Nutrition and the elderly: identifying those at risk.

At present our interpretation of dietary, biochemical and clinical findings is still inadequate to diagnose marginal or subclinical malnutrition in the elderly. There are two main types of nutritional risk; the first is long-standing, against which early-warning signs and early preventive action are needed. The second type of nutritional risk may be sudden, following medical or social stress. This calls for prompt action at that critical stage. Given the means to implement research findings, practical action can be taken by the Health and Social Services, relations, friends and the elderly themselves. It is necessary to take practical action against nutritional risks at an early stage. For this reason, our current longitudinal study is concentrated on men and women at the age of retirement from work.