Malnutrition in the elderly: a comparison of two nutrition screening methods

This study compared two methods of nutrition assessment available to indicate potential malnutrition in the senior population: the DETERMINE Checklist developed as part of the Nutrition Screening Initiative (NSI) and the semi-quantitative Willet Food Frequency instrument (SFFQ). A nutritional inadequacy score (NSC) was derived from the SFFQ. The NSC reflected vitamin, mineral and fiber intakes at levels two-thirds or less of the RDA for older adults, plus excessive cholesterol intake. NSI was not significantly related to BMI, but the NSC was. The NSC appears more likely to reveal long-term nutrition risk. Poorer NSC scores were more frequent in individuals with high BMIs