The European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN) reported criteria for the diagnosis of adult malnutrition.
Patient selection: hospitalized adult identified to be at risk by a nutritional screening tool
Criteria for a diagnosis of malnutrition - one or more of the following:
(1) body mass index < 18.5 kg per square meter
(2) both of the following:
(2a) unintentional weight loss either (> 5% over the last 3 months) OR (> 10% over any period)
(2b) (BMI < 20 kg per square meter if < 70 years of age) OR (BMI < 22 if >= 70 years of age)
(3) both of the following:
(3a) unintentional weight loss either (> 5% over the last 3 months) OR (> 10% over any period)
(3b) fat free mas index (FFMI) (< 15 kg per square meter if female) OR (< 17 if male)
