Unintended Weight Loss in Older Adults

UWL: Nutritional Status (2009)

• Assessment
  Is there a relationship between nutritional status and increasing age?

  • Conclusion

    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
    • 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.
  • Evidence Summary: What is the evidence to support a relationship between nutritional status and increasing age?
    • Detail
    • Quality Rating Summary
      For a summary of the Quality Rating results, click here.
    • Worksheets
      • Bedard M, Molloy DW, Bell R, Lever JA. Determinants and detection of low body mass index in community-dwelling adults with Alzheimer's disease. International Psychogeriatrics. 2000; 12(1): 87-98.
      • Bedard M, Molloy DW, Bell R, Lever JA. Determinants and detection of low body mass index in community-dwelling adults with Alzheimer's disease. International Psychogeriatrics. 2000; 12(1): 87-98.
      • Bowman JJ, Keller HH. Assessing nutritional risk of long-term care residents. Can J Diet Prac Res. 2005; 66: 155-161. 
      • Bowman JJ, Keller HH. Assessing nutritional risk of long-term care residents. Can J Diet Prac Res. 2005; 66: 155-161. 
      • Laporte M, Villalon L, Payette H. Simple nutrition screening tools for healthcare facilities: Development and validity assessment. Can J Diet Pract Res. 2001 Spring; 62(1): 26-34.
      • Laporte M, Villalon L, Payette H. Simple nutrition screening tools for healthcare facilities: Development and validity assessment. Can J Diet Pract Res. 2001 Spring; 62(1): 26-34.
      • Laporte M, Villalon L, Thibodeau J, Payette H. Validity and reliability of simple nutrition screening tools adapted to the elderly population in healthcare facilities. J Nutr Health Aging. 2001; 5 (4): 292-294.
      • Laporte M, Villalon L, Thibodeau J, Payette H. Validity and reliability of simple nutrition screening tools adapted to the elderly population in healthcare facilities. J Nutr Health Aging. 2001; 5 (4): 292-294.
      • Lou MF, Dai YT, Huang GS, Yu PJ. Nutritional status and health outcomes for older people with dementia living in institutions. J Adv Nurs. 2007; 60(5): 470-477.
      • Lou MF, Dai YT, Huang GS, Yu PJ. Nutritional status and health outcomes for older people with dementia living in institutions. J Adv Nurs. 2007; 60(5): 470-477.
      • Margetts BM, Thompson RL, Elia M, Jackson AA. Prevalence of risk of undernutiriton is associated with poor health status in older people in the UK. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2003; 57: 69-74.
      • Margetts BM, Thompson RL, Elia M, Jackson AA. Prevalence of risk of undernutiriton is associated with poor health status in older people in the UK. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2003; 57: 69-74.
      • Nakamura H, Fukushima H, Miwa Y, Shiraki M, Gomi I, Saito M, Mawatari K, Kobayashi H, Kato M, Moriwaki H. A longitudinal study on the nutritional state of elderly women at a nursing home in Japan. Intern Med. 2006; 45(20): 1,113-1,120.
      • Nakamura H, Fukushima H, Miwa Y, Shiraki M, Gomi I, Saito M, Mawatari K, Kobayashi H, Kato M, Moriwaki H. A longitudinal study on the nutritional state of elderly women at a nursing home in Japan. Intern Med. 2006; 45(20): 1,113-1,120.
      • Zuliani G, Romagnoni F, Soattin L, Leoci V, Volpato S, Fellin R. Predictors of two-year mortality in older nursing home residents. The IRA study. Aging Clin Exp Res. 2001; 13: 3-7.
      • Zuliani G, Romagnoni F, Soattin L, Leoci V, Volpato S, Fellin R. Predictors of two-year mortality in older nursing home residents. The IRA study. Aging Clin Exp Res. 2001; 13: 3-7.
  • Search Plan and Results: Nutrition Screening 2008