Abstract
BackgroundThere is no accepted or standardized definition of ‘malnutrition’. Hence, there is also no definition of what constitutes an adequate nutritional status. In elderly people, assessment of nutritional status is complex and is complicated by multi-morbidity and disabilities combined with nutrition-related problems, such as dysphagia, decreased appetite, fatigue, and muscle weakness.ObjectiveWe propose a nutritional status model that presents nutritional status from a comprehensive functional perspective. This model visualizes the complexity of the nutritional status in elderly people.Design and resultsThe presented model could be interpreted as the nutritional status is conditional to a person’s optimal function or situation. Another way of looking at it might be that a person’s nutritional status affects his or her optimal situation. The proposed model includes four domains: (1) physical function and capacity; (2) health and somatic disorders; (3) food and nutrition; and (4) cognitive, affective, and sensory function. Each domain has a major impact on nutritional status, which in turn has a major impact on the outcome of each domain.ConclusionsNutritional status is a multifaceted concept and there exist several knowledge gaps in the diagnosis, prevention, and optimization of treatment of inadequate nutritional status in elderly people. The nutritional status model may be useful in nutritional assessment research, as well as in the clinical setting.
Highlights
There is no accepted or standardized definition of ‘malnutrition’
Too often research including nutritional assessments ignores the complexity of nutritional status in elderly people and uses a single parameter such as low body mass index or low energy intake, or else it is based on simple screening methods such as the Mini Nutritional Assessment or Subjective Global Assessment
We argue that nutritional status is a multi-faceted concept and the presented model highlights the complexity
Summary
Disorders, and treatments affecting their nutritional status. Nutritional research, as well as the clinical methodology of nutritional assessment, has to explore associations between nutritional status and its predictors, exposures, and outcomes. Too often research including nutritional assessments ignores the complexity of nutritional status in elderly people and uses a single parameter such as low body mass index or low energy intake, or else it is based on simple screening methods such as the Mini Nutritional Assessment or Subjective Global Assessment. In the proposed nutritional status model, the goal for actions and treatment in the clinical setting is to identify and achieve optimal function (and the optimal situation) for each person or patient. The model describes the complex interaction between four domains contributing to the overall goal – the optimal function. We use four domains, overall categories or blocks in a comprehensive framework, to facilitate a fruitful discussion as part of the process of assessing nutritional status.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
