Table 1.

Definition of malnutrition and other related conditions

Malnutrition [40]

At least 1 phenotypic criterion and 1 etiologic criterion should be present   Phenotypic Criteria:    Nonvolitional weight loss    Low body mass index    Reduced muscle mass   Etiologic criteria:    Reduced food intake or assimilation    Disease burden/inflammation condition

Starvation [44]

Reduction in both fat and fat-free mass due to protein–energy deficiency, which could be reversed solely by the provision of nutrients

Cachexia [42]

Severe weight loss (adults) or growth failure (children) due to loss of muscle ± loss of fat mass associated with increased protein catabolism by underlying chronic illness

Cancer cachexia [41]

A multifactorial syndrome defined by an ongoing loss of skeletal muscle mass (with or without loss of fat mass) that cannot be fully reversed by conventional nutritional support and leads to progressive functional impairment

Sarcopenia [43]

Sarcopenia is a progressive and generalized skeletal muscle disorder that is associated with increased likelihood of adverse outcomes including falls, fractures, physical disability, and mortality.

Sarcopenia is probable when low muscle strength is detected (handgrip strength < 27 kg for males and < 16 kg for females). A sarcopenia diagnosis is confirmed by the presence of low muscle quantity or quality (ASM/height2 < 7.0 kg/m2 for males and < 5.5 kg/m2 for females). When low muscle strength, low muscle quantity/quality and low physical performance (low gait speed ≤ 0.8 m/s both for males and females) are all detected, sarcopenia is considered severe

BMI body mass index, ASM appendicular skeletal muscle mass