Malnutrition Signs and Symptoms in Senior Adults

Understanding Malnutrition in Older Adults

What Is Malnutrition and How Is It Defined?

Malnutrition is the result of a person not getting enough essential vitamins and minerals in their diet. 

Everyone has different dietary needs, and you may not experience the same malnutrition symptoms as someone else eating the same meals.

According to Nutrients, “Although clinical malnutrition predominantly occurs in patients in hospitals, care situations or nursing homes, malnutrition, nutritional risk and specific nutrient deficiencies in particular, are a common albeit frequently overlooked occurrence in community-dwelling old people.”

In addition, “Malnutrition in older adults has been recognised as a challenging health concern associated with not only increased mortality and morbidity, but also with physical decline, which has wide ranging acute implications for activities of daily living and quality of life in general.”

What Are the Different Types of Malnutrition?

The different types of malnutrition include: 

• Overnutrition caused by being overweight or obese
• Undernutrition 
• Micronutrient-relates malnutrition 
• Acute malnutrition 
• Chronic malnutrition 
• Protein-energy malnutrition (PEM)

Malnutrition involves an excess or deficiency of essential nutrients, which can cause a wide range of preventable health issues. Each type of malnutrition has different causes and treatments. If you believe you may have one or more forms of malnutrition, speak with a medical professional to get an accurate diagnosis.

Why Are Older Adults at Higher Risk of Malnutrition?

Seniors may have more than one health issue or age-related condition affecting their body’s ability to successfully absorb and utilize nutrients. 

Prescription medication side effects and other factors may also play a role in the development of malnutrition. Older adults should regularly check in with a medical professional to monitor their diet and overall health.

LifeSpring Home Nutrition offers medically tailored meals (MTMs) to meet the specific nutritional needs of older adults.

Common Signs and Symptoms of Malnutrition

What Are the Most Common Physical Signs of Malnutrition?

A few of the most common physical signs of malnutrition in older adults include: 

• Unintentional weight gain or loss
• Loose clothing or dentures
• Muscle weakness 
• Chronic fatigue 
• Brittle nails 
• Dry skin
• Loss of appetite 
• Wounds and bruises are taking a long time to heal
• Frequent infections

Malnutrition may also make cognitive or physical symptoms of medical conditions, such as confusion, disorientation, and balance issues, more severe. In addition, injuries and illnesses may become more frequent.

Seek medical support immediately if you suspect malnutrition. Early treatment can reduce the risk of long-term or permanent side effects.

How Does Unplanned Weight Loss Signal a Nutrition Problem?

Unplanned weight loss may indicate that your body is not getting enough energy or nutrients from your meals, forcing it to burn fat stores. 

Often, people who unintentionally lose weight have an underlying problem interfering with digestion. According to Short Communication, “Multiple studies have shown that unintentional weight loss is a marker of malnutrition and is associated with poor clinical outcomes.”

Older adults may struggle to identify if this becomes an issue. In fact, “in a recent study aimed at developing a Malnutrition Awareness Scale (MAS) for older adults, participants often struggled to understand the term ‘unintentional weight loss’.”

Nutrition directly affects weight changes and body composition. Your body weight changes based on metabolism, how much energy you use each day, your activity level, general wellness, and the amount of nutrients your body absorbs. Body weight may change with undernutrition or overnutrition, underscoring the importance of a balanced diet.

How Is BMI or Body Mass Index Used in Older Adults?

BMI is a screening tool used to check a person’s nutritional risks based on weight, height, and age. 

Medical professionals may use BMI to check for signs of malnutrition. However, for older adults, body mass index may not provide a clear picture of health due to factors such as age-related changes in the body.

For example, as adults age, they lose muscle mass; however, BMI does not differentiate between muscle and fat, so older adults who are losing muscle mass may not show signs of malnutrition using BMI.

Being underweight or obese may both signal malnutrition in older adults. Malnutrition simply means your nutritional intake does not meet your body’s needs, and it can cause you to gain or lose weight depending on your diet and general health. BMI is one way medical professionals track these changes.

Appetite Changes and Eating Patterns

Why Does Loss of Appetite Happen in Seniors?

As you age, your body systems slow, and digestive changes may lead to weaker hunger cues, causing seniors to have a lower appetite and unintentionally miss meals. 

Changes in activity level, energy, and overall health affect how much seniors eat. Some older adults may experience appetite loss due to age-related changes in the body or side effects of certain medications.

It is important to consult a healthcare provider if you notice frequent undereating or loss of appetite, as this may indicate a significant problem.

How Can Skipping Meals Lead to Poor Nutrition Over Time?

Skipping meals strains your body by depriving it of essential nutrients. 

Every body system requires a certain level of nutrients to remain healthy and functional. Malnutrition has a cumulative effect, meaning the longer you go without proper nutrition, the worse the effects.

A few ways skipping meals can lead to poor nutrition include:

• Blood sugar instability 
• Lowered metabolism 
• Reduced overall quality of diet 

Weekly meal deliveries from LifeSpring Home Nutrition make it easier for caregivers and seniors to maintain a healthy eating schedule to avoid skipping meals.

When Do Taste Changes or Difficulty Eating Increase Risk?

Anytime personal preferences or health changes affect what or how much you eat, it can lead to malnutrition and other conditions. 

Foods taste different as you age for a variety of reasons, including shrinking taste buds and reduced flavor sensitivity. Changes in taste can cause some older adults to avoid previously enjoyed foods, sometimes leading to unintentionally skipping meals or severely limiting meal choices.

LifeSpring Home Nutrition offers meals enhanced to taste delicious while providing essential vitamins and minerals.

Medical Conditions That Increase Malnutrition Risk

How Do Chronic Illnesses Affect Nutrient Absorption?

Chronic illnesses, especially those involving digestion, have a profound effect on nutrient absorption. 

Anything that interferes with the digestive process can lead to malnutrition. According to Nutrients, “Chronic diseases, i.e., conditions that occur for at least one or more years and necessitate ongoing medical care, include diseases such as cardiovascular conditions, cancers, diabetes mellitus, and Alzheimer’s disease.”

In addition, “Diet, often considered as a lifestyle factor, contributes to the development of many chronic conditions including obesity, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, stroke, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, some cancers, and perhaps some neurological diseases.”

What Do Low Energy Levels and Fatigue Say About Nutrition Status?

If you frequently feel tired and weak throughout the day, it might mean you do not get enough essential nutrients from your meals. 

Some older adults may not absorb enough of certain vitamins or minerals, causing sleep disturbances and exhaustion. For example, a magnesium deficiency can cause insomnia.

A few common nutrient deficiencies that may reduce your energy levels throughout the day include B12, magnesium, iron, and vitamin D. Eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains will ensure you get the recommended daily amount of these nutrients.

What Role Do Gastrointestinal Conditions Like Inflammatory Bowel Disease Play?

Inflammatory bowel syndrome (IBS), liver disease, heart disease, and other health issues play a role in malnutrition. 

Inflammatory bowel disease and other digestive issues can cause scarring or other damage, reducing the body’s ability to absorb nutrients from food. Consult with a medical professional if you experience severe or persistent digestive issues to avoid long-term health problems.

Malabsorption and Micronutrient Deficiencies

What Is Malabsorption and Why Is It Dangerous?

Malabsorption is a condition in which the small intestine fails to absorb enough fats, carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, and minerals from food. 

Micronutrient deficiencies affect the immune system and organs throughout the body by depriving cells of the nutrients needed to produce hormones and other substances. You can eat what feels like a typical amount of food and still be malnourished if you do not eat balanced meals.

How Are Mental Health and Cognitive Changes Impacted By Nutrition?

Malnutrition symptoms may include cognitive and mental health changes, such as depressive episodes, anxiety, and cognitive decline. 

Mental health and diet are closely connected. For example, mental health conditions like depression may affect eating habits and your relationship with food, increasing your risk of undernutrition or overnutrition. Anxiety and depression can also cause stress eating or a lack of appetite.

How Can Cognitive Decline Make Meal Planning and Eating Harder?

Natural age-related cognitive decline and cognition issues caused by medical conditions can make meal planning and eating harder by causing the following:

• Memory issues that make it hard to remember if you have already eaten 
• Difficulty narrowing down what foods to eat
• Confusion and problems identifying foods
• Difficulty remembering steps for making everyday foods

LifeSpring Home Nutrition eliminates the need to plan and prepare full meals, reducing stress on caregivers and seniors.

Health Consequences of Untreated Malnutrition

Why Can Malnutrition Become Life-Threatening if Ignored?

If left unaddressed, malnutrition often leads to severe health issues, such as organ failure, cognitive decline, and social isolation.

In addition, malnutrition weakens the immune system over time and may affect heart rate and blood pressure. Unfortunately, some older adults may become unable to care for themselves if their health declines rapidly due to poor nutrition.

LifeSpring Home Nutrition provides nutritional meals that address the dietary needs of seniors with a maladaptive relationship to food.

What Are Some Social and Environmental Risk Factors?

Many people who become malnourished have social or environmental factors that make it more challenging to follow a balanced diet, including the following:

• Low income impacting access to enough nutrients 
• Living alone or with an increased risk of limited mobility 
• Lack of transport or the ability to personally shop for food 

Caregivers or family members play a vital role in monitoring for early warning signs and risk factors that may impact older adults.

What Warning Signs Should Caregivers Watch For?

Some warning signs of malnutrition a caregiver should look for include: 

• Disinterest or depressive episodes 
• Unusual muscle weakness
• Tremors or shakiness
• Exhaustion and frequent naps
• Sudden and unexplained cognitive decline 
• Dental issues 

Identifying malnutrition early increases the likelihood of positive outcomes.

Consult a nutritionist, your primary healthcare provider, or another medical professional for nutritional support.

Nutrition Support and Intervention Options

How Do Balanced Diets Support Recovery and Strength?

A balanced diet, medically tailored meals, and nutritional supplements help people make healthier lifestyle choices. 

Your primary care doctor or dietitian may recommend nutritional supplements or MTMs if you have chronic conditions impacting your digestion. Medically tailored meals can also significantly improve outcomes for older adults recovering from surgery, injury, or illness.

How LifeSpring Home Nutrition Helps Address Malnutrition

How Do Individually Prescribed Meals Support Better Health?

Tailored and individually prescribed meals address unique dietary needs and reduce the risk of preventable diseases. 

Being able to choose which foods to include in each week’s delivery supports the dignity and emotional well-being of older adults living in California communities. Developing a healthier relationship with food by taking advantage of home-delivered meals allows seniors to remain independent longer.

Meals from LifeSpring Home Nutrition reduce stress for seniors and caregivers by simplifying meal planning and preparation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Malnutrition in Seniors

What is the difference between undernutrition and overnutrition?

Undernutrition means you do not get enough vitamins and minerals from your diet, while overnutrition occurs when you consume excess nutrients, which may lead to hormonal imbalances, weight gain, and other issues. 

Both an excess and a deficiency of certain nutrients may alter how your body functions. In the most severe cases, malnutrition may cause organs to shut down. Micronutrients in your diet may contribute to how you feel and the primary difference in your ability to function while malnourished.

LifeSpring Home Nutrition provides balanced meals that ensure you do not have to worry about over- or undernutrition in your diet.

Can malnutrition occur in seniors who are overweight?

Yes. Overnutrition may lead to unintentional weight gain and obesity.

Many people wrongly assume malnutrition always means being underfed and missing essential nutrients due to a lack of food. However, in some cases, people become malnourished by eating excessive amounts of non-nutritious foods.

Home-delivered meals help you avoid unhealthy patterns of behavior by providing consistent, healthy, pre-portioned meals.

How quickly can malnutrition develop in older adults?

Malnutrition can develop within as little as a few days or weeks. 

People who are sick or injured have an increased risk of developing unhealthy eating patterns that result in malnutrition. In addition, certain acute or chronic health conditions may make it harder for the body to absorb nutrients, leading to over- or undernutrition.

What are the early signs that family members often overlook?

Some early signs that a family member may need dietary support include the following: 

• Increased body fat and reduced muscle mass 
• Unexplained fatigue throughout the day
• Stuff joints and mobility issues
• Unexplained, suddenly thinning hair 
• Mood swings and cognitive instability 
• Sleep disturbances, including oversleeping or insomnia 

Malnutrition can look different in older adults, and it may be difficult for a caregiver or family member to notice.

The side effects of malnutrition can cause high blood pressure and obesity. Frequently, eating ultra-processed foods, saturated fats, and bad cholesterol contributes to the development of malnutrition.

Dietetics can give you insights into how to address a lack of nutrients and deficiencies with a balanced diet.

Are frozen meals effective for preventing malnutrition?

Yes! Frozen meals are an excellent source of nutrients. 

Older adults at a high risk of malnutrition benefit from signing up for weekly meal deliveries from LifeSpring Home Nutrition. The flash freezing process used to prepare each dish traps the nutrients. Some dishes also contain nutraceuticals, which help retain nutrients during reheating.

Frozen meals can also enhance the nutritional value of fresh meals. For example, eating a balanced meal of fresh fruit and a premade serving of chicken soup provides you with essential protein, vitamins, and minerals.

Understanding the symptoms of malnutrition can help you avoid preventable diseases and improve your overall health. LifeSpring Home Nutrition offers tailored meal plans to provide you with the dietary support you need to avoid malnutrition and vitamin or mineral deficiencies. To learn more about our services and how to get tailored meals delivered directly to your door weekly, call our office today at (800) 798-5767.