NutriBib

A Rational Approach to Nutritional Assessment

Clinical Nutrition. 2008 Oct; 27(5):706-16. doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2008.07.009. Epub 2008 Sep 9.
Soeters, P. B., Reijven, P. L., van Bokhorst-de van der Schueren, M. A., Schols, J. M., Halfens, R. J., Meijers, J. M., & van Gemert, W. G.

Abstract

Background & Aims: Consensus regarding definitions of malnutrition and methods to assess nutritional state is lacking. We propose a definition and its operationalization.

Methods: A definition was formulated on the basis of the pathophysiology of malnutrition, while reviewing the metabolic and physiological characteristics of different populations, considered to be malnourished. The definition was operationalized to yield measures to perform nutritional assessment.

Results: Malnutrition was defined as "a subacute or chronic state of nutrition in which a combination of varying degrees of over- or undernutrition and inflammatory activity has led to a change in body composition and diminished function". Its operationalization led to four elements that may serve as the basis of nutritional assessment: (1) measurement of nutrient balance, (2) measurement of body composition, (3) measurement of inflammatory activity, and (4) measurement of muscle, immune and cognitive function. Most elements measured should be validated with gold standards; normal values should be obtained in different populations. Values obtained in people considered to be at nutritional risk should be related to outcome.

Conclusion: A definition is proposed that reflects the pathophysiology of malnutrition and that, when operationalized, will lead to measures reflecting this pathophysiology. Such an approach may yield comparable and reproducible rates and degrees of malnutrition in populations as well as in individuals.

Information NutriBib

Reference work for leading, current and selected literature in the field of clinical nutrition

Publications on clinical nutrition have grown steadily in recent years and the scientific evidence has been improved by numerous observational as well as intervention studies. Various umbrella organisations, such as the Swiss Society for Clinical Nutrition (GESKES), the German Society for Nutritional Medicine (DGEM) or the European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN) publish guidelines on nutrition in various clinical situations at regular intervals. Thus, a large amount of literature is available for evidence-based nutritional medicine.


The NutriBib aims to filter out authoritative publications in the various fields of nutritional medicine and thus to provide an overview of the abundance of literature. A large number of experienced nutrition experts contributed to the selection of relevant sources and allow a broadly based selection. Nevertheless, the literature selection cannot be considered exhaustive. Specific literature can be found by entering search words (using the magnifying glass at the top right) or by searching the table of contents.


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List of abbreviations

DGEM German Society for Nutritional Medicine (German Deutsche Gesellschaft für Ernährungsmedizin)
GESKES  Swiss Society for Clinical Nutrition (German Gesellschaft für klinische Ernährung der Schweiz) 
ESPEN European Society of Clinicl Nutrition and Metabolism