© 2025 Canadian Malnutrition Task Force
Screening Tools
Easy to use tools for screening patients in primary care or the community for malnutrition risk
Seniors in the Community: Risk Evaluation for Eating and Nutrition (SCREEN 8)
A screening tool consisting of eight questions for quick identification of nutrition risk from Older Adult Nutrition Screening. Can be self administered by community dwelling older adults (≥ 55 years) or by health professionals.
Mini Nutrition Assessment MNA® Short Form
A validated six item nutrition screening tool that can identify patients age ≥ 65 yrs who are malnourished or at risk of malnutrition in hospital, community and other care settings, from Nestlé Nutrition Institute. Requires a measured weight and height or calf circumference. Can be self administered by older adults or by health professionals. The 18 item version is considered a standardized assessment tool.
Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST)
A validated nutrition risk screening tool to identify adults at malnutrition risk in hospital, community, and other care settings. Requires a measured weight and height for BMI, reporting of unplanned weight loss and acute disease and is to be administered by health professionals. Created by BAPEN.
Malnutrition Screening Tool (MST)
A validated tool to screen for malnutrition in adults regardless of age, medical history or setting. Includes self reported weight and food intake questions so can be self administered. Created by Australian researchers.
Poverty Screening (Food Insecurity)
Brief outline of questions around food insecurity to be incorporated into Registered Dietitians nutrition assessment process.