Eight studies were evaluated regarding nutritional status and increasing age. Studies reported evidence or risk of malnutrition, declining nutritional status and adverse health effects in elderly subjects; these were associated with female gender, cognitive decline, loss of appetite, swallowing problems, low activity level, eating dependency, recent hospitalization and admission to healthcare communities.    

• Grade I means there is Good/Strong evidence supporting the statement;
• Grade II is Fair;
• Grade III is Limited/Weak;
• Grade IV is Expert Opinion Only;
• Grade V is Not Assignable.
• High (A) means we are very confident that the true effect lies close to that of the estimate of the effect;
• Moderate (B) means we are moderately confident in the effect estimate;
• Low (C) means our confidence in the effect estimate is limited;
• Very Low (D) means we have very little confidence in the effect estimate.
• Ungraded means a grade is not assignable.