Work groups from the American Dietetic Association and American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition are developing new definitions and diagnostic criteria for malnutrition in adults. Concepts serving as a foundation for these new definitions and criteria include starvation-related malnutrition, chronic disease-related malnutrition and acute disease-related malnutrition. These changes will impact all areas of healthcare, i.e. acute care, home care, long term care, etc