Unplanned weight loss of at least how many pounds in one year is used as a frailty criterion?

• A. 5 pounds
• B. 10 pounds
• C. 15 pounds
• D. 20 pounds

Answer: (B)

Unplanned weight loss is a red flag in frailty assessment because it signals diminished physiologic reserve and potential malnutrition. In the Fried frailty phenotype, losing 10 pounds or more unintentionally in the past year is one of the criteria used to identify frailty. This threshold was chosen because it’s large enough to indicate meaningful change and is associated with higher risks of adverse outcomes like hospitalization, functional decline, and falls, while still being practical to monitor in clinical settings. If the weight loss is intentional, it doesn’t count toward frailty. Five pounds is below the criterion, while fifteen or twenty pounds would indicate substantial loss but the established threshold for this frailty criterion is 10 pounds.