Chinese expert consensus on prevention and intervention for the elderly with malnutrition (2022)

Malnutrition is a state of altered body composition and body cell mass due to inadequate intake or utilization of energy or nutrients, leading to physical and mental dysfunction and impaired clinical outcomes. As one of the most common geriatric syndromes, malnutrition in the elderly is a significant risk factor for poor clinical outcomes, causing a massive burden on medical resources and society. The risk factors for malnutrition in the elderly are diverse and include demographics, chronic diseases, and psychosocial factors. Presently, recommendations for the prevention and intervention of malnutrition in the elderly are not clear or consistent in China. This consensus is based on the latest global evidence and multiregional clinical experience in China, which aims to standardize the prevention and intervention of malnutrition in the elderly in China and improve the efficacy of clinical practice and the prognosis of elderly patients. Malnutrition is one of the most common geriatric syndromes. Malnutrition in the elderly is a significant risk factor for poor clinical outcomes, which causes a massive burden on medical resources and society. Presently, the recommendations for the prevention and intervention of malnutrition in the elderly have not been clear and consistent in China. This consensus is based on the latest evidence worldwide and multiregional clinical experience around China, aiming to standardize the prevention and intervention of malnutrition in the elderly in China and improve the efficacy of clinical practice and the prognosis of elderly patients.