Malnutrition is widespread among elderly people. This cross - sectional study was performed at National Geriatric Hospital Vietnam to identify the prevalence of elderly malnutrition using various body mass index (BMI) classifications and the correlation between BMI and mid-arm circumference (MAC), and calf circumference (CC). The weight, height, MAC and CC of ambulatory elderly aged 60 and over (192 men and 347 women) were measured using standardization nutritional techniques. According to the WHO classification, the prevalence of malnutrition (BMI < 18.5) was 21.4% in men and 23.1% in women. Based on Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) phenotypic classification, the prevalence of malnourished was 36.5% and 38.0%, respectively in men and women. MAC and CC strongly correlate with BMI (r = 0.800 and 0.779 for MAC; r = 0.736 and 0.705 for CC in men and women respectively; p < 0.01). The prevalence of elderly malnutrition was high, especially among people over 70 years of age. MAC and CC are strongly correlated with BMI and should be considered as potential alternative measures to identify malnutrition. Further studies need to identify other anthropometric indices to identify elderly malnutrition.

Malnutrition is widespread among elderly people. This cross - sectional study was performed at National Geriatric Hospital Vietnam to identify the prevalence of elderly malnutrition using various body mass index (BMI) classifications and the correlation between BMI and mid-arm circumference (MAC), and calf circumference (CC). The weight, height, MAC and CC of ambulatory elderly aged 60 and over (192 men and 347 women) were measured using standardization nutritional techniques. According to the WHO classification, the prevalence of malnutrition (BMI < 18.5) was 21.4% in men and 23.1% in women. Based on Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) phenotypic classification, the prevalence of malnourished was 36.5% and 38.0%, respectively in men and women. MAC and CC strongly correlate with BMI (r = 0.800 and 0.779 for MAC; r = 0.736 and 0.705 for CC in men and women respectively; p < 0.01). The prevalence of elderly malnutrition was high, especially among people over 70 years of age. MAC and CC are strongly correlated with BMI and should be considered as potential alternative measures to identify malnutrition. Further studies need to identify other anthropometric indices to identify elderly malnutrition.