Malnutrition is defined as a state resulting from lack of intake or uptake of nutrition that leads to altered body composition (decreased fat free mass) and body cell mass leading to diminished physical and mental function and impaired clinical outcome from disease. Despite poor nutritional status being associated with increased morbidity and mortality in a wide range of medical conditions, malnutrition is not well understood, and thus remains poorly defined. In older adults, the prevalence of malnutrition was estimated to be 23% in Europe, USA and South Africa.
Primary care clinicians have a very important role in identifying patients with malnutrition and those at actual or potential risk for the development of malnutrition or inadequate food intake. They can provide different interventions to help to improve outcomes in this patient population. This program will review the assessment and management of malnutrition in primary care.
This program has received an unrestricted educational grant or in-kind support from Abbott.