Mini Nutritional Assessment

Definition

The Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) is a validated screening tool used to identify malnutrition or risk of malnutrition in older adults. It evaluates various factors including dietary intake, weight loss, mobility, psychological stress, and body mass index (BMI).

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The MNA consists of both a short-form (MNA-SF) and a full assessment form.
2. It is specifically designed for use in elderly populations.
3. The MNA includes 18 questions that cover anthropometric measurements, general health status, dietary habits, and self-perception of health and nutrition.
4. A score equal to or greater than 24 indicates normal nutritional status, while a score less than 17 indicates malnutrition.
5. It helps healthcare professionals make informed decisions about nutritional interventions.

Review Questions

• What are the main components evaluated in the Mini Nutritional Assessment?
• How does the Mini Nutritional Assessment score correlate with nutritional status?
• Why is the Mini Nutritional Assessment particularly useful for elderly patients?

Related terms

Malnutrition: A condition that occurs when a person's diet does not provide adequate nutrients or when an individual cannot absorb nutrients properly.

Body Mass Index (BMI): A measure calculated using a person's weight and height to estimate whether they have a healthy body weight.

Anthropometry: The study of measuring human body dimensions and composition to assess physical variation and growth patterns.