Published online by Cambridge University Press: 07 July 2004
Nutrient inadequacies, especially in older persons, impact adversely on health, increasing the risk of acute and chronic disease and prolonging recovery from illness. Malnutrition is a condition due to an inadequate calorie and micronutrient intake that fails to meet the basic requirements for body maintenance, growth and development. Malnutrition often occurs in older people in acute hospital settings, among residents in nursing homes and in long-term care. Malnutrition in institutionalized older people is as high as 40–50%.