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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Boston, Massachusetts » Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #285221

Title: Consensus statement of the academy of nutrition and dietetics/american society for parenteral and enteral nutrition: Characteristics recommended for the identification and documentation of adult malnutrition (undernutrition)

Author
item WHITE, JANE - University Of Tennessee
item GUENTER, PEGGI - American Society For Parenteral And Enteral Nutrition
item JENSEN, GORDON - Pennsylvania State University
item MALONE, AINSLEY - American Society For Parenteral And Enteral Nutrition
item SCHOFIELD, MARSHA - American Society For Parenteral And Enteral Nutrition

Submitted to: Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/12/2012
Publication Date: 5/1/2012
Citation: White, J.V., Guenter, P., Jensen, G.L., Malone, A., Schofield, M. 2012. Consensus Statement of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics/American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition: Characteristics Recommended for the Identification and Documentation of Adult. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. 112(5):730-738.

Interpretive Summary: Malnutrition is a major contributor to increased morbidity and mortality as well as increased function and quality of life, increased frequency and length of hospital stay and higher health care costs. The work resulted in the development of a definition of malnutrition in adults in all settings. A more standardized approach to defining and diagnosing malnutrition will lead to better treatment and prevention.

Technical Abstract: The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (Academy) and the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (A.S.P.E.N.) recommend that a standardized set of diagnostic characteristics be used to identify and document adult malnutrition in routine clinical practice. An etiologically based diagnostic nomenclature that incorporates a current understanding of the role of the inflammatory response on malnutrition’s incidence, progression, and resolution is proposed. Universal use of a single set of diagnostic characteristics will facilitate malnutrition’s recognition, contribute to more valid estimates of its prevalence and incidence, guide interventions, and influence expected outcomes. This standardized approach will also help to more accurately predict the human and financial burdens and costs associated with malnutrition’s prevention and treatment, and further ensure the provision of high quality, cost effective nutritional care.