Nutritional Assessment of the Elderly Population with COVID-19: A Systematic Review

Background: Elderly individuals represent one of the populations most affected by COVID-19, exhibiting high vulnerability to malnutrition, sarcopenia, and poor clinical outcomes. The association between nutritional status and disease progression highlights the need for standardized assessment and targeted nutritional interventions. Methods: A systematic review was performed using PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar, covering studies published between January 2020 and October 2025. The review followed PRISMA guidelines and included studies evaluating nutritional status, screening tools, and nutritional support strategies for the elderly population (≥65 years old) with COVID-19 across inpatient, outpatient, and institutional care settings. Results: A total of seven studies met the inclusion criteria. Reported malnutrition prevalence ranged from 25% to 65%, increasing with both age and COVID-19 severity. The most frequently applied tools were the Mini Nutritional Assessment–Short Form (MNA-SF), the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) criteria, and the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI). New evidence supports early nutritional screening, high-protein supplementation, and individualized dietary strategies to reduce complications and improve recovery trajectories. Conclusions: Nutritional risk screening and timely intervention are essential in the management of elderly patients with COVID-19. Standardized assessment tools and multidisciplinary nutrition approaches enhance clinical outcomes, minimize disease burden, and should remain integral components of geriatric care in infectious and post-pandemic contexts.