[Position statement of the National Nursing Assessment Group of Germany: regarding the basic "nutrition and fluid requirements" policy of the elderly by the MDS (Medical Service of the Central Associations of the Health Insurance Companies), July 2003].

Assessing the nutritional state of old and dependent people demands a distinctive consideration of all aspects which might influence the individual's nutritional habits. An isolated consideration of the body mass index (BMI) does not serve the needs of elderly, because the BMI seems not to be a valid indicator for their nutrtional state. In order to prove the risk of malnutrition, also the individual life conditions as well as social, religious, cultural and economic circumstances besides the amount of energy and nu triments are to be taken into account.