• Assessment
    What is the evidence regarding assessment of dietary intake in older adults with unintended weight loss?
    • Conclusion

      Nine studies were evaluated regarding the assessment of dietary intake in older adults. Four studies reported decreased intake of energy and nutrients in older adults who are acutely/chronically ill and/or underweight. Two studies reported decreased intake of energy and nutrients in older adults with cognitive impairment. Two of three studies reported decreased intake of energy and nutrients in older adults with dysphagia.

    • Grade: I
      • 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.
    What is the evidence regarding particular methodologies for the assessment of dietary intake in older adults with unintended weight loss?
    • Conclusion

      Five studies were evaluated regarding particular methodologies for the assessment of dietary intake in older adults. Two studies support multiple days of assessment of dietary intake; three studies reported that quantitative methods are necessary to provide estimations of energy intake. Further research on methods of assessment of dietary intake in older adults is needed.

    • Grade: II
      • 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.
    What is the evidence regarding the use of particular instruments for nutrition assessment of older adults with unintended weight loss?
    • Conclusion

      20 studies were evaluated regarding the use of particular instruments for nutrition assessment of older adults with unintended weight loss. The Mini-Nutritional Assessment is the most widely studied instrument in this population. Several other nutrition assessment instruments have also been developed but not validated. Further validation research on these nutrition assessment instruments is needed.

    • Grade: I
      • 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.
    What is the evidence regarding the use of particular instruments for nutrition screening in older adults?
    • Conclusion

      20 studies were evaluated regarding the use of particular instruments for nutrition screening in older adults. The Mini-Nutritional Assessment, Mini-Nutritional Assessment Short Form and the Nutrition Screening Initiative instruments are the most widely studied and validated in this population. Several other nutrition screening instruments have also been developed but not validated. Further validation research on these nutrition screening instruments is needed.

    • Grade: I
      • 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.