By David Christianson, MD

Studies indicate that up to 70% of older adults hospitalized for acute care are at nutritional risk or are malnourished. Involuntary weight loss and malnutrition is associated with increased mortality.

Conditions associated with involuntary weight loss and malnutrition include depression, social isolation, finances, malignancy, new onset diabetes, thyroid disorders, gastrointestinal diseases, COPD, medication side effects, dental problems, neurologic problems including dementia, alcohol dependence, and nutritional deficiencies.

Nutritional deficiencies occur with i...