Definitions and prevalence of undernutrition

Abstract

Global consensus work to develop universal diagnostic criteria and documentation for undernutrition is in progress and is led by some of the world's largest parenteral and enteral nutrition societies. The European Society of Enteral and Parenteral Nutrition has proposed a more aetiological approach to the diagnosis of different categories of undernutrition. These categories are disease-related undernutrition with inflammation, disease-related undernutrition without inflammation and undernutrition without disease. The reported prevalence of undernutrition in hospitals varies widely due to differences in study populations, assessment tools and settings. It is important to note that the methods used to detect undernutrition in prevalence studies are designed to identify protein and energy undernutrition. The identification of micronutrient deficiencies requires different tools and tests. Understanding the causes and consequences of undernutrition is essential to subsequently designing multicomponent approaches to reducing its burden.