Nestlé Nutrition Institute - MNA® Elderly

Overview

What is the MNA^®?

The MNA^® is a validated nutrition screening and assessment tool that can identify geriatric patients age 65 and above who are malnourished or at risk of malnutrition. The MNA^® was developed nearly 20 years ago and is the most well validated nutrition screening tool for the elderly. Originally comprised of 18 questions, the current MNA^® now consists of 6 questions and streamlines the screening process. The current MNA^® retains the validity and accuracy of the original MNA^® in identifying older adults who are malnourished or at risk of malnutrition. The revised MNA^® Short Form makes the link to intervention easier and quicker and is now the preferred form of the MNA^® for clinical use.

Latest news about the MNA^®

New for Older Adults – Self MNA^®
Just introduced in the U.S., the Self MNA^® is a simple tool designed to help older adults see if they are getting the nutrition they need. This new tool has been scientifically validated and publications are in preparation. Older adults may download the Self MNA^® here, complete the 6 questions, and share the results with their doctor to help guide the discussion about nutrition and their health.
Call for Papers on the Mini-Nutritional Assessment MNA^®
One of the issues of the JNHA in 2012 will be dedicated to publications on the MNA^®. Juergen M Bauer, MD, PhD, Oldenburg, Germany, will serve as guest editor of the MNA issue.
In this context the following research areas will be of special interest:
- Epidemiology (i.e. prevalence of malnutrition, geographical and ethnic variations, focus on specific populations – community-living, institutional)
- Methodology (i.e. the MNA^® as a monitoring tool, adaptations of the BMI/CC-cut offs due to ethnicity)
- MNA^® and functionality (i.e. cognitive status, frailty, disability)
- MNA^® based interventions

Please submit your papers by June 30, 2012 to http://jnha.edmgr.com

The MNA^® is more sensitive than BMI in early detection of malnutrition and risk for malnutrition in elderly residents in long term care. In an abstract presented at the European Union of Geriatric Medicine Society (EUGMS) 2011 meeting, the MNA^® identified a four-fold higher prevalence of at risk residents and a slightly higher prevalence of malnutrition in 3299 elderly residents, compared to the BMI alone, confirming the MNA^®-SF is a more suitable tool for detecting nutritional issues in the elderly.
The MNA^® and calf circumference measuring tape received the Good Design Award 2011 from the Japan Institute of Design Promotion (commonly called G-mark accreditation), given for designs that enrich people’s lives and society. After the 2011 Japan Earthquake, the MNA^®- SF, which may be used in care settings or at home, was used in evacuation centers to quickly and easily detect nutritional status in vulnerable older adults.

The Interactive MNA^® is now available in Chinese, Dutch, English, French, German, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Polish, Romanian, Sinhala, Spanish, Turkish and Thai. Other languages forthcoming.