Open AccessUndernutrition in older adults
Author(s) -
John E. Morley
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
family practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.955
H-Index - 100
eISSN - 1460-2229
pISSN - 0263-2136
DOI - 10.1093/fampra/cmr054
Subject(s) - malnutrition , medicine , wasting , cachexia , anorexia , hypermetabolism , protein–energy malnutrition , malabsorption , sarcopenia , intensive care medicine , weight loss , gerontology , older people , wasting syndrome , pediatrics , obesity , cancer
Undernutrition in older persons usually presents as weight loss and is predominantly due to protein energy wasting. The presentation of undernutrition is often subtle in older persons and there is a need to utilize screening tools and increasing physician awareness. There are multiple treatable causes of undernutrition in older persons. The major causes are anorexia, cachexia, sarcopenia, dehydration, malabsorption and hypermetabolism. This article also provides an overview of the use of nutritional supplements and an approach to managing protein energy wasting.