Malnutrition is a common problem among cancer patients, significantly impacting clinical outcomes and quality of life. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of malnutrition and its associated factors in geriatric cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

This prospective study included 471 patients aged 65 years and older, conducted at Ankara Etlik City Hospital between January and December 2023. Patients' demographic, clinical, and nutritional statuses were assessed using the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA). Nutritional status was classified as normal (MNA ≥ 24), at risk of malnutrition (MNA 17-23.5), and malnourished (MNA < 17). Depression and insomnia were evaluated using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) and the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), respectively. Factors associated with malnutrition were analyzed statistically.

Malnutrition was identified in 20.5% of the patients. Malnutrition was significantly associated with radiotherapy (p = 0.001), surgical history (p = 0.001), adjuvant therapy (p = 0.002), metastatic disease (p = 0.011), low BMI (p < 0.001), high depression scores (p < 0.001), moderate-to-severe insomnia (p < 0.001), and the presence of comorbidities (p = 0.022). However, no significant association was found between pain and malnutrition (p = 0.07).

This study highlights the multifactorial nature of malnutrition in geriatric cancer patients and emphasizes the importance of regular nutritional assessments using validated tools like MNA. Early detection and intervention can improve clinical outcomes and quality of life. However, the study has certain limitations, including being single-center, the use of self-reported measures, and the exclusion of palliative patients, which may affect the generalizability of the results.

This study aimed to longitudinally investigate the temporal relationship between tongue pressure and malnutrition in older adults with dysphagia and to determine the antecedent factors.

This is a retrospective cohort study.

In total, 177 participants aged ≥65 years with dysphagia who visited a specialized dysphagia rehabilitation clinic between 2014 and 2018 were enrolled.

Malnutrition was assessed based on the phenotypic criteria (unintentional weight loss, low body mass index, and reduced skeletal muscle mass) from the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition framework. Tongue pressure was measured using a tongue pressure measuring device. The bidirectional association between tongue pressure and malnutrition was examined, adjusting for age, sex, cognitive function, occlusal support status, and comorbidities.

In the Cross-Lagged Panel Model, a significant cross-lagged effect was observed from tongue pressure to malnutrition at 6 months (β = -0.135, p < 0.001) and 12 months (β = -0.112, p = 0.028). However, the pathway from malnutrition to tongue pressure was not significant. Logistic regression analysis also revealed that baseline tongue pressure was significantly associated with malnutrition at 6 months (odds ratio [OR] = 0.91, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.86-0.95) and 12 months (OR = 0.89, 95% CI: 0.84-0.94). During the follow-up period, tongue pressure improved; however, the prevalence of malnutrition increased.

Decreased tongue pressure may precede malnutrition in older adults with dysphagia; however, a reverse relationship was not observed. The findings suggest the importance of incorporating oral function assessment as part of the risk assessment for malnutrition.

The purpose of this article is to introduce the clinical nurse specialist to the Frailty Care Model. This model can be used by the clinical nurse specialist as a framework to guide nurses as they provide care to older adults predisposed to frailty progression while hospitalized.

The Frailty Care Model is used as a framework to plan the care of the hospitalized older adult. Examples of frailty screening tools are presented to inform the clinical nurse specialist of the older adult's needs for intervention while hospitalized, and a case study is used. Known targets for frailty interventions include low physical activity, malnutrition, and depression, and recommendations for each are given.

The clinical nurse specialist can use and support specific interventions to improve mobility and physical activity, address depression, and improve nutritional intake in hospitalized older adults.

The clinical nurse specialist is essential to the care of the hospitalized older adult who has frailty or is at risk for frailty. Frailty screening and an awareness of risks as well as modifiable factors can set the stage for supportive care that can help to prevent or stabilize frailty in the hospitalized older adult.

Objectives: This study aimed to establish reference values for bite force in individuals with various prosthetic restorations and to examine the relationship between prosthetic treatment groups (PTGs) and bite force as an indicator of masticatory muscle function. Materials and Methods: In a cross-sectional study from November 2021 to March 2023, 198 participants aged 18 to 95 years were recruited from multiple dental and geriatric centers. The participants were assigned to seven PTGs based on their dental and prosthetic statuses. Bite force was measured using the Occlusal Force Meter GM10, with three recordings on each side of the jaw, and analyzed using ANOVA. Results: The bite force decreased with fewer teeth and the transition from fixed to removable dentures. Fully dentate participants exhibited the highest bite forces, differing significantly from the other groups (p < 0.001). For the fully dentate individuals (547 ± 240 N), the bite force decreased progressively with the extent of prosthetic restoration, reaching 55 ± 45 N in edentulous individuals with complete dentures in both jaws. However, edentulous participants with two interforaminal implants demonstrated higher bite forces than those with partial dentures. Conclusions: Bite force is significantly impacted by prosthetic restoration type. Fully dentate individuals have the highest bite forces, while edentulous patients with implant-supported dentures also show considerable bite forces, similar to those with partial dentures.

This study aimed to investigate the associations between bed-rest time and food intake and between bed-rest time and constipation in older nursing home residents.

We conducted a cross-sectional study using data from the Long-term Care Information System for Evidence (LIFE) database. We used data collected from older nursing home residents registered in the LIFE database between April 2022 and March 2023. We compared outcome data between the short-bed-rest group (≥9 h out of bed per day) and the long-bed-rest group (<9 h out of bed per day). The outcomes were the percentage of food intake provided in the last 3 days, the percentage of energy sufficiency (the percentage of energy intake to energy requirements), and the incidence of constipation.

The short-bed-rest group consisted of 265 people (53.9%). The short-bed-rest group showed a significantly higher percentage of food intake (93.1 ± 12.3 vs. 85.2 ± 21.6), a higher percentage of energy sufficiency (104.8 ± 19.4 vs. 92.2 ± 26.2), and a lower incidence of constipation (6.0% vs. 18.5%) than the long bed-rest group. Multivariable analyses revealed that shorter bed-rest time was independently and significantly associated with the percentage of food intake (standardized coefficient: 0.28, P < 0.001), the percentage of energy sufficiency (standardized coefficient 0.30, p < 0.001), and incidence of constipation (odds ratio: 0.12, P < 0.001).

Bed-rest time is associated with food intake and constipation in older nursing home residents. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2025; 25: 583-587.

Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is an infectious condition characterizing the presence of bacterial infection in the peritoneal fluid with no apparent source of infection within the abdomen. It is extremely rare for patients with malnutrition after colorectal cancer (CRC) surgery to develop SBP. This is the first ever case reported case of SBP resulting from intestinal barrier compromise in a patient with colorectal cancer with malnutrition.

A 72-year-old woman with malnutrition was diagnosed with CRC, and following brief nutritional support, she underwent the laparoscopic-assisted radical right hemicolectomy. The patient was then diagnosed with peritonitis after the operation. An emergency laparotomy was performed, and the patient was finally diagnosed with SBP. The patient ultimately recovered following a series of appropriate postoperative supportive treatments.

This case highlights the poor outcomes of short preoperative nutritional therapy in CRC patients with malnutrition. Further studies should investigate the role of the intestinal barrier function in the recovery of patients with CRC after surgery.

Malnutrition and cognitive impairment are among the major contributors to frailty, that significantly increases the risk of mortality of older hospitalized patients. Multidimensional frailty assessment tools, such as the multidimensional prognostic index-MPI, a tool based on a standard comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA), have proven valuable for predicting adverse outcomes, including mortality of older adults following acute illness but its application in everyday clinical practice is limited. We hypothesized that removing parameters not closely associated with mortality and sorting the patient population according to the presence or not of cognitive impairment with possible integration of common laboratory markers, could provide a simplified approach that could improve practicability in all settings with at least comparable 1-year mortality predictive value.

A retrospective cohort study was conducted in patients consecutively admitted to the Geriatric Clinic of the Maggiore University Hospital in Trieste, Italy from January 1st 2018 to December 31st 2019. Their demographics, functional, clinical, laboratory parameters and 1-year mortality were recorded. In a development cohort of 1032 consecutive patients, best predictors of mortality were selected via systematic analysis and included in simplified prognostic models and algorithms and subsequently compared for prediction of 1-year mortality. The predictive relevance of the best algorithms was then validated, in comparison to MPI, in a separate cohort of 575 consecutive patients.

While all demographic and tested laboratory parameters as well as MPI domains correlated with 1-year mortality, exclusion from MPI calculation of Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire (SPSMQ), Exton Smith scale (ESS) and Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) significantly reduced MPI mortality predictivity, suggesting that not all MPI domains have the same weight. Further analysis showed that in the whole study cohort and in subgroups according to cognitive function, selected models including up to 3 parameters were superior to MPI in predicting 1-year mortality. In particular, models including MNA and albumin, or Exton Smith scale proved to better predict mortality in patients without or with severe cognitive impairment, respectively. A derived diagnostic algorithm applying different models according to cognitive status showed improved predictive value compared to MPI while requiring shorter estimated assessment time. Internal validation confirmed these results [HR: 4.37 (3.02-6.31) vs 3.16 (2.18-4.61), p < 0.0001].

In older acutely ill patients, a simplified multidimensional algorithm approach based on the assessment of cognitive function followed by nutritional status with the addition of plasma albumin or of functional status in patients without or with severe cognitive impairment respectively, may significantly improve 1-year mortality prediction while reducing assessment time. Moreover, these results highlight the prognostic value of MNA in association with albumin for 1-year mortality risk screening in the hospital setting and, for the first time, demonstrate its differential performance according to the presence or not of cognitive impairment.

The present study aim to systematically review the prevalence and influencing factors of oral frailty in older people.

A search strategy was developed and implemented to systematically review literature across PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, MEDLINE (via EBSCOhost), CINAHL, the Cochrane Library, Scopus, China Knowledge Resource Integrated Database (CNKI), Wanfang Data, Chinese Biomedical Database (CBM), and Weipu Database (VIP), in accordance with the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Our search encompassed studies published up to June 28, 2024, that investigated the prevalence or risk factors of oral frailty among older adults. Literature screening, data extraction, and quality assessment were independently performed by two researchers, followed by data analysis using Stata 17 software. This study has been registered with PROSPERO.

A total of 35 studies involving 202,864 participants were analyzed. The overall prevalence of oral frailty among older adults was 34.0% (95% CI: 27.9-40.1%, I 2 = 99.7%, p < 0.001). Subgroup analyses revealed statistically significant differences in the prevalence of oral frailty among different assessment tools and age groups (p < 0.05). Univariate meta-regression analysis indicated that the age was related to heterogeneity in the study (p < 0.05). Factors such as age, gender, physical frailty, pre-frailty, and unattached were identified as key risk factors for oral frailty in older adults (all p < 0.05).

The incidence of oral frailty among older adults is notably high and influenced by a variety of factors. Healthcare professionals are encouraged to actively implement preventive and treatment measures addressing the controllable factors associated with oral frailty. Such proactive efforts are essential for early identification of high-risk individuals, which can help reduce the prevalence of oral frailty among older adults and enhance their quality of life.

PROSPERO (CRD42023488653: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/).

The relationship between protein intake and the long-term prognosis of elderly patients with heart failure remains poorly understood. We investigated the association between predischarge protein intake and long-term prognosis in hospitalized elderly patients with heart failure.

A single-center, retrospective analysis of hospitalized patients aged ≥65 years with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction was conducted. Protein intake was evaluated by nutritionists based on visual measurements of the percentage of dietary intake obtained for 7 days before discharge by a nurse. A cutoff of 1.2 g/kg/day protein intake was used to compare the incidence of a composite endpoint, including all-cause mortality and heart failure rehospitalization within 1 year. Among the 100 patients (median age 79 years; 47% male), 56% had low protein intake (<1.2 g/kg/day). Patients with low protein intake had a significantly higher rate of composite endpoints than those with high protein intake (50% vs. 20%; log-rank test P=0.03). Multivariable Cox proportional hazards model revealed that low protein intake was independently associated with long-term prognosis with a hazard ratio of 2.73 and a 95% confidence interval of 1.10-6.80 (P=0.03).

Low protein intake in the predischarge phase was associated with long-term prognosis in hospitalized elderly patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction.

Older individuals are at risk of malnutrition resulting from chronic diseases-related body and muscle mass reduction. In turn, nutritional deficiencies may enhance catabolic processes, leading to accelerated aging and comorbidity, thus creating a vicious cycle. Our study aimed to assess the prevalence of malnutrition using the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) criteria and to determine the health correlates of malnutrition in a representative sample of community-dwelling older adults.

We used the GLIM criteria to diagnose malnutrition in 5,614 participants of the PolSenior2 study. The PolSenior2 study was a population-based survey designed to assess the medical, psychological, social, and economic characteristics of community-dwelling older adults.

Malnutrition was diagnosed in 13.4% of the participants using the GLIM criteria. Results of multiple logistic regression showed that the risk of depression [OR 4.18, p<0.001], peptic ulcer disease [OR 2.73, p<0.001], past stroke [OR 1.71, p<0.001], cognitive impairment [OR 1.34, p = 0.015], and chronic pain [OR 1.23, p = 0.046] were independent correlates of malnutrition.

Due to the high risk of malnutrition, special attention should be paid to individuals in late old age. Suspected malnutrition should also be considered in people at risk of depression, with peptic ulcer disease, past stroke, and cognitive impairment. Chronic pain should also prompt the diagnosis for malnutrition.

Evaluate the nutritional status in older adults in the community, to determine malnutrition, obesity and their risks and to identify determinants related to both clinical situations.

Cross-sectional study. SITE: 3 Primary care health centers in La Rioja in urban, semiurban and rural areas.

409 people ≥ 65 years old who came to receive consultation, with 3 abandonments.

Nutritional assessment by tools screening and anthropometric measurements.

The MNA SF® was used to determine the prevalence of malnutrition and the BMI for obesity. Sociodemographic, socioeconomic, health-disease variables, lifestyle habits, metabolic status, and anthropometric measurements were included. Binary logistic regression was performed to predict dichotomous dependent variables.

The prevalence of malnutrition and its risk (DR) were 18.7% and obesity and its risk were 66,5%. The multivariate model for malnutrition and DR includes polypharmacy, dyslipidemia, sedentary lifestyle, and having mental pathology (OR=3.09, 2.01, 2.12, 1.72, respectively). On the other hand, the probability of presenting obesity is associated with cardiovascular risk, age, excessive-moderate alcohol consumption, hypertension and low adherence to the Mediterranean diet (OR=2.73, 4.27, 2.03, 1.97, 1.81 respectively).

This results stand out that the study population has a poor nutritional status, detecting a risk of malnutrition, obesity and overweight. The identified predictors related to lifestyle habits, presence of diseases, psychosocial problems, metabolic alterations, etc. They can guide the selection of those people who would benefit from screening to detect and approach the risk of malnutrition early.

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented multifaceted challenges globally, impacting adolescent health. Among these, food security and nutrition are intertwined closely with mental health outcomes. In Indonesia, with its diverse socio-economic landscape, these interconnections may have been exacerbated by the pandemic. This study investigated the relationship between food security, nutrition and adolescent mental health in Indonesia during COVID-19. Longitudinal data were collected from 511 adolescent boys and girls in 2021-2022 in Gunungkidul district, Yogyakarta. Food security was measured using the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS), and the validated Kessler-10 Psychological Distress Scale (K10) was used to measure adolescent depression. Multivariate linear regression and linear mixed-effects regression were employed to explore associations between these variables, while adjusting for sex, age, pubertal status and household income. Overall, food insecurity score was positively associated with depressive symptoms (β: 0·72, 95 % CI 0·52, 0·92), while BMI z-score was inversely associated (β: -0·31, 95 % CI 0·68, -0·03). We found an increase in strength of association between food insecurity and depressive symptoms over time (moderately food-insecure: β: 1·36 (95 % CI -0·10, 2·83) to 4·63 (95 % CI 2·17, 7·09); severely food-insecure: β: 1·89 (95 % CI 0·36, 3·41) to 3·30 (95 % CI 1·50, 5·10). Enhancing food access, improving nutritional status and providing mental health support are crucial components of adolescent health.

Poor oral health can influence an individual's dietary intake, which may result in malnutrition. Both problems in oral health and function and malnutrition are common in older people. The aim of the present study was to explore the associations between oral health and oral function and malnutrition in community-dwelling older people within three different databases.

Data analyses were performed on three existing Dutch databases (Interrai: n = 3876, LPZ: n = 966, PRIMa mouth CARE: n = 975). Logistic regressions (adjusted for age and gender) tested the relation between oral health and oral function (independent variable) and malnutrition (dependent variable).

Problems in oral health and oral function such as broken teeth (OR: 1.43 [95%CI: 1.12-1.81]), oral pain and discomfort (OR: 2.58 [95%CI: 1.52-4.39]), chewing difficulties (OR: 1.99 [95%CI: 1.54-2.57]), swallowing problems (OR: 6.63 [95%CI: 2.85-15.42]), coughing (OR: 6.05 [95%CI: 2.08-17.61]) and food adaptations (OR: 5.46 [95%CI: 2.60-11.4]) were found to be significantly associated with malnutrition in older people.

This study demonstrated a significant link between oral health problems and oral function with malnutrition in community-dwelling older people. Oral health care and healthcare professionals need to consider oral health and oral function in relation to nutritional status and vice versa in community-dwelling older people.

The British Nutrition Foundation convened a roundtable event in January 2024 entitled 'Meat and the Future of Sustainable Diets: Turning Challenges into Opportunities', bringing together multi-sector stakeholders to discuss the social, nutritional, public health and environmental aspects of meat consumption within a sustainable food system. Participants explored the challenge of the complexity of balancing nutrition and planetary goals, emphasising the need to navigate trade-offs between various dimensions of sustainability. Whilst recognising the global nature of the issue, the roundtable primarily focussed on a UK perspective. The discussion highlighted the urgency of transforming the food system to achieve net zero, whilst ensuring broader environmental benefits, nutritional adequacy and dietary and health equity across all life stages. Concerns about poor dietary patterns, particularly among vulnerable groups were raised, with participants stressing the need for policies that promote healthy, sustainable and equitable diets without worsening inequalities. These policies should also enhance livelihoods and community wellbeing, foster resilience and support local economies. On the supply side, participants called for better data within the agri-food system, particularly at the farm level. They advocated for a multidimensional, holistic approach that goes beyond greenhouse gas emissions to encompass wider environmental impacts and whole-farm benefits, such as enhancing soil health, promoting biodiversity, improving water management, supporting nutrient cycling and boosting farm-level resilience through diversified cropping systems. Roundtable participants acknowledged existing recommendations to reduce meat consumption for both environmental reasons, such as land use and greenhouse gas emissions, and health concerns, as evidence links red, particularly processed, meat consumption with increased colorectal cancer risk. Given the variation in meat consumption globally and even locally between individuals, the discussion explored the potential of targeted campaigns to reduce high meat intake, along with the role of public food procurement and the food industry in decreasing processed meat consumption. The consensus was that dietary changes must be framed within the context of a balanced diet and broader sustainability concerns. Despite some differing viewpoints on implementation, participants agreed that transitioning to healthier, more sustainable diets is a priority. Collaboration across the entire food chain, from farm to fork, with investment in innovation, robust data collection and research, alongside policy support, was emphasised as essential to achieving this goal.

Malnutrition is a very common condition among older people and strongly affects their quality of life. The current literature relates the presence of nutritional deficiencies to several health-related factors that usually emerge at advanced stages of life. This study aimed to assess the associations between malnutrition and its determinants in a group of institutionalized older people via the Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form (MNA-SF) and the full MNA.

The MNA-SF was compared with the full MNA to evaluate the nutritional status of 207 older people. A multinomial logistic regression analysis was performed.

The data revealed that institutionalized older people with cognitive impairment, frailty syndrome, dysphagia, a low BMI, a high duration of institutionalization, and a low educational level are more likely to be malnourished or at risk of malnutrition.

The results reveal that the MNA or MNA-SF may not identify common determinants of malnutrition or nutritional risk. The identified determinants depend on the test. Therefore, the data obtained determine the need to use adequate nutritional screening tools to control the presence of malnutrition. Nutritional screening is essential to decrease public costs, hospitalizations, rates of disability, dependence, morbidity, and even mortality among institutionalized older people.

Older adults often experience adverse health outcomes including malnutrition following discharge from emergency departments (ED). Discharge to community care is a transitionary time where nutritional vulnerability could be mitigated with the instigation of targeted nutrition care pathways in ED settings.

This scoping review aimed to establish and describe the level of nutrition care provided to older adults admitted and subsequently discharged from EDs.

Systematic searches of nine academic and grey literature databases (Medline (Ovid), Pubmed, CINAHL Complete (EBSCOhost), EMBASE, Cochrane Library and Scopus), grey literature sources (DART-Europe E-theses portal, Open Grey, and Trip Medical database) and four websites (Google, Google Scholar, NICE and LENUS) for relevant professional and organisational publications of research, policy, practice, and guidelines between January 2011 to 2023 were completed. Eligible studies included a population of older adults (≥ 65 years) with an ED attendance and subsequent community discharge, and where nutrition screening had identified malnutrition. Data were extracted on the level of nutrition and dietetic care initiated for older adults in the ED according to the Nutrition Care Process Model and summarised descriptively.

Overall, 22 studies were included in the review. Nutrition status was screened on admission to the ED using validated tools: Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form (n = 13), Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (n = 2), Short Nutritional Assessment Questionnaire (n = 2), NRS-2002 (n = 1) and the Mini Nutritional Assessment - Full Form (n = 1). A full nutrition assessment was reported by 5 studies. Only one study referred to documentation of malnutrition in healthcare records. Subsequent nutrition intervention after discharge from the ED for older adults was not described in any study.

While there is evidence to support malnutrition screening is taking place in EDs, there is a lack of information about subsequent nutrition care including assessment and therapy interventions. This points to the need for comprehensive exploration of nutrition care pathways, practice, policy, and research to inform models of integrated care for older persons.

Malnutrition negatively affects the prognosis and quality of life of hospitalized patients. However, there are several gaps between evidence-based knowledge and current clinical practice. Our primary aim was to describe the prevalence of malnutrition risk in a cohort of in a cohort of older inpatients; secondly, we explored its predictors and its independent impact on 12-month survival.

Prospective study focused on patients aged 65 years and older consecutively admitted for any reason to the acute geriatric and general medical units of an Italian university hospital. Comprehensive geriatric assessment data, including the short form of the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA-SF), were collected within 48 hours of admission. The prevalence of malnutrition and risk of malnutrition according to the MNA-SF represented the main outcome. Correlations among clinical variables, nutritional status, and one-year survival were analyzed using multivariable and Cox models.

Among 594 patients (median age: 84 years, 49.5 % female), mostly living at home with moderate functional autonomy, 82.3 % were identified as probably malnourished or at risk of malnutrition according to MNA-SF (39.9 % and 42.4 %, respectively). Malnutrition and the risk of malnutrition were positively associated with living alone at home (OR 2.803, 95%CI 1.567-5.177, p < 0.001), and negatively associated with autonomy in IADL (OR 0.765, 95%CI 0.688-0.846, p < 0.001) and the best performance at HST (OR 0.901, 95%CI 0.865-0.936; p < 0.001). After 12 months, 31.8 % of patients was dead and mortality was positively correlated with malnutrition according to MNA-SF (OR 2.493, 95%CI 1.345-4.751, p = 0.004), institutionalization (OR 2.815, 95%CI 1.423-5.693, p = 0.003) and severe cognitive impairment (OR 1.701, 95%CI 1.031-2.803, p = 0.036).

Malnutrition is common among older inpatients upon admission, primarily influenced by their functional and cognitive status, and it is linked to a worse prognosis. Early incorporation of thorough nutritional and functional assessments into clinical practice is crucial to improve prognosis prediction and enable timely, focused interventions targeting modifiable causal factors in a patient-centered approach.

(1) Background: Mental health issues in older adults, particularly cognitive impairment and depression, can affect nutritional status. This study investigates the prevalence of malnutrition among community-dwelling older adults at risk of social exclusion and dependency in Lebanon and its association with cognitive impairment and depression. (2) Methods: This cross-sectional study used secondary data from the TEC-MED project, involving 1410 older adults aged 60 and above in Beirut. Nutritional status was assessed with the Mini Nutritional Assessment _Short Form (MNA_SF), cognitive impairment with the AD8 Dementia Screening Interview, and depression with the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15). (3) Results: 87.2% of participants were at risk of malnutrition, and 2.5% were malnourished. Cognitive impairment was present in 82.2% of the sample and 45% experienced moderate to severe depression. Malnourished individuals had significantly higher rates of cognitive impairment (96.7% vs. 57.8%) and depression (85.7% vs. 23.2%). Significant associations were found between the risk of malnutrition, decreased food intake, cognitive impairment, and depression; however, no significant association was found with BMI. Logistic regression analysis indicated that older age, cognitive impairment, and depression were significant predictors of malnutrition, while having a caregiver was protective. (4) Conclusions: The high prevalence of risk of malnutrition among vulnerable older adults with cognitive impairment and depression underscores the need for policies integrating nutritional screening into routine health check-ups for older adults.

Little is known about the causes of second primary cancers among individuals with a history of cancer. Descriptive studies have suggested that lifestyle factors, including excess body weight, may be important.

To investigate whether excess body weight is associated with the risk of a second primary malignant neoplasm among cancer survivors.

This cohort study of adults in 21 states in the US used data from the Cancer Prevention Study II Nutrition cohort, a large prospective study that invited participants to respond to a survey in 1992 and biennial surveys starting in 1997, and who were followed-up through 2017. Eligible participants included those who received a diagnosis of a first primary nonmetastatic invasive cancer between 1992 and 2015. Data analysis occurred from September 2023 to March 2024.

Body mass index (BMI), computed from self-reported height and weight at the time of the first primary cancer diagnosis (mean [SD] years to diagnosis, 1.7 [1.5] years).

Main outcomes included a second primary cancer or an obesity-related second cancer. Cancer diagnoses were reported on biennial surveys and verified through medical record abstraction or linkage with state cancer registries.

This cohort included 26 894 participants who received a diagnosis of a first nonmetastatic primary cancer (mean [SD] age at first cancer diagnosis, 72.2 [6.5] years; 15 920 male [59.2%]). At the time of first diagnosis, 11 497 participants (42.8%) had overweight and 4684 (17.2%) had obesity. During a median (IQR) follow-up time of 7.9 (3.4-13.6) years, 3749 (13.9%) participants received a diagnosis of a second primary cancer, of which 1243 (33.2%) were obesity-related second primary cancers. Compared with cancer survivors whose BMI was in the normal range (18.5 to <25), there was 15% increased risk of any second primary cancer for those who had overweight (25 to <30; adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.15; 95% CI, 1.07-1.25) and a 34% increased risk for those who had obesity (BMI ≥30; aHR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.21-1.48), with greater risk for obesity-related second primary cancers, including a 40% increased risk for those with overweight (aHR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.22,-1.61) and a 78% increased risk for those with obesity (aHR, 1.78; 95% CI, 1.51-2.11).

In this cohort study of older survivors of nonmetastatic cancer, those who had overweight or obesity at the time of their first cancer diagnosis were at higher risk of developing a second cancer, especially an obesity-related second cancer. Given the high prevalence of overweight and obesity among cancer survivors, it is important to promote survivorship care guidelines recommending weight management and increase awareness of second cancers among physicians and cancer survivors.

Malnutrition is a prevalent, yet often underdiagnosed and undertreated, condition in older adults. It is characterized by weight loss and/or reduced muscle mass due to diminished caloric intake, inflammation, and/or disease burden. In return, malnutrition can lead to diminished skeletal muscle functionality and disability, among others. Malnutrition plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of two prevalent geriatric syndromes, namely sarcopenia and frailty. The complex interplay between malnutrition, sarcopenia, and frailty significantly impacts the older population, leading to increased morbidity, mortality, hospitalization rates, quality-of-life, and healthcare costs. Given the prognostic significance of malnutrition in geriatric care, recent guidelines emphasized the role of nutritional support in vulnerable populations. A group of vulnerable populations to malnutrition, sarcopenia, and frailty are older patients with hip fractures, cancer patients, and those with sarcopenic dysphagia. This article highlights the importance of individualized nutritional assessment and treatment in the management of vulnerable populations such as older patients with hip fractures, cancer, and those suffering from sarcopenic dysphagia. It presents practical protocols and guidelines that can be instrumental in enhancing the nutritional care of these groups, thereby improving their overall health outcomes.

An adequate magnesium intake might lower the risk of frailty through its role in muscle function.

We analysed data from 81 524 women aged ≥60 years participating in the Nurses' Health Study. Total magnesium intake was obtained from repeated food frequency questionnaires administered between 1984 and 2010 and self-reported information on supplementation. Frailty was defined as having at least three of the following five FRAIL scale criteria: fatigue, low strength, reduced aerobic capacity, having ≥5 chronic illnesses and weight loss ≥ 5%. The occurrence of frailty was assessed every 4 years from 1992 to 2018. Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for lifestyle factors, medication use and dietary factors were used to assess the association between magnesium intake and frailty.

During a median follow-up of 16 years, we identified 15 477 incident cases of frailty. Women with a higher intake of total energy-adjusted magnesium had a decreased risk of frailty after adjustment for lifestyle factors, medication use and dietary factors. The relative risk (95% confidence interval) for Quintile 5 (Q5) versus Quintile 1 (Q1) was 0.88 (0.82, 0.94) (P-trend < 0.001). When only energy-adjusted magnesium from the diet was considered, the inverse association was stronger (Q5 vs. Q1: 0.68 [0.56, 0.82]; P-trend < 0.001). Those reaching the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of magnesium through diet had a 14% (9%, 19%) lower risk of frailty compared with those not meeting the RDA.

Increased intake of foods rich in magnesium was associated with a decreased risk of frailty.

This study aimed to assess the prevalence of malnutrition and its determinants in older adults living in French Caribbean nursing homes.

This cross-sectional study was taken from the KASEHAD (Karukera Study of Ageing in EHPAD) study. Nutritional status was assessed with the Mini Nutritional Assessment Short-Form (MNA-SF). Clinical characteristics and scores on geriatric scales (Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Activities of Daily Living (ADL), Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression (CESD) and Questionnaire Quality of Life Alzheimer's Disease (QoL-AD)) were extracted. Bivariate analysis and logistic models adjusted were performed to test the association between nutritional status and both socio-demographic variables and geriatric scales.

A total of 332 older adults from six nursing homes were included in the KASEHPAD study. Among the participants, 319 had an MNA-SF score. The mean age was 81.3 ± 10.6 years, and half of the participants were men. The frequency of malnutrition (MNA-SF ≤ 7) was 27.6% (95% confidence interval (CI): 22.0-32.5) (n = 88). Based on the multivariable analysis, a low MMSE was associated with malnutrition (OR: 0.81 (0.68-0.92); p = 0.015) and there was a borderline significant link between a higher CESD score and malnutrition (OR: 1.05 (1.00-1.12); p = 0.07).

Cognitive decline and a tendency toward depression were associated with malnutrition in nursing homes in the French West Indies. Although this study cannot establish causal relationships, the identification of these three geriatric syndromes in nursing homes is crucial for preventing adverse health events.

Regular self-weighing is effective in weight management and may help to mitigate the risk of underweight among older adults. We examined which factors of oral function are associated with a risk for underweight among community-dwelling older adults and whether regular self-weighing can mitigate that risk.

This was a cohort study. Self-administered questionnaires were mailed to 7665 older adults in March 2019 (response rate 74.3%) and 7591 in March 2020 (response rate 74.7%). Among those who responded to both surveys, 3594 older adults who were not underweight in March 2019 were included (follow-up rate: 59.2%). We examined the association between dysphagia, poor masticatory function, and dry mouth and the development of underweight, and whether regular self-weighing reduced the risk for underweight.

The average age ± standard deviation of participants was 71.1 ± 3.4 years. There was a significant association between swallowing difficulty and the occurrence of underweight (odds ratio = 1.65, p = .012). However, this relationship did not differ significantly with regular self-weighing (p = .477).

These study findings suggest that to prevent underweight among community-dwelling older adults, it is important to focus on those with poor swallowing function.

To investigate the nutritional status of older adults in nursing homes in Chongqing, China, compare and analyse the differences in the physical condition, cognitive function and social-related factors of older adults with different nutritional statuses.

Malnurtition in the older people has become a priority concer, and the incidence and factors associated with malnutrition vary somewhat by healthcare setting. In Chongqing ,China, there is lack of research on malnutrition of the older people in nursing homes. Here, we investigated the incidence of malnutrition and analysed the associated factors.

A cross-sectional study.

From January to April 2023, a cross-sectional survey was conducted in three nursing homes in Chongqing, China. Participants completed a series of questionnaires, including the Demographic Information Questionnaire which included age, gender, education level, previous occupation, marital status and other information. The survey also included validated non-demographic instruments [Short-Form Mini-Nutritional Assessment (MNA-SF), Barthel Index (BI) and Mini-mental State Examination (MMSE)] to identify related impact factors. The Guidelines for cross-sectional studies were used in this study (Data S1).

209 older adults aged 60 and over participated in this study, of whom 121 were women and 88 were men. The average (SD) age of the participants was 84.7 (6.3) years. Of the participants, 46.4% were classified as well nourished. About 39.2% were at risk of malnutrition and 14.4% were malnourished. Compared to those who were well nourished, those who were malnourished or at risk of becoming malnourished were more likely to suffer from comorbidities, polypharmacy, a higher risk of falling, ADL dependence and to receive more nutritional interventions. However, there are no significant differences after adjustment for age, education level, previous occupation, marital status, length of stay, and type of health care payment.

Malnutrition is a common problem among older adults innursing homes in Chongqing, China. There are certain differences in physical conditions and nutritional interventions among older adults withdifferent nutritional status.

This study suggests that the problem of malnutrition is very prominent in nursing homes in Chongqing, China. Cognitive impairment, impaired activities of daily living, fall risk and nutritional intervention need to be prevalent in older adults with (risk of) malnutrition.

Foster families may represent an alternative model for dependent older adults in many countries where nursing homes are insufficiently developed. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of malnutrition and its determinants in older adults living in foster families in Guadeloupe (French West Indies).

This cross-sectional study was gathered from the KASAF (Karukera Study of Ageing in Foster families) study (n = 107, 41M/66F, Mdn 81.8 years). Nutritional status was assessed with the Mini Nutritional Assessment Short-Form (MNA-SF). Clinical characteristics and scores on geriatric scales (Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Activities of Daily Living (ADL), Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), Center for Epidemiologic Studies- Depression (CESD) and Questionnaire Quality of Life Alzheimer's Disease (QoL-AD)) were extracted. Bivariate analysis and logistic models adjusted for age and gender were performed to test the association of nutritional status with socio-demographic variables and geriatric scales.

Thirty (28.0%) older adults were malnourished (MNA-SF score ≤7). In bivariate analysis, malnutrition was associated with an increased prevalence of cardiovascular diseases (46.7% versus 19.5%, p = 0.004), the presence of hemiplegia (30.0% versus 6.5%, p = 0.003), a poorer cognitive status (MMSE score 4.7 ± 7.1versus 9.7 ± 10.7; p = 0.031), higher risk of depression (CESD score 27.3 ± 23.0 versus 13.5 ± 14.4; p = 0.035) and dependency (ADL score 1.9 ± 1.9 versus 2.3 ± 2.1; p<0.001). Malnutrition was also associated with lower caregivers'rating of QoL (QoL-AD score 21.8 ± 6.4 versus 26.0 ± 5.7; p = 0.001) but not by older adult's rating (24.1 ± 11.2 versus 28.3 ± 7.7; p = 0.156). Similar associations were observed in logistic models adjusted for age and gender.

Malnutrition was common among foster families for older adults. Special attention towards the prevention and treatment of malnutrition in older adults from cardiovascular diseases, cognitive impairment, dependency and depression is necessary in this model of dependency support.

To investigate the relationship between malnutrition and potential contributing factors such as poor oral health, dysphagia and mortality among older people in short-term care.

This cross-sectional study is a part of the multidisciplinary multicentre project SOFIA (Swallowing function, Oral health and Food Intake in old Age), which includes older people (≥65 years) in 36 short-term care units in five regions of Sweden. Nutritional status was measured with version II of the Minimal Eating Observation and Nutrition Form (MEONF-II), oral health with the Revised Oral Assessment Guide (ROAG), dysphagia with a water swallow test, and the mortality rate was followed for 1 year. Data were analysed using descriptive analysis and logistic regression models to calculate odds ratios for the association between malnutrition and these factors.

Among the 391 participants, the median age was 84 years and 53.3% were women. Mortality rate was 25.1% within 1 year in the total group, and was higher among malnourished participants than among their well-nourished counterparts. Severe dysphagia (OR: 6.51, 95% CI: 2.40-17.68), poor oral health (OR: 5.73, 95% CI: 2.33-14.09) and female gender (OR: 2.2, 95% CI: 1.24-3.93) were independently associated with malnutrition.

Mortality rate was higher among malnourished people than those who were well nourished. Severe dysphagia, poor oral health and female gender was predictors of malnutrition among older people in short-term care. These health risks should be given more attention in short-term care with early identification.

Emerging evidence points to a two-way relationship between periodontitis and dietary choices and, thus, nutrition. This study aimed to assess the potential cause-effect relationship between the periodontitis stage, loss of functional tooth units (FTUs), masticatory function, and intake of different food groups using path analysis.

A single calibrated examiner determined the periodontitis stage of a consecutive sample of 241 Chinese subjects reporting for tooth replacement. Their masticatory function was quantified by the mixing ability of a two-colour chewing gum. Validated food frequency questionnaires were used to calculate the intake of 33 food group items by an experienced calibrated rater. After verification of assumptions, visual structural equation modeling was performed with Amos 23. The consistency of results and the potential modifying effect of age were assessed in 9043 subjects from the NHANES database.

Highly significant models were constructed using periodontitis stage and age as exogenous factors. Periodontitis stage diagnosis significantly affected the number of posterior FTUs and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL, path coefficient [PC] = -0.55 and -0.20, p < .05, respectively). In the model, FTUs also had an independent effect on OHRQoL (PC = 0.23, p < .05). FTUs determined the level of masticatory function (PC = -0.38, p < .05), which in turn affected vegetable intake but not fruit or meat intake (PC = -0.18, p < .0.5, PC = 0.06, NS and PC = 0.11, NS, respectively). The effect of age was significant for vegetable and meat intake and was also correlated with periodontitis stage diagnosis. Analysis of the NHANES database confirmed the negative impact of periodontitis on the number of occluding pairs and vegetable consumption for the 18-44, 45-60 and >60 age groups.

Periodontitis showed a potential cause-effect pathway affecting vegetable intake across cultures and age groups. The size of the effect is potentially of clinical and public health significance. Additional studies, including intervention trials, are required to test this potential mechanism linking oral health to nutrition.

Older men who live alone are more vulnerable to poor nutrition. However, little attention has been paid to malnutrition among this population. This study aimed to examine malnutrition and its associated factors among community-dwelling older men living alone.

This cross-sectional descriptive study used cohort data of community-dwelling older adults living alone in South Korea. A total of 230 older men aged 65 and over were included in this study. Nutritional status was assessed using the Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form. Multidimensional factors (sociodemographic, health-related, psychosocial, and lifestyle characteristics) were evaluated. Hierarchical logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify the malnutrition-related factors.

The prevalence of malnutrition was 32.2% in older men living alone. Low income (odds ratio [OR], 2.44; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01-5.90), polypharmacy (OR, 2.23; 95% CI, 1.16-4.28), suicidal ideation (OR, 2.13; 95% CI, 1.02-4.45), meal skipping (OR, 3.26; 95% CI, 1.60-6.64), and smoking (OR, 2.86; 95% CI, 1.43-5.73) were significantly associated with malnutrition.

Malnutrition is a severe health problem in older men living alone. This study highlights the importance of comprehensive and tailored interventions to mitigate malnutrition among older men living alone.

Dysphagia affects about 40% of patients admitted to acute geriatric wards, as it is closely associated with diseases that rise in prevalence with advancing age, such as stroke, Parkinson's disease, and dementia. Malnutrition is a highly associated predictive factor of dysphagia as well as one of the most common symptoms caused by dysphagia. Thus, the two conditions may exist simultaneously but also influence each other negatively and quickly cause functional decline especially in older adults. The purpose of this review was to determine whether institutions have established a protocol combining screenings for dysphagia and malnutrition on a global scale. If combined screening protocols have been implemented, the respective derived measures will be reported.

A scoping review was conducted. A systematic database search was carried out in January and February 2024. Studies were included that examined adult hospitalized patients who were systematically screened for dysphagia and malnutrition. The results were managed through the review software tool Covidence. The screening of titles and abstracts was handled independently by two reviewers; conflicts were discussed and resolved by consensus between three authors. This procedure was retained for full-text analysis and extraction. The extraction template was piloted and revised following feedback prior to extraction, which was carried out in February 2024.

A total of 2014 studies were found, 1075 of which were included for abstract screening, 80 for full text screening. In the end, 27 studies were extracted and reported following the reporting guideline PRISMA with the extension for Scoping Reviews.

Most of the studies considered the prevalence and association of dysphagia and malnutrition with varying outcomes such as nutritional status, pneumonia, oral nutrition, and swallowing function. Only two studies had implemented multi-professional nutrition teams.

Digital health tools can support behavior change and allow interventions to be scalable at a minimal cost. Keep-on-Keep-up Nutrition (KOKU-Nut) is a free, tablet-based app that focuses on increasing physical activity and improving the dietary intake of older adults based on UK guidelines. The intervention targets an important research area identified as a research priority reported by the James Lind Alliance priority setting partnership for malnutrition.

This study aims to assess the feasibility of using the digital health tool KOKU-Nut among community-dwelling older adults to inform a future randomized controlled trial. The secondary aims are to determine the acceptability, usability, preliminary effect sizes, and safety of the study and the intervention (KOKU-Nut).

This is a feasibility randomized controlled trial. We plan to recruit a total of 36 community-dwelling older adults using purposive sampling. Participants will be randomized 1:1 to either the intervention or the control group. The intervention group will be asked to engage with KOKU-Nut 3 times a week for 12 weeks. Participants in the control group will receive a leaflet promoting a healthy lifestyle. All study participants will complete questionnaires at baseline and the end of the 12 weeks. A sample of participants will be asked to participate in an optional interview. The study will collect a range of data including anthropometry (height and weight), dietary intake (3-day food diary), physical function (grip strength and 5-times sit-to-stand), perceived quality of life (EQ-5D), usability (System Usability Scale), and safety (adverse events).

Data collection commenced in March 2024, and the results will be ready for publication by January 2025. Feasibility will be determined on the basis of participants' self-reported engagement with the intervention, and recruitment and retention rates and will be summarized descriptively. We will also consider the amount of missing data and assess how outcomes are related to group assignment. Acceptability will be measured using the modified treatment evaluation inventory and one-to-one semistructured interviews. Transcripts from the interviews will be analyzed using NVivo (version 12; QSR International) software using framework analysis to understand any barriers to the recruitment process, the suitability of the assessment measures, and the acceptability of the intervention and study design.

The study aligns with guidelines developed by the Medical Research Council for developing a complex intervention by using qualitative and quantitative research to examine the barriers of the intervention and identify potential challenges around recruitment and retention. We anticipate that these results will inform the development of a future powered randomized controlled design trial to test the true effectiveness of KOKU-Nut.

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05943366; https://classic.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05943366.

PRR1-10.2196/50922.

Sn-2 palmitate is widely used in infant formula. However, little is known about its effects on metabolism and body composition in middle-aged and elderly adults. In a double-blinded, randomized controlled trial, we enrolled Chinese adults aged 45-75 years with self-reported constipation. Individuals were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to a 1,3-dioleoyl-2-palmitoyl-glycerol (OPO)-enriched oil (66% palmitic acid in the sn-2 position) or a control vegetable oil (24% palmitic acid in the sn-2 position) daily for 24 weeks. Skim milk powder was used as the carrier for both fats. Interviews and body composition were performed at baseline, week 4, week 12 and week 24. A fasting blood draw was taken except at week 4. This study was a secondary analysis and considered exploratory. A total of 111 adults (83 women and 28 men, mean age 64.2 ± 7.0 years) were enrolled, of whom 53 were assigned to the OPO group and 57 to the control group. During the intervention, blood glucose, triglyceride, the triglyceride-glucose index, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and remnant cholesterol remained stable, while high-density lipoprotein cholesterol decreased in both groups (p = 0.003). No differences in change were observed between the groups (all p > 0.05). From baseline to week 24, the level of visceral fat increased slightly (p = 0.017), while body weight, total body water, protein, soft lean mass, fat-free mass, skeletal muscle and skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) decreased in two groups (p < 0.01). At weeks 4, 12 and 24, the SMI decreased less in the OPO group than in the control group, with a trend towards significance (p = 0.090). A 24-week daily intake of sn-2-palmitate-enriched oil had no adverse impact on fasting blood glucose, lipids and body composition compared with the control vegetable oil in Chinese adults (funded by Chinese Nutrition Society National Nutrition Science Research Grant, National Key Research and Development Program of China and Wilmar (Shanghai) Biotechnology Research & Development Center Co., Ltd.; ChiCTR1900026480).

Malnutrition is a critical issue among older inpatients, yet limited large-scale research related to this issue has been conducted in China. This study aimed to examine the nutritional status and support of older inpatients in China, assess the associations between disease categories and malnutrition on admission, and explore effective nutritional intervention.

A total of 24,139 older participants from the China Nutrition Fundamental Data 2020 Project were included. Malnutrition was measured by the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition criteria. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) were calculated using logistic analysis.

The overall frequency of malnutrition on admission was 18.9%. Participants with infections were more likely to have malnutrition (aOR = 1.929, 95% CI 1.486-2.504). Risks that were also noted for malnutrition included neoplasms (aOR = 1.822, 95% CI 1.697-1.957), hemic and lymphatic diseases (aOR = 1.671, 95% CI 1.361-2.051), nervous system diseases (aOR = 1.222, 95% CI 1.126-1.326), respiratory diseases (aOR = 1.613, 95% CI 1.490-1.746), and digestive system diseases (aOR = 1.462, 95% CI 1.357-1.577). Further, 32.26% inpatients with malnutrition during hospitalization didn't receive nutritional support. Oral nutrition supplements, enteral tube feeding, and parenteral nutrition were associated with stable or improved nutritional status.

Older inpatients were at a high risk for malnutrition but did not receive adequate nutritional intervention. More resources and attention need to be devoted to the nutritional status of older inpatients and targeted nutritional support.

Older adults are vulnerable to malnutrition due to physical, psychological, and social factors. Malnutrition, a prevalent and modifiable issue in this population, is associated with an elevated risk of adverse clinical outcomes. The purpose of the study is to assess the nutritional status of older adult individuals admitted to a general hospital and examine its correlation with socio-health and demographic variables.

The study included 239 individuals aged 70 and above, employing a cross-sectional descriptive observational approach with a convenience sampling method. Sociodemographic information was gathered, and variables such as cognitive impairment, functional capacity, comorbidities, medication consumption, and nutritional status were evaluated. Statistical analysis involved descriptive calculations, bivariate analysis, and multivariate analysis, utilizing binary logistic regression.

Approximately half of the sample were at risk of malnutrition, with a more notable prevalence among women. Factors such as age (OR = 1.04), cognitive impairment (OR = 1.06), functional dependence (OR = 0.96), and comorbidities (OR = 1.08) were linked to an elevated risk of malnutrition. In our regression model, age, cognitive impairment, and drug consumption emerged as significant predictors of malnutrition risk.

Individuals aged 70 and above have a notably high prevalence of malnutrition risk, particularly among those experiencing functional dependence and cognitive impairment. In our sample, cognitive impairment in older adults, coupled with above-median drug consumption, emerges as the primary predictor for malnutrition risk.

To investigate the daily life experiences of sleep, mood, and pain in relation to appetite in community-dwelling older adults aged 75 years and older, stratified by sex.

Existing data from a daily experience study embedded in the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA) among the oldest-old (≥75 years).

LASA is an ongoing cohort study of a nationally representative sample of older adults aged ≥55 years from three culturally distinct regions in the Netherlands.

434 community-dwelling older adults aged ≥75 years.

Participants filled-out a one-week diary on daily experience of pain, mood, last night sleep (10-point Likert scale), and appetite (5-point Likert scale) on five measurement occasions between 2016 and 2021. (Hybrid) linear mixed models were used to investigate overall, within-subject and between-subject association between mood, sleep, and pain (independent variables) and appetite (dependent variable), while correcting between-subject associations for season, age, educational level, partner status, body mass index, alcohol consumption, physical activity level, smoking status, chronic diseases and use of nervous system medication, stratified by sex.

Averaged over all days, males reported a poor appetite on 12% of the days and females on 19% of the days. Statistically significant between-subject associations with a poorer appetite were found for lower mood (unstandardized b = 0.084 [95% CI 0.043-0.126] (males), (b = 0.126 [95% CI 0.082-0.170] (females)), poorer sleep (b = 0.045 [95% CI 0.007-0.083] (males), (b = 0.51 [95% CI 0.017-0.085] (females)) and more severe pain in males only (b = 0.026 [95% CI 0.002-0.051]). Except for pain, within-subject associations were somewhat weaker: mood: b = 0.038 [95% CI 0.016-0.060] (males), (b = 0.082 [95% CI 0.061-0.104] (females)); sleep: b = 0.029 [95% CI 0.008-0.050] (males), (b = 0.15 [95% CI 0.005-0.025] (females)); and pain (b = 0.032 [95% CI 0.004-0.059] (males)).

This study found that poor sleep, low mood (more strongly in females) and more severe pain (males only) are associated with poor appetite in older adults on a daily level both within and between persons. Sex differences in factors related to poor appetite should be considered in future research.

This review aims to deliver expert insights on the current advances and challenges in managing malnutrition in aged care settings, with a specific emphasis on the interaction between dysphagia and diet.

Several reviews identify the high prevalence of dysphagia in aged care facilities and highlight the correlation between dysphagia and malnutrition. Recent studies underscore the importance of nutrition and cancer screening and assessment, yet highlight the lack of consensus on the definitive tools to be used. There is a growth in employing innovative implementations for enhancing swallowing function and optimizing texture-modified foods.

Early identification and strategic interventions are vital for managing malnutrition and dysphagia in aged care facilities, as these conditions are widespread and lead to a higher risk of complications. Although nutritional strategies have shown potential in enhancing oral intake for residents requiring texture-modified foods, lack of investigation on functional outcomes and long-term impact have been highlighted, emphasizing the need for continued research and development of effective assessment tools and targeted interventions to optimize the care for this at-risk group.

This study aimed to explore dietitians' perceptions of their current practice for identifying and managing malnutrition/frailty in the community, to fill an evidence gap.

This mixed-methods study involved an online survey distributed to dietitians practising in Australia and New Zealand, and semi-structured interviews with a subset of survey participants. The 34-item survey and interviews explored dietitians' practices for identifying/managing malnutrition and frailty, focusing on the community setting. Survey data were analysed descriptively and some simple association tests were conducted using statistical software. Interview data were analysed thematically.

Of the 186 survey respondents, 18 also participated in an interview. Screening and assessment for malnutrition varied in the community and occurred rarely for frailty. Dietitians reported practising person-centred care by involving clients/carers/family in setting goals and selecting nutrition interventions. Key barriers to providing nutrition care to community-dwelling adults included a lack of awareness/understanding of nutrition by clients and other health professionals (leading to them not participating in or valuing nutrition care), lack of time and resources in the community, and client access to foods/supplements. Enablers included engaging family members/carers and coordinating with other health professionals in nutrition care planning.

Reported practices for identifying malnutrition and frailty vary in the community, suggesting guidance may be needed for health professionals in this setting. Dietitians reported using person-centred care with malnourished and frail clients but encountered barriers in community settings. Engaging family members/carers and multidisciplinary colleagues may help overcome some of these barriers.

Polypharmacy is the simultaneous use of multiple medicines, usually more than five. Polypharmacy is highly prevalent among older individuals and is associated with several adverse health outcomes, including frailty. The role of polypharmacy in nutritional status seems to be crucial: although a clear association between polypharmacy and malnutrition has been widely reported in older people, the magnitude of the effect of increased number of drugs in combination with their type on the risk for malnutrition remains to be largely explored. Therefore, this review aims to discuss the association between polypharmacy and malnutrition in older people and to provide suggestions for its management. Polypharmacy is prevalent among malnourished frail patients, and the relative contribution of comorbidities and polypharmacy to malnutrition is difficult to be determined. Several mechanisms by which commonly used medications have the potential to affect nutritional status have been identified and described. Deprescribing (i.e., a systematic process of identification and discontinuation of drugs or a reduction of drug regimens) could be an essential step for minimizing the effects of polypharmacy on malnutrition. In this regard, the literature suggests that in older patients taking several medications, the best method to solve this problem is the comprehensive geriatric assessment, based on a holistic approach, including drug review, to find potential unnecessary and inappropriate medications. Nutritional and deprescribing interventions must be tailored to patient needs and to the local context to overcome barriers when applied in different settings.

Poor oral health has been linked to an increased risk of mortality. People with good cooking skills may be able to cope with problems caused by oral dysfunction, such as restricted food choice. This study investigated whether cooking skills modified the association between oral health status and mortality. A 3-year follow-up was conducted among participants of the Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study, a population-based cohort study of Japanese adults aged 65-101 years. Oral health assessment comprised number of teeth and three oral functions (awareness of swallowing difficulty, decline in masticatory function, and dry mouth). Cooking skills were assessed using a valid scale adapted for Japanese participants. Mortality from 2016 to 2019 was analysed for 10,121 respondents. Cox regression models were used to estimate hazard ratios for mortality risk adjusting for potential confounders, including sociodemographic factors and health status. During the follow-up, there were 488 deaths (4.8% of all participants). Both fewer teeth and poor oral function were associated with a greater mortality risk. Cooking skills modified the association only for oral function. Stratification by cooking skill score showed that the hazard ratios for ≥2 oral difficulties (vs. none) was 2.06 (95% confidence interval: 1.43-2.96) among those with low cooking skills and 1.25 (95% confidence interval: 0.92-1.71) among those with high cooking skills after adjusting for potential confounders. Improving cooking skills may be key to mitigating health risks owing to poor oral functions.

Nutrition risk is a key component of frailty and screening, and treatment of nutrition risk is part of frailty management. This study identified the determinants of a 3-year decline in nutrition risk (measured by SCREEN-8) for older adults stratified by risk status at baseline.

Secondary data analysis of the comprehensive cohort sample of the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) (n = 5031) with complete data for covariates at baseline and 3-year follow-up. Using a conceptual model to define covariates, determinants of a change in nutrition risk score as measured by SCREEN-8 (lower score indicates greater risk) were identified for those not at risk at baseline and those at high risk at baseline using multivariable regression.

Models stratified by baseline nutrition risk were significant. Notable factors associated with a decrease in SCREEN-8 for those not at risk at baseline were mental health diagnoses (- 0.83; CI [- 1.44,  -0.22]), living alone at follow-up (- 1.98; CI [- 3.40,  -0.56]), and lack of dental care at both timepoints (- 0.91; CI [- 1.62,  -0.20]) and at follow-up only (- 1.32; CI [- 2.45,  -0.19]). For those at high nutrition risk at baseline, decline in activities of daily living (- 2.56; CI [- 4.36,  -0.77]) and low chair-rise scores (- 1.98; CI [- 3.33, - 0.63]) were associated with lower SCREEN-8 scores at follow-up.

Determinants of change in SCREEN-8 scores are different for those with no risk and those who are already at high risk, suggesting targeted approaches are needed for screening and treatment of nutrition risk in primary care.