Nutritional assessment team: body composition assessment protocol in hospitalized patients

Abstract

Summary: Introduction: Low muscle mass is the most critical consequence of malnutrition as it reduces immunity, increases the risk of infection, and significantly decreases physical function and quality of life, which persists for years. A team was created to detect changes in body composition and muscle quality in hospitalized patients to provide better management of their nutritional status. Methods: A body composition assessment team comprising specialist nutritionists who measure handgrip strength and use bioimpedance or anthropometry in hospitalized patients with nutritional risk was created. Using specific protocols, the body composition assessment team conducts an individualized nutritional intervention. Discussion: Superficial and subjective assessments may overlook risk and nutritional status. Nutritional intervention based on objective body composition assessments contributes to the reversal of lean mass loss, even in critically ill patients with inflammation and comorbidities. Conclusion: Assessment of body composition through protocol contributes to the stratification of nutritional risk and the development of early interventions. Moreover, the systematization of care generates data for the continuous monitoring of the quality of nutritional assistance.

Keywords

• Body composition assessment
• Muscle mass
• Quality nutritional assistance
• Nutritional intervention