asynchronous week 3 nutrition assessment

define and describe nutrition assessment

determining nutritional status by analyzing individual’s ABCD (anthropometric, biochemical, clinical,dietary) history and current data

describe specific examples of anthropometric measurements and their strengths and limitations

measurement of physical dimensions and gross composition of the body. height weight mid upper arm circumference MUAC

• MUAC only good for children, easy to use, cost effective

• recumbent length: measured if child cannot stand erect without assistance (uncomfortable for child)

define describe evaluate: stunting, wasting, underweight, and body mass index BMI

wasting: low weight for height, acute malnutrition

stunting: low height for age, chronic malnutrition

underweight: low weight for age in children, chronic and acute

BMI: how we classify weight status in adults

briefly describe how biochemical measurements can be used in nutrition assessments

measure nutrient or its metabolite in blood, urine, feces

differentiate between clinical signs and symptoms

signs observed by trained professional, affected person is usually unaware

symptoms are subjective, reported by affected person

identify and explain some useful clinical signs of malnutrition (including bilateral pitting edema)

• depigmentation of hair

• bitot’s spots= xeropthalmia night blindness

• paleness of skin near eyes= iron deficiency anemia

• nails traverse ridgiing = protein deficiency \

• bilateral pitting edema sign of severe acute malnutrition (press with thumb and remove thumbs, if indent remains = pit edema)

summarize the limitations of a physical examination in the assessment of nutritional status

signs and symptoms can be hard to interpret, not specific and can mean its cause of other deficiencies too

• examiner inconsistencies

• inter-individual variability

identify, describe, evaluate the strengths and limitations of types of dietary assessments (24 hour recall, food records, food frequency questionnaires)

24 hour recall

• strengths: quick, cheap, easy for person to do, doesnt alter diet

• limitations: relies on memory, one recall doesnt represent individuals typical intake

food records

• strengths: doesnt rely on memory, provides detail, insight into eating habits, multiple days more representative

• limitations: takes time to complete, recording diet alters diet, lots of data

food frequency questionnaires

• strengths: self administered, cheap, more representative of intake, cheap

• limitations: might not include foods usually consumed by persons, might not include portion size

determine which method of dietary assessment would be most appropriate in various settings

depending on the goal, resources, respondents, and setting