GLIM criteria

for the diagnosis of malnutrition

A consensus report from the global
clinical nutrition community *

WHAT IS GLIM? GLIM DIAGNOSTIC CRITERIA

Malnutrition diagnosis requires the fulfillment of at least
The Global Leadership Initiative on
1 phenotypic and 1 etiologic criterion
Malnutrition (GLIM) focuses on building a
global consensus around core diagnostic
criteria for malnutrition in adults Phenotypic Criteria
in clinical settings.

>5% within past 6 months or

2-STEPS >10% beyond 6 months
1

WEIGHT LOSS
DIAGNOSIS OF MALNUTRITION
1. SCREENING <20 if <70 years or
Perform nutrition screening
by any validated screening <22 if >70 years
tool to identify patients LOW BMI Asia: <18.5 if <70 years or
<20 if >70 years
2
“at risk for malnutrition” kg/m

2. DIAGNOSIS - APPLY GLIM CRITERIA

Reduced by validated body
Assessment for diagnosis composition measuring
REDUCED
using GLIM criteria MUSCLE techniques
then MASS

grade the severity of

malnutrition
Etiologic Criteria
GRADE
SEVERITY OF
MALNUTRITION Of <50% of ER >1 week, or
based on
phenotypic criteria
WEIGHT
LOSS
LOW
BMI
REDUCED
MUSCLE
any reduction for 2 weeks, or
MASS
REDUCED FOOD any chronic GI condition that
Mild to INTAKE OR
STAGE 1 >5-10% in 6 <20 if <70 moderate ASSIMILATION adversely impacts food
months or
MODERATE >10-20% in
years or deficit (per assimilation or absorption
MALNUTRITION <22 if >70 validated
more than 6
requires 1 criterion years assessment
months
methods)

>10% in Severe
STAGE 2
6 months or
<18.5 if <70
deficit (per
Acute disease/injury or
SEVERE years or
MALNUTRITION
>20% in
<20 if >70
validated INFLAMMATION chronic disease -related
more than 6 assessment
requires 1 criterion years
months methods)

*ASPEN, ESPEN, FELANPE and PENSA representatives constituted the core leadership commitee to form GLIM.
Cederholm T, et al. Clin Nutr. 2019;38(1):1-9. doi:10.1016/j.clnu.2018.08.002
Barazzoni R, et al. Clin Nutr. 2022;41(6):1425-1433. doi:10.1016/j.clnu.2022.02.001