From the Academy
Evidence Analysis Center
Malnutrition Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Considerations for Registered Dietitian Nutritionists

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jand.2020.05.012Get rights and content

Abstract

Recent evidence examining adults infected with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has indicated a significant impact of malnutrition on health outcomes. Individuals who have multiple comorbidities, are older adults, or who are malnourished, are at increased risk of being admitted to the intensive care unit and of mortality from COVID-19 infections. Therefore, nutrition care to identify and address malnutrition is critical in treating and preventing further adverse health outcomes from COVID-19 infection. This document provides guidance and practice considerations for registered dietitian nutritionists providing nutrition care for adults with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection in the hospital, outpatient, or home care settings. In addition, this document discusses and provides considerations for registered dietitian nutritionists working with individuals at risk of malnutrition secondary to food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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D. Handu is senior scientific director, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Evidence Analysis Center, Chicago, IL.

L. Moloney is nutrition researchers, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Evidence Analysis Center, Chicago, IL.

M. Rozga is nutrition researchers, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Evidence Analysis Center, Chicago, IL.

F. W. Cheng is nutrition researchers, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Evidence Analysis Center, Chicago, IL.

STATEMENT OF POTENTIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

FUNDING/SUPPORT This work was supported by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

AUTHOR CONTRIBUTIONS All authors wrote sections of the first draft, thoroughly edited the manuscript, and approved the final draft.

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