Anthropometric measurements and nutritional status in the healthy elderly population

Abstract

Anthropometric evaluation is an essential part of the nutritional assessment in geriatrics to determine conditions of malnutrition, overweight and obesity, as well as the loss of muscle mass, gain of fat mass and redistribution of adipose tissue. These anthropometric indicators have been used to evaluate the prognosis of acute and chronic diseases, and to guide medical intervention in the elderly. It has been demonstrated that anthropometric measurements are highly reliable in determining nutritional status in comparison with other, more sophisticated methods (hydrodensitometry, dilution techniques, radio-labeled potassium and electronic bioimpedance), the use of which is restricted by their complexity and cost. Changes in body composition at different stages of life differ in men and women, and are reflected in anthropometric measurements. There is a certain consensus in which the values of the body mass index (BMI) currently in use in the elderly underestimate deficit and overestimate the condition of being overweight, and that the critical points of waist circumference probably underestimate metabolic risk. The nutritional needs of older adults with a good level of health vary little in relation to the needs of adults in general. Nevertheless, some special recommendations are indicated for groups at special risk; their application to all the population is still a motive for discussion. Nutritional evaluation in the elderly is especially difficult because many of the signs related to malnutrition are also related to the ageing process itself. Currently, a series of rapid application scales have been developed for nutritional evaluation in geriatrics. The selection of instruments for said evaluation should consider the intended objective (screening of the population at risk or care and follow-up), the profile of the population and the available resources, including the trained personnel and time required.