What does the acronym DETERMINE stand for in nutrition screening?

The acronym DETERMINE is a useful tool in nutrition screening, specifically aimed at identifying older adults at risk of malnutrition. In this context, each letter corresponds to a specific aspect of a person's health and lifestyle that could indicate a risk for nutritional deficiencies or poor health outcomes.

The components of DETERMINE are:

• Disease: It acknowledges that chronic diseases can affect nutritional intake and health status.

• Eating poorly: This assesses whether individuals have poor dietary habits or insufficient intake of essential nutrients.

These two factors—disease and inadequate dietary habits—highlight critical risk areas that warrant attention and intervention. By understanding these elements, healthcare providers can better assess and support individuals who may be vulnerable to malnutrition or related health issues.

The other options do not capture the comprehensive nature of the DETERMINE acronym as effectively. For example, while "Disease Evaluation" and "Dietary Trends" touch on aspects of nutrition, they do not encompass the specific risk factors outlined in the DETERMINE assessment. "Eating Timing" does not align with the purpose of the acronym as it oversimplifies the broader issues of disease impact and overall dietary quality. Thus, identifying disease and poor eating habits is vital in the context of nutrition screening and risk assessment for older adults