[Geriatric nutrition]

The elderly population is increasing rapidly over the last decades. This population has a high risk for malnutrition due to metabolic and organic changes that occur during the aging process. Malnutrition is especially prevalent in hospitalized elderly patients and those with other disease. Malnutrition in the elderly increases the morbido-mortality as the nutrients influence the immune function, the cognitive function, vision.... Caloric intakes of 30 Kcal/kg/day and protein ingestion of 1-1.25 g/kg/day are recommended. However, almost a third of the population does not meet these macronutrient requirements, and therefore does not meet the micronutrient requirements either. The easiest method for detecting malnutrition in the elderly is the Mini-Nutritional Assessment, which also accurately predicts the 1-year mortality. If malnutrition is detected, attempts should be made to correct this using an adequate and personalized oral diet, and it may be useful to associate energetic protein supplements.