Malnutrition In Elderly People Research Articles

Prevalence of Dysphagia and Risk of Malnutrition in Elderly Living in Nursing Homes.

Swallowing difficulties commonly co-occur with malnutrition in the elderly. However, there is no consensus on which assessment tools to use, and thus reported prevalence varies. The aim of this study was to survey the prevalence of dysphagia and risk of malnutrition in elderly people in nursing homes, evaluate the possible associations between swallowing function and malnutrition and survey whether there were associations between self-perceived function and the results of a screening of dysphagia. A total of 35 residents (aged 67-100years old) without serious cognitive impairment in the general wards of two nursing homes in Gothenburg were investigated. Swallowing ability was assessed with the Gugging Swallowing Screen (GUSS) test, self-rated swallowing ability with the 4QT and the Swedish Eating Assessment Tool-10 (S-EAT-10) and risk of malnutrition with the Minimal Eating Observation and Nutrition Form-Version 2 (MEONF-II). Eleven participants (31.4%) exhibited dysphagia according to the GUSS and 10 participants (29.4%) showed moderate or high risk of malnutrition. In total 16 (46%) participants reported abnormal swallowing on 4QT and 14 (40%) participants reported abnormal swallowing on S-EAT-10. However, less than half of these had dysphagia according to the GUSS. No association was found between swallowing ability measured by the GUSS and risk of malnutrition, although a tendency towards a weak association was noted, or self-rated swallowing ability measured by the 4QT and S-EAT-10. The study found that approximately one-third of the tested participants presented with signs of dysphagia as measured with the screening instrument GUSS, even though only a few were known to have any difficulties prior to testing. This highlights that dysphagia is probably more prevalent than patients themselves and caregivers are aware of, thus, screening is of importance, to enable safer nutritional intake.

Violência doméstica, obesidade e desnutrição em pessoas idosas de uma capital do Sul do Brasil - Estudo EpiFloripa Idoso

Abstract The objective of this article was to verify the association between domestic violence and obesity and malnutrition in elderly people in Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil. Cross-sectional study evaluated in the EpiFloripa Elderly cohort in 2013/2014. The outcomes were body mass index (BMI) and abdominal obesity (increased WC). Violence against elderly people was measured using the HawlekSengstock Elder Abuse Screening Test (H-S/EAST) instrument, and IPV using the Conflict Tatics Scales Form R (CTS-1) instrument. Logistic regression and multinomial logistic regression models were used. It was observed that men had a greater chance of abdominal obesity when in situations of violence and in the potential abuse dimension. Women were more likely to have abdominal obesity in the dimension of violation of personal rights or abuse, when they suffered IPV and when they were perpetrators of IPV. In relation to BMI, elderly women in situations of violence were associated with a greater chance of being overweight and those who suffered IPV. On the other hand, men in vulnerable situations were more likely to be underweight. It is concluded that violence against elderly people and IPV generate an asymmetric impact on nutritional status in relation to sex.

Nutrition and Healthy Aging: Prevention and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Diseases.

Nutritional well-being is a fundamental aspect for the health, autonomy and, therefore, the quality of life of all people, but especially of the elderly. It is estimated that at least half of non-institutionalized elderly people need nutritional intervention to improve their health and that 85% have one or more chronic diseases that could improve with correct nutrition. Although prevalence estimates are highly variable, depending on the population considered and the tool used for its assessment, malnutrition in the elderly has been reported up to 50%. Older patients are particularly at risk of malnutrition, due to multiple etiopathogenetic factors which can lead to a reduction or utilization in the intake of nutrients, a progressive loss of functional autonomy with dependence on food, and psychological problems related to economic or social isolation, e.g., linked to poverty or loneliness. Changes in the aging gut involve the mechanical disintegration of food, gastrointestinal motor function, food transit, intestinal wall function, and chemical digestion of food. These alterations progressively lead to the reduced ability to supply the body with adequate levels of nutrients, with the consequent development of malnutrition. Furthermore, studies have shown that the quality of life is impaired both in gastrointestinal diseases, but especially in malnutrition. A better understanding of the pathophysiology of malnutrition in elderly people is necessary to promote the knowledge of age-related changes in appetite, food intake, homeostasis, and body composition in order to better develop effective prevention and intervention strategies to achieve healthy aging.

An evaluation of the nutritional status of elderly with the use of the MNA questionnaire and determination of factors contributing to malnutrition. A pilot study.

In the elderly, nutrition significantly influences biological aging and physiological and pathological changes in the body. A balanced diet and physical activity are the key to good physical and mental health. The aim of this study was: (1) to perform nutritional screening tests in senior citizens residing in eastern Poland and (2) to evaluate the risk of malnutrition in elderly people who live with their families, seniors who live independently, and residents of nursing homes. The Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) screening tool comprising a questionnaire with 22 questions and an abbreviated and survey-adapted version of the questionnaire (KomPAN) were used to investigate eating habits and self-perception of health and nutrition. A total of 398 correctly filled out questionnaires were selected and the resulting data were subjected to statistical analyses in the Statistica 10 program. The BMI values of most respondents were indicative or malnutrition or risk of malnutrition, regardless of gender (mean BMI 23.88 kg/m2 ±5.08). Most overweight and obese respondents were female (p=0.0001). The observed decreased BMI values was significantly (p=0.0012, rs= 0.6714) correlated with lower food intake. Unintentional weight loss greater than 3 kg was most frequently noted in respondents living in nursing homes and living independently (p=0.0021). Eating difficulties also considerably influenced the respondents' nutritional status. The respondents' BMI values were significantly correlated (p<0.0001) with their MNA scores, the average MNA score was 21.0±4.4, (rs = 0.7293). Overweight and obese respondents were more likely to consume at least three meals daily (OR=1.87; 95% CI: 1.32-2.06; p<0.001). The BMI values and MNA scores of the tested subjects indicate that the majority of the surveyed respondents were malnourished or at risk of malnutrition, regardless of gender. In the present study, the residential environment significantly influenced the patients' nutritional status, in particular in respondents with impaired motor abilities and eating difficulties.

New collaborative and participatory program for malnutrition management in the elders after hospitalization

Malnutrition in the elderly people is frequent and serious. Management of malnutrition at home after hospitalization is unsatisfactory. The objective of the study is to evaluate the feasibility and participation of a new collaborative and participative program involving the patient, the general practitioner and the dietician nutritionist, to fight against malnutrition in the elderly people at home after hospitalization. This was a prospective and non-randomized study performed from May 2015 to February 2016, in subjects aged 75 and more, malnourished, with an MMSE score > 20 and returning homes after hospitalization. At home, a dietician worked with the patients and their general practitioner for 3 months. Patient participation and satisfaction of the 3 actors were assessed. Forty-four patients were included and 11.9% (n=8) benefited from the entire program. Present entourage (p=0.001), dietary education to the entourage (p=0,003), a high MMSE score (p=0.04), having an ulcer (p=0.0097), and a high weight at discharge (p=0.03) increased patients' participation. Patients (78.6%) and general practitioners (75%) were satisfied with the program. Patients criticized the lack of involvement of the general practitioner. General practitioners felt they had not acquired any knowledge of dietetics. Patient participation and collaboration between actors of the program of management of malnutrition in elderly people were considered weak.

Aging and nutrition. Paving the way to better health.

Sufficient caloric intake is important to maintain the balanced health status, especially during the period of aging, as aging and sickness share paths. Maintaining adequate nutritional balance is the best preventive measure to counteract the risk of malnutrition. There are several causes for malnutrition in elderly people, and some techniques such as anthropometric measurements, laboratory and clinical parameters could help to diagnose malnutrition in these patients. The use of a simple validated questionnaire called the 'Mini Nutritional Assessment' measures the nutritional status of elderly patients. In this review, we discuss about the malnutrition in elderly people with and without a known cause and we present some of nutritional intervention. There are promising strategies that help overcoming malnutrition.

Rice Flour: A Promising Food Material for Nutrition and Global Health.

Hunger and malnutrition, especially children, are still global issues today. Rice is a staple food for more than half of the world population and important nutritional source of not only carbohydrate but also protein. In recent aging societies, protein-energy malnutrition in elderly people emerges also as a social issue. Malnutrition in elderly people raises the risk of falling into age-related chronic diseases. Nutritional care can prevent elderly people from such age-related diseases. Rice and rice flour would be good foodstuff for preparation of diet suitable for and preferred by elderly people. Protein content of rice grains, like the other cereal grains, is less than 10% by weight, which is a little lower than meat and cheese, but higher than dairy milk and yoghurt. Nutritional quality of rice proteins is higher than the other cereal grains. Such relatively higher nutritional quality of rice proteins could be due to high copies of glutelin genes evolved from an ancestral gene common to soybean glycinin and resultant high content of legume-type seed storage proteins. Recently, rice flour became to be utilized for various processed food. The rice seed proteins as well as starch are accumulated in specific organelles termed protein bodies and amyloplast in the cells of endosperm and aleurone layer. By milling rice grains to flour particles consisting of protein and starch nanoparticles, processing characteristics of rice starch and proteins could be changed. To develop rice-based processed food for prevention of malnutrition, rice flour particles from various different rice sources could be blended for desired nutritional composition without spoiling the value of product food.

“Waves” mandate: Social enterprise for preventing sarcopenia and malnutrition in elderly people in Japan

“Waves” mandate: Social enterprise for preventing sarcopenia and malnutrition in elderly people in Japan

SUN-P059: “Are you Eating Properly?”: Increase Awareness of Malnutrition in Elderly People in Japan through Social Enterprise

SUN-P059: “Are you Eating Properly?”: Increase Awareness of Malnutrition in Elderly People in Japan through Social Enterprise

SUN-P046: A Campaign to Increase Awareness of Malnutrition in Elderly People in Japan: “Are you Eating Properly?” by Waves

SUN-P046: A Campaign to Increase Awareness of Malnutrition in Elderly People in Japan: “Are you Eating Properly?” by Waves

Swallowing Function and Nutritional Status in Japanese Elderly People Receiving Home-care Services: A 1-year Longitudinal Study.

Malnutrition is a serious health concern for frail elderly people. Poor oral function leading to insufficient food intake can contribute to the development of malnutrition. In the present study, we explored the longitudinal association of malnutrition with oral function, including oral health status and swallowing function, in elderly people receiving home nursing care. Prospective observational cohort study with 1-year follow-up. Two mid-sized cities in Fukuoka, Japan from November 2010 to March 2012. One hundred and ninety-seven individuals, aged ≥ 60 years, living at home and receiving home-care services because of physical disabilities, without malnutrition. Oral health status, swallowing function, taking modified-texture diets such as minced or pureed foods, nutritional status, cognitive function, and activities of daily living were assessed at baseline. The associations between malnutrition at 1-year follow-up and these related factors were analyzed using a logistic regression model. Swallowing disorders [risk ratio (RR): 5.21, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.65-16.43] were associated with malnutrition. On the other hand, oral health status did not have a direct association with malnutrition. Swallowing disorders may be associated with the incidence of malnutrition in elderly people receiving home-care. The findings indicate that maintaining swallowing function may contribute to the prevention of malnutrition in frail elderly people.

N05 - The G8 screening as a tool for malnutrition risk

Background: Incidence of cancer increases with age. In older cancer patients, important information may be missed without a Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA). A validated screening instrument is needed to identify patients for whom a CGA would be beneficial. G8 is a screening tool (8 questions) for older cancer patients in need of a CGA, it explores functional, cognitive, nutritional status and it takes 5 minutes; a score of ≤14 is considered abnormal.Objectives: To test the performance of the G8 ≤14 in older patients with solid cancer; to identify those who would benefit from a nutritional support when a reduced MNA in the Mini Nutritional Assessment in the CGA was found.Methods: Between January and April 2015, G8 was performed in 488 consecutive patients aged ≥70 years diagnosed with solid cancer at Vito Fazzi Hospital for a total of 963 G8. The G8 was administered 3 times in 78 patients and in 54 with G8 score <14, CGA (including MNA) were completed. MNA involves anthropometric measurements, global assessment, dietary questionnaire, a subjective assessment and it enables a subject to be categorized as normal (adequate nutrition), borderline (risk of malnutrition) or undernutrition. MNA is an 18-item questionnaire comprising anthropometric measurements (BMI, mid-arm/calf circumference, weight loss) combined with a questionnaire regarding dietary intake (number of meals consumed, food-fluid intake, feeding autonomy), a global assessment (lifestyle, medication, mobility, acute stress presence, presence of dementia/depression) and a self-assessment (self-perception of health and nutrition). Patients aged 70 years or older treated with chemotherapy for solid tumor and at risk of malnutrition (MNA) received Nutritional Advice.Results: 54 patients with 76 years median age were included; 31,4% (N = 17) had an abnormal MNA <24, risk factor of malnutrition (5 female, 12 male) for each of them Clinical Nutrition Unit adopted an individualized nutrition program with oral nutritional supplements (ready-made liquids) or in 2 patients parenteral nutrition. In these patients there was an improvement of the G8 due to the increase of the MNA to start the chemotherapy.Conclusion: G8 can be used in order to identify those patients who would benefit from a CGA and those who have a malnutrition risk. The results show that it is important to implement and develop strategies for individual nutritional care, in order to prevent and treat malnutrition in elderly people. Background: Incidence of cancer increases with age. In older cancer patients, important information may be missed without a Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA). A validated screening instrument is needed to identify patients for whom a CGA would be beneficial. G8 is a screening tool (8 questions) for older cancer patients in need of a CGA, it explores functional, cognitive, nutritional status and it takes 5 minutes; a score of ≤14 is considered abnormal. Objectives: To test the performance of the G8 ≤14 in older patients with solid cancer; to identify those who would benefit from a nutritional support when a reduced MNA in the Mini Nutritional Assessment in the CGA was found. Methods: Between January and April 2015, G8 was performed in 488 consecutive patients aged ≥70 years diagnosed with solid cancer at Vito Fazzi Hospital for a total of 963 G8. The G8 was administered 3 times in 78 patients and in 54 with G8 score <14, CGA (including MNA) were completed. MNA involves anthropometric measurements, global assessment, dietary questionnaire, a subjective assessment and it enables a subject to be categorized as normal (adequate nutrition), borderline (risk of malnutrition) or undernutrition. MNA is an 18-item questionnaire comprising anthropometric measurements (BMI, mid-arm/calf circumference, weight loss) combined with a questionnaire regarding dietary intake (number of meals consumed, food-fluid intake, feeding autonomy), a global assessment (lifestyle, medication, mobility, acute stress presence, presence of dementia/depression) and a self-assessment (self-perception of health and nutrition). Patients aged 70 years or older treated with chemotherapy for solid tumor and at risk of malnutrition (MNA) received Nutritional Advice. Results: 54 patients with 76 years median age were included; 31,4% (N = 17) had an abnormal MNA <24, risk factor of malnutrition (5 female, 12 male) for each of them Clinical Nutrition Unit adopted an individualized nutrition program with oral nutritional supplements (ready-made liquids) or in 2 patients parenteral nutrition. In these patients there was an improvement of the G8 due to the increase of the MNA to start the chemotherapy. Conclusion: G8 can be used in order to identify those patients who would benefit from a CGA and those who have a malnutrition risk. The results show that it is important to implement and develop strategies for individual nutritional care, in order to prevent and treat malnutrition in elderly people.

Malnutrition in Community-Dwelling Elderly in Turkey: A Multicenter, Cross-Sectional Study.

BackgroundThis study aimed to investigate the prevalence of malnutrition and explore the somatic, psychological, functional, and social or lifestyle characteristics linked to malnutrition in elderly people at a hospital in Turkey.Material/MethodsThis study included 1030 patients older than 65 years of age who were seen at the internal medicine and geriatrics outpatient clinics of the study centers in Istanbul, Ankara, Duzce, Corum, Mardin, Malatya, and Diyarbakir provinces between January and December 2014. All patients underwent Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) tests via one-on-one interview method. The demographic properties of the patients were also recorded during this interview.ResultsAmong 1030 patients included in this study, 196 (19%) had malnutrition and 300 (29.1%) had malnutrition risk. The malnutrition group and the other groups were significantly different with respect to mean GDS score, income status, educational status, the number of children, functional status (ADL, IADL), the number of patients with depression, and the number of comorbid disorders. According to the results of the logistic regression analysis, age (OR=95% CI: 1.007–1.056; p=0.012), BMI (OR=95% CI: 0.702–0.796; p<0.001), educational status (OR=95% CI: 0.359–0.897; p=0.015), comorbidity (OR=95% CI: 2.296–5.448; p<0.001), and depression score (OR=95% CI: 1.104–3.051; p=0.02) were independently associated with malnutrition.ConclusionsOur study demonstrates that age, depression, BMI, comorbidity, and the educational status were independently associated with malnutrition in an elderly population.

Factors associated with poor nutritional status among community dwelling Lebanese elderly subjects living in rural areas: results of the AMEL study.

This study aimed to assess the nutritional status, measured by MNA, and its association with socio-demographic indicators and health related characteristics of a representative sample of community dwelling elderly subjects. Cross-sectional study. Community dwelling elderly individuals living in rural communities in Lebanon. 1200 elderly individuals aged 65 years or more. Socio-demographic indicators and health related characteristics were recorded during a standardized interview. Nutritional status was assessed through Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA). The 5-item GDS score and the WHO-5-A score were used to assess mood, whereas Mini Mental Status (MMS) was applied to evaluate cognitive status. The prevalence of malnutrition and risk of malnutrition was 8.0% respective 29.1% of the study sample. Malnutrition was significantly more frequent in elderly subjects aged more than 85 years, in females, widowed and illiterate people. Moreover, participants who reported lower financial status were more often malnourished or at risk of malnutrition. Regarding health status, poor nutritional status was more common among those reporting more than three chronic diseases, taking more than three drugs daily, suffering from chronic pain and those who had worse oral health status. Also, depressive disorders and cognitive dysfunction were significantly related to malnutrition. After multivariate analysis following variables remained independently associated to malnutrition: living in the governorate of Nabatieh (ORa 2.30, 95% CI 1.35 -3.93), reporting higher income (ORa 0.77, 95% CI 0.61-0.97), higher number of comorbidities (ORa 1.22, 95% CI 1.12-1.32), chronic pain (ORa 1.72, 95% CI 1.24-2.39), and depressive disorders (ORa 1.66, 95% CI 1.47-1.88). On the other hand, better cognitive functioning was strongly associated with decreased nutritional risk (ORa 0.27, 95%CI 0.17-0.43). Our results highlighted the close relationship between health status and malnutrition. The identification of potential predictive factors may allow better prevention and management of malnutrition in elderly people.

Malnutrition in an Elderly Population without Cognitive Impairment Living in Nursing Homes in Spain: Study of Prevalence Using the Mini Nutritional Assessment Test

Background: The prevalence of malnutrition in institutionalized elderly people is generally high. A good nutritional status is related to a decrease in mortality and costs of morbidity treatments. Therefore, it is essential to know the nutritional status in order to establish action policies. However, there are not enough studies about malnutrition in institutionalized elderly in Spain. Objectives: The objectives of this survey were to assess the prevalence of malnutrition and risk of malnutrition in elderly people living in nursing homes in the province of Albacete (Spain) using the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA®) test, to analyze their distribution according to age, gender and different nursing home features, and to identify the MNA items that best predict the MNA total score. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with data collected from 895 elders living in 34 nursing homes all over the province of Albacete, including facilities located in the main city, towns and villages. Prevalence of malnutrition and risk of malnutrition were assessed using the MNA full form test. Groups of malnutrition were compared by using mean MNA scores. Stepwise linear regression analyses were used to identify the items in the MNA which best predicted the MNA total scores. Results: According to the MNA, the prevalence of malnutrition among elderly people staying in Albacete province nursing homes was 2.8%, and the prevalence of being at risk of malnutrition was 37.3%. MNA total score was significantly higher in men (24.3 ± 2.9) than in women (23.7 ± 3.3) and significantly higher in residents living in nursing homes located in towns and villages (24.2 ± 2.8) than in those who were living in institutions placed in the main city (23.7 ± 3.4). The MNA score was found to decrease with increasing age, except for individuals aged 90 years or older. Conclusions: The prevalence of malnutrition and risk of malnutrition was 40.1%. Female gender and living in institutions located in the main city were identified as malnutrition risk factors. In general, an increase in malnutrition with age was detected, except for people in the last years of their lives. The MNA questions that best predicted the nutritional status were the ones relating to the anthropometrical and self-assessments.

Meal planning in the elderly: nutritional and economic aspects

Malnutrition in elderly people is one of the major syndromes associated to greater prevalence of chronic diseases and increased morbidity, hospital staying, and mortality. On the other hand, malnutrition in the fourth world is associated to another important risk factor, which is the poor economic status. The aim of this study was to elaborate a balanced menu for the elderly adjusting its price to the mean expense that this population dedicates to its feeding needs. Taking into account the Household expense for 2010 of the National Institute of Statistics, we established that the average price for each menu ought to be less than 5.57 € per day. Two type menus were elaborated, both adapted to this population and to the Mediterranean diet. The economic assessment was 5.02 € and 5.06 €, respectively. Given the prevalence of malnutrition in this population, it is essential being able to appropriately plan their feeding needs, at both the nutritional and economic levels.

The study of malnutrition in elderly people of Kurdistan in 2011

Population aging is increasing in nutritional status plays an important role in health and disease, older people and is considered the most important factor. Elderly disability due to the inability to chew disease, drugs and social isolation and loss of income and physical activity in are receiving inadequate dietary exposure study to evaluate the status of malnutrition in elderly Province cholera research priorities according to the Ministry of Health Food, which was announced to all universities were 1010 elderly in this study based on random cluster sampling in the province (Urban and rural) were selected and their nutritional status questionnaire for the elderly Iranian MNA standardized assessment was to assess the relationship between nutritional status and demographic factors parametric Kolmogorov Smirnov tests were used. Results 57 / 7% of the subjects in the city and 42 / 5% lived in rural areas in terms of gender and 45 / 4% male and 54 / 6% female. BMI equal to 21% of the people and less than 22 and 79% have a BMI over 22 have. between gender and BMI, there was a significant relationship so that73 /3% of women and 65/3% of men in the group were overweight .28/6% of older people with malnutrition and 51/9% were at risk of malnutrition among places of life, psychological problems, malnutrition, drugs exact a significant relationship existed. Conclusion This study seems to take care intervention programs extensively by the health authorities and policymakers to prevent malnutrition in all age groups, especially the elderly appears necessary. Keywords: Elderly - Malnutrition - BMI

Effect of oral health dental state and risk of malnutrition in elderly people

To determine the risk of malnutrition in both institutionalized and non-institutionalized elderly people of the region of Murcia in Spain. A cross-sectional study was carried out on 465 participants (213 men and 252 women) aged 65 years or older, and representative of the population of the region of Murcia in Spain. The nutritional condition was determined with the Mini Nutritional Assessment screening tool. The following clinical oral health variables were recorded: number of teeth in the mouth, use of removable dentures and hygiene. The prevalence of malnutrition was 7% in the study population, whereas the risk of malnutrition was 49%. A greater prevalence was recorded in the older and in the institutionalized participants. There were no significant differences in terms of malnutrition or the risk of malnutrition between the participants with or without dentures or between the dentate or edentulous participants. Age and institutionalization are parameters to be taken into account for detecting the risk of malnutrition in elderly people.

Frequency of Malnutrition in Older Adults: A Multinational Perspective Using the Mini Nutritional Assessment

To provide pooled data on the prevalence of malnutrition in elderly people as evaluated using the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA). Retrospective pooled analysis of previously published datasets. Hospital, rehabilitation, nursing home, community. Four thousand five hundred seven people (75.2% female) with a mean age of 82.3. The prevalence of malnutrition in the combined database and in the four settings was examined. Twenty-four data sets with information on full MNA classification from researchers from 12 countries were submitted. In the combined database, the prevalence of malnutrition was 22.8%, with considerable differences between the settings (rehabilitation, 50.5%; hospital, 38.7%; nursing home, 13.8%; community, 5.8%). In the combined database, the "at risk" group had a prevalence of 46.2%. Consequently, approximately two-thirds of study participants were at nutritional risk or malnourished. The MNA has gained worldwide acceptance and shows a high prevalence of malnutrition in different settings, except for the community. Because of its specific geriatric focus, the MNA should be recommended as the basis for nutritional evaluation in older people.

Use of the mini nutritional assessment tool in elderly people from long-term institutions of southeast of Brazil.

the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) is a multidimensional method of nutritional evaluation that allows the diagnosis of malnutrition and risk of malnutrition in elderly people, it is important to mention that this method has not been well studied in Brazil. to verify the use of the MNA in elderly people that has been living in long term institutions for elderly people. transversal study. 89 people (>/= 60 years), being 64.0% men. The average of age for both genders was 73.7 +/- 9.1 years old, being 72.8 +/- 8.9 years old for men, and 75.3 +/- 9.3 years old for women. long-term institutions for elderly people located in the Southeast of Brazil. it was calculated the sensibility, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values. It was data to set up a ROC curve to verify the accuracy of the MNA. The variable used as a "standard" for the nutritional diagnosis of the elderly people was the corrected arm muscle area because it is able to provide information or an estimative of the muscle reserve of a person being considered a good indicator of malnutrition in elderly people. the sensibility was 84.0%, the specificity was 36.0%, the positive predictive value was 77.0%, and the negative predictive value was 47.0%; the area of the ROC curve was 0.71 (71.0%). the MNA method has showed accuracy, and sensibility when dealing with the diagnosis of malnutrition and risk of malnutrition in institutionalized elderly groups of the Southeastern region of Brazil, however, it presented a low specificity.