Which nutrition screening tool is widely used to assess malnutrition risk in older adults?

• A. Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) or MNA-SF.
• B. BMI chart.
• C. Geriatric Depression Scale.
• D. Montreal Cognitive Assessment.

Answer: (A)

For older adults, identifying malnutrition risk is best done with a screening tool specifically designed for the aging population. The Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) and its short form (MNA-SF) fit this need because they capture a range of factors that influence nutrition in later life: recent changes in dietary intake, unintentional weight loss, mobility limitations, psychological stress or acute illness, neuropsychological issues, and objective measurements like BMI or calf circumference. The scoring system helps classify someone as well, at risk, or malnourished and prompts a fuller nutritional assessment and timely intervention. This broad, geriatrics-focused approach is why the MNA/MNA-SF is widely used in hospitals, clinics, and long-term care settings.

A BMI chart alone provides a snapshot of weight status but can miss malnutrition in older adults who have muscle loss with normal or even high BMI. The Geriatric Depression Scale looks at mood and depressive symptoms, which can influence eating, but it does not assess nutritional risk directly. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment screens for cognitive function rather than nutritional status, so it isn’t the right tool for assessing malnutrition risk.