Internationally, the reported prevalence of malnutrition varies from 22% to 43% in hospitalized patients.9,10 In a follow-up study of intensive care unit (ICU) patients, Kvale et al11 reported that 40% of patients included in the study lost more than 10 kg (22.2 lb) of weight during and in the period directly after ICU admission. Older patients, those with malignant disease, and patients receiving polypharmacy are at increased risk for the development of malnutrition while hospitalized.1