Nutrition Assessment

Key components of nutrition assessment

Diet history, weight history, symptoms, physical exam, body composition, nutrient stores, daily requirements

Elements of diet history

Specific diet patterns, allergies, intolerances, fast food frequency, 24‑hour recall, food diaries, supplements

GI conditions affecting nutrition

Dysphagia, gastroparesis, PUD, chronic nausea, diarrhea, celiac disease, Crohn disease

Surgical history affecting nutrition

Gastric bypass, ulcer surgery, bowel resections, cholecystectomy

Chronic illnesses affecting nutrition

DM, CHF, CKD, cirrhosis, cancer, AIDS, TB, SLE

Symptoms of nutrient deficiencies

Pica (iron), anemia (iron/folate/B12), bruising (vit K/C), night blindness (vit A), sore tongue (B vitamins), rash (niacin/zinc), neuropathy (B1/B12)

Symptoms of fat malabsorption

Steatorrhea, ADEK deficiency, essential fatty acid deficiency

Weight history components

Current weight, ideal weight, % ideal weight, max lifetime weight, desired weight, recent weight change

Significant weight loss thresholds

5% in 1 month or >10% in 6 months

Central vs peripheral obesity

Central obesity(intraabdominal) linked to metabolic syndrome and higher cardiometabolic risk

Physical signs of malnutrition

Temporal wasting, glossitis, cheilosis, peripheral edema, ecchymoses

Protein requirement rule‑of‑thumb

Normal 0.8–1 g/kg/day

BMI Parameters

<15 manourished;15-25 Normal; 25-30=overweight; 30-35 Obesity 1; 35-40 Obestity 2; 40-45 Obesity 3