According to GLIM criteria for malnutrition, what combination is required to diagnose malnutrition?

• A. Two etiologic criteria
• B. Two phenotypic criteria
• C. One etiologic criterion and one phenotypic criterion
• D. Any two of the six characteristics

Answer: (C)

The key idea is that malnutrition under GLIM is diagnosed only when there is evidence of actual nutritional depletion (a phenotypic sign) supported by an underlying cause (an etiologic sign). You need one criterion from each category to confirm malnutrition: a phenotypic criterion such as unintentional weight loss, a low BMI, or reduced muscle mass, and an etiologic criterion such as reduced food intake or assimilation, or a disease/inflammation driving the malnutrition. This combination shows that the person has both the consequence of inadequate nutrition and a contributing cause, which is why one etiologic criterion plus one phenotypic criterion is the correct requirement. Relying on two factors from only one category (two phenotypic signs or two etiologic signs) could miss the necessary link between depletion and its cause, which GLIM formalizes by needing one from each side.