Is the MNA valid in different populations and across practice settings?
OBJECTIVE
The MNA is a successful screening tool in geriatric medicine, but this success is in Europe or countries with Western health care practice settings. The MNA is not directly applicable in many ethnic groups or countries or those with non-Western cultural and dietary habits or health care systems. There is an increased prevalence of type 2 diabetes, the metabolic syndrome and obesity among the elderly; however, the MNA does not include questions or measures related to these or other important health conditions affected by nutritional status. This paper addresses the relevance of anthropometry and the impact of different clinical practice settings on the MNA and discusses the development of the Chinese Nutritional Screen (CNS) in China.


CONCLUSIONS
If the MNA is to continue to be successful among groups of elderly around the world, then the MNA, CNS or similar instruments should be as country or culturally and ethnically specific as possible. The development of the CNS maintained the underlying assumptions and concept of the MNA but modified them for a country with diverse food and cultural habits and health care settings.
Chumlea
W C
WC
Department of Community Health, Lifespan Health Research Center, Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine, 3171 Research Blvd., Dayton, OH 45420, USA. cameron.chumlea@wright.edu
D000368:Aged; D000886:Anthropometry; D002681:China / Q000208:ethnology; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000592:standards*; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D009748:Nutrition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000208:ethnology; D009752:Nutritional Status; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards*