The identification of patients coming to hospital as being under or over weight is very important. Especially the underweight.
There are many methods and Body Mass Index is the hall mark measure.
Matos et al write in EJCN that handgrip strength is a good indicator of underweight patients.
This is an easy method in principle and fun if a happy person teases the patient into a good test.
However the test may be compromised by arthritis, strokes, anxiety ( not another bloody test ) and inattention
My own feeling is look at the person are they thin, fat or normal size?
Matos LC et al (2007) handgrip strength as a hospital admission nutrition risk screening method. European Journal Clinical Nutrition vol 61, 1128-35.

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