Nutrition screening and assessment of anthropometry and bioelectrical impedance in the frail elderly: a clinical appraisal of methodology in a clinical setting.
Nutrition screening is recommended to identify those at risk for malnutrition; nutrition assessment by anthropometry and impedance is widely used to indicate nutritional status but may be problematical in the frail elderly in nursing homes. Acceptability, availability, suitability and appropriate reference data influence clinical application of these measurements. In our study, nutrition screening and assessment methodology were evaluated in 46 nursing home residents, mean age 86.3 +/- 6.6 years, mean weight 66.1 +/- 12.9 kg, mean height 163.1 +/- 9.6 cm, and mean BMI 24.9 +/- 4.6 kg/m2. Significant correlations (P < 0.05) were found in all measures of body weight, BMI, body fatness and leanness. Interpretation of data by five different reference standards and cutoff points revealed wide variation in identification of malnutrition by anthropometry. Appropriate reference data for body lean and fatness are not yet available. Thus, population-specific methodology and reference standards are of crucial importance.
Davidson
Jeanette
J
College of Education and Health Sciences, Bradley University, Peoria, IL 61625, USA. jad@bradley.edu
Getz
Majorie
M
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000886:Anthropometry / Q000379:methods*; D001823:Body Composition / Q000502:physiology; D017097:Electric Impedance; D005260:Female; D016330:Frail Elderly / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000175:diagnosis; D008403:Mass Screening; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009735:Nursing Homes; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D009752:Nutritional Status / Q000502:physiology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012107:Research Design; D012307:Risk Factors