Malnutrition in Elderly

​

Undernutrition in elderly compared to younger adults, is both more common and have greater impact on several outcomes, including physical function, mobility and health care utilisation, including longer stay in hospital. Inadequate intake is common in this population, mainly for those who have underlying medical condition and frailty. Studies have suggested that following period of underfeeding, older adults experience less frequent hunger, and did not regain the total amount of weight they had lost, even when allowed to consume food freely, whilst the younger cohort will regain all of their lost weight. 

​

One of the major causes for elderly malnutrition is dysphagia, which presents in roughly between 7-10% of older adult population. It occurs in 50% of patients who had first ever stroke or with Parkinson's disease. Dementia such as Alzheimer's disease is one of other major factors. Furthermore, the age, increasing frailty, as well as the dental conditions of these population, would exacerbate the situation as well.

​

Malnutrition would lead to cachexia and sarcopenia if it is on-going. Sarcopenia is defined as the individual with malnutrition has lost significant muscle mass, which then leads to other complications such as falls, functional impairment, and increasing mortality. Sacropaenia is identified in 53-57% of men, and 43-60% of women in one study.

​

Other significant complication from malnutrition and sarcopenia would include: recurrent infection, impaired wound healing, developing wound in pressure areas such as heels, buttock and lower back.

​

Given the danger of malnutrition in older adult, it is important to intervene early, so the further complications could be avoided as much as possible.

​

​

​

​

Source:

1. Lindle RS, Metter EJ, Lynch NA, Fleg JL, Fozard JL, Tobin J, Roy TA, Hurley BF. "Age and gender comparison s of muscle strength in 654 women and men aged 20-93 yr. "Journal of Applied Physiology (1985). 1997:83(%):1581 .

2. Peterson SJ, Mozer M (February 2017). "Differentiating Sarcopenia and Cachexia Among Patients With Cancer". Nutrition in Clinical Practice. 32 (1): 30–39.2.

3. Ata AM, Kara M, Kaymak B, Özçakar L (October 2020). "Sarcopenia Is Not "Love": You Have to Look Where You Lost it!". American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation. 99 (10): e119–e120.