Management involves individualized, multimodal strategies: screening (e.g., Mini Nutritional Assessment Short Form), addressing underlying causes (e.g., dysphagia, polypharmacy), and nutritional interventions (oral supplements, food fortification, or enteral/parenteral nutrition when oral intake is insufficient). Key recommendations include protein intake ≥1.0 g/kg/day and energy targets of 30 kcal/kg/day. The article emphasizes early prevention and comprehensive geriatric assessment to mitigate adverse outcomes.