How is frailty defined according to Fried et al.'s criteria?

• A. Meeting two of the five criteria: Low grip strength, Low energy
• B. Meeting four of the five criteria: Slow walking speed, Low physical activity, Unintentional weight loss
• C. Meeting three out of the five criteria: Low grip strength; Low energy; Slowed walking speed; Low physical activity; Unintentional weight loss
• D. Meeting all five criteria

Answer: (C)

Fried and colleagues define frailty as having three or more of five specific physical criteria. Those five criteria are unintentional weight loss, self-reported exhaustion (low energy), weakness measured by grip strength, slow walking speed, and low physical activity. Meeting three out of these five criteria correctly identifies frailty, because the threshold is not two, not four, and not all five. This approach captures individuals who show multiple signs of reduced physiologic reserve without requiring every possible criterion to be present.