Professor of Medicine and Community Health, Schools of Medicine and Nutrition, and Senior Scientist, Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, USA. This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, under agreement No. 58-1950-9-001. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Department of Agriculture

Abstract: This article discusses the use of nutritional assessment to improve the health and nutritional status of older persons. A three pronged approach is suggested. First, the emphasis is on screening for poor nutritional status. This involves a search for both biological and social factors that influence diet, physical activity and other determinants of nutritional status. The Determine Checklist is helpful in doing this. Second, after those elders potentially at risk are identified, the goal is to address risks to nutritional status more definitively. The nutritional status lexicon (ABCDEF's) must be assessed in this regard. Finally, it is critical to prevent or treat problems which have been discovered. Without follow-up,b screening and assessment are useless.

Key words: Aging, nutrition, elderly