N: Nutrition basics

Standard nutritional status

weight and height

How to calculate BMI?

Weight (kg) divided by height (m²)

Healthy BMI:

18.5-24.9

(not everyone fits the standard ex: bodybuilders)

Underweight BMI:

<18.5

Overweight BMI:

25-29.9

Obese BMI:

>30

Waist Circumference:

Female: >35 indicates obesity

Male: >40 indicated obesity

Nutrition Assessment:

• dry, brittle hair

• skin with dry patches

• poor wound healing or sores

• lack of subcutaneous fat or muscle wasting

• irregular cardiac measurements (HR, BP)

• enlarged spleen or liver

• general weakness

• impaired coordination

• consider social and cultural norms

• food allergies

• food intolerance

• Meds(drug interactions)

• assess eating habits (food diary)

• access to food

• socioeconomic status

Nutrition Labs:

• screening for CV disease (cholesterol and triglycerides)

• diabetes (fasting BS or A1C)

• fatty liver disease (liver enzymes: AST + ALT)

• thyroid disorders

Nutrients included on food label:

• calories

• calories from fat

• total fat

• saturated fat

• trans fat

• cholesterol

• sodium

• total carbs

• dietary fiber

• sugars

• proteins

• vitamin A+C

• calcium

• iron

Info on nutrition labels:

• single serving size

• number of servings in a package

• % of daily values

• amount of nutrients in a serving

Cultural, Ethnic, and Religious influences:

• culture influences nutritional intake

• food can be symbolic

• culture can define what foods are edible

• food preparation

• linked to health beliefs

• hot and cold balance

Ethnocentrism:

belief that one’s own cultural practices are the only correct behaviors, beliefs, attitudes and values