UWL: Introduction (2009)
Guideline Title
Unintended Weight Loss (2009) in Older Adults Evidence-Based Nutrition Practice Guideline
Guideline Narrative Overview
The focus of this guideline is on medical nutrition therapy (MNT) for people 65 years and older with unintended weight loss (UWL).
The primary goals of MNT for older adults with unintended weight loss are to increase energy, protein and nutrient intakes, improve nutritional status and improve quality of life.
Guideline Development
- Caloric needs
- Diet liberalization
- Modified texture diets
- Medical food supplements
- Enteral nutrition
- Dining environment
- Eating assistance.
The recommendations are based on the work performed by the American Dietetic Association Unintended Weight Loss expert working group. The number of supporting documents for these topics is below:
- Recommendations: Nineteen (19)
- Conclusion Statements: Twenty-two (22)
- Evidence Summaries: Twenty-one (22)
- Article Worksheets: One hundred seventy-seven (177).
Application of the Guideline
This guideline will be accompanied by a set of companion documents (i.e., a toolkit) to assist the practitioner in applying the guideline. The toolkit will contain materials such as the Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) protocol, documentation forms, outcomes management tools, client education resources and case studies. The toolkit is currently under development and will undergo pilot-testing through the ADA's Dietetic Practice-Based Research Network prior to publication.
Revision
The literature search will be repeated for each guideline topic on an annual basis to identify new research that has been published since the previous search was completed. Based on the quantity and quality of new research, a determination will be made about whether the new information could change the published recommendation or rating.
When the analysis is completed, the expert workgroup will approve and re-grade the conclusion statements and recommendations. The guideline will undergo a complete revision every three to five years.
Medical Nutrition Therapy and Unintended Weight Loss
- MNT
- Caloric needs
- Diet liberalization
- Modified texture diets
- Medical food supplements
- Enteral nutrition
- Dining environment
- Eating assistance.
This guideline applies to older adults with UWL.
Other Guideline Overview Material
For more details on the guideline components, click an item below:
- Scope of Guideline
- Statement of Intent
- Guideline Methods
- Implementation of the Guideline
- Benefits and Harms of Implementing the Recommendations.
Contraindications
Clinical judgment is crucial in the application of these guidelines. Careful consideration should be given to the application of these guidelines for older adults with significant medical comorbidities.