ObjectiveTo introduce the progresses and applications of nutritional status assessment in hospitalized patients. MethodsThe related literatures of nutritional status assessment were reviewed. ResultsThe rates of malnutrition and nutritional risk were high in hospitalized patients worldwide. Traditional nutrition assessment tools were not in common use in all hospitalized patients. All clinical health care workers should use the most suitable tool when faced with different patients. ConclusionAll hospitalized patients should be screened for nutritional risk on admission in order to improve clinical outcomes and reduce overall treatment costs.