Mapping the scientific research on geriatric nutritional assessment (2016-2025): A bibliometric analysis

Nutritional assessment is a crucial strategy for preventing and managing geriatric syndromes. This study conducted a bibliometric analysis to clarify the research trajectory and evolutionary trends in geriatric nutritional assessment, identify its core research characteristics and cutting-edge directions, and provide an academic reference for research and clinical practice.

A literature search was conducted in the Web of Science Core Collection and Scopus databases on January 7, 2026, limited to English-language original research articles and reviews on geriatric nutritional assessment published between 2016 and 2025. 1725 documents from Web of Science Core Collection and 4458 from Scopus were finally included, and quantitatively analyzed using three bibliometric tools: the R bibliometrix package, VOSviewer, and CiteSpace.

The number of global publications in geriatric nutritional assessment showed a sustained upward trend from 2016 to 2024, with preliminary data indicating continued rapid growth in 2025. Three major research hotspots were identified in this field: the development of precision-oriented nutritional risk assessment tools; research on the association between nutritional status and multi-system geriatric syndromes; and targeted nutritional management based on conventional clinical prediction models.

The field of global geriatric nutritional assessment has transitioned into a phase of rapid development, diversified integration, and precision orientation. Future research should focus on strengthening international, cross-regional cooperation, integrating interdisciplinary core teams, and accelerating the clinical translation of precision tools to better support elderly nutritional management and global healthy aging.