Handgrip Strength Signals Malnutrition Risk.

In 2025, Vânia Aparecida Leandro-Merhi and a team from Pontifical Catholic University of Campinas studied 211 hospitalized adults in Brazil’s public health system. They used the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) criteria and handgrip strength (HGS) to spot nutritional risks, comparing them to standard tools like Nutritional Risk Screening-2002, measuring muscle strength and body composition.

Low HGS was linked to malnutrition in 70% of patients, with GLIM criteria identifying 65% at risk. Weak grip strength predicted worse outcomes like longer hospital stays (up to 20% longer) and higher complication risks, matching other tools but easier for bedridden patients.

Test your grip strength regularly and eat nutrient-rich foods to avoid malnutrition risks.