Nutritional screening within the GLIM procedure—Part 2: Operationalization of the concept risk of malnutrition using a modified Delphi procedure
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Within the original Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) procedure (2019), the step on nutritional screening was not further elaborated. A new GLIM Risk of Malnutrition Working Group has recently developed a consensus-based conceptual definition of "risk of malnutrition". The present study aimed to operationalize this definition. METHODS: This study consisted of: (1) a literature search to identify risk factors for malnutrition, and (2) a two-round online modified Delphi study. International professional experts (n = 113) in the field of malnutrition were invited to rate the importance of identified risk factors using a 9-point Likert scale. In questionnaire round 1, risk factors were rated "critically important" if ≥ 70% of the participants rated them 7-9, or "not important" if >30% rated them 1-3. The remaining risk factors were categorized as "undecided." In questionnaire round 2, undecided risk factors were classified as "critically important" or "important, but not critical", based on the same threshold. RESULTS: The literature search revealed 64 risk factors that were included in the Delphi questionnaires. In questionnaire rounds one (n = 57 participants) and two (n = 46 participants), 29 risk factors (from the overarching risk categories unintentional weight loss, nutrition impact symptoms, disease-related factors, physical factors, psychological factors, decreased food intake, food assimilation, and poor diet) were deemed "critically important," 10 "important, but not critical," and 19 "substantially important." CONCLUSION: In this study, we identified which risk factors are considered critical to operationalize "risk of malnutrition." Screening for risk of malnutrition should take these relevant risk factors into account.
Source: Clinical Nutrition
Authors: Marian A.E. de van der Schueren, Elke Naumann, Rianne ter Bekke, Rocco Barazzoni, Renée Blaauw, Tommy Cederholm, Lee-anne Chapple, Charlene Compher, M. Isabel T.D. Correia, Ryoji Fukushima, M. Cristina Gonzalez, Gordon L. Jensen, Charles Chin Han Lew, Su Lin Lim, Ainsley Malone, Veeradej Pisprasert, Elisabet Rothenberg, Alison Steiber, Martine Sealy, Harriët Jager-Wittenaar
Institutions: HAN University of Applied Sciences, Wageningen University & Research, University of Trieste, Ospedale di Cattinara, Stellenbosch University, Uppsala University, Royal Adelaide Hospital, The University of Adelaide, University of Pennsylvania, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Teikyo Heisei University, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, University of Vermont, Singapore Institute of Technology, Ng Teng Fong General Hospital, National University Hospital, Khon Kaen University, Kristianstad University, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Hanze University of Applied Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Radboud University Nijmegen
Language: English
Subfield: Physiology (medical)
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,320
OpenAlex ID: W7165779998