Abstract

Malnutrition is a common health problem in people older than 65 years. In older individuals, malnutrition is asso-ciated with poor clinical outcomes and even death. These individuals particularly are characterized by inadequate nutritional intake due to various factors such as medical disease, physical impairment, age-related physiological changes, and psychological and psychosocial issues. Furthermore, as the immune system ages, its function is compromised, and the aged person becomes more vul-nerable to harm and disease. Nutrition plays an important role in maintaining the vigor of the immune system, be-cause nutritional deficits and malnutrition can aggravate a diseased condition because of the weakened immune system. It is important to assess older individuals for mal-nutrition, particularly when weight loss or anorexia is observed. Nutritional status in older individuals is gen-erally assessed with the revised mini-nutritional asse-ssment short form, the malnutrition universal screening tool, and the nutritional risk screening 2002. A structured approach is essential for the management of unintended weight loss or malnutrition in older individuals. Studies have shown that oral nutritional supplementation, a well- established approach, can improve nutritional status and quality of life in older individuals. Pharmacological treat-ments, such as administration of megestrol acetate, dro-nabinol, testosterone, oxandrolone, and rh-growth hor-mone, require further investigation to assess whether they are fit for clinical application. (JKSPEN 2013;5(2):42-49)

• Keywords: Elder nutritional physiological phenomena, Malnutrition, Immunity, Nutrition assessment, Nutritional support