BASIC NUTRITION AND DIET THERAPY: PRELIM

FOOD GUIDE PYRAMID

FNRI ( Foods and Nutrition Research In
Institute)

Unit 2 – NUTRITION TOOLS

STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES
NUTRIENT RECOMMENDATIONS
 BASIC NUTRITION AND DIET THERAPY: PRELIM
ANTHROPOMETRIC
MEASUREMENTS
-The core elements of anthropometry are
height, weight, head circumference,
body mass index (BMI), body
circumferences to assess for adiposity
(waist, hip, and limbs), and skinfold
thickness. A
-Anthropometry is the measurement of
variations in the physical dimensions
and gross composition of the human
body at different age levels and degrees
of nutrition.
Common Anthropometric
measurements:
b.1 Weight (for age)
-Uses weighing scales such as beam
balance scales or clinical scales which
are ideal or a bar scale in the absence of
the scales initially mentioned.
- Assesses body mass.
-A sensitive indicator of current
nutritional status
-Key anthropometric measurement
-Uses reference values for age or height
or both of population.
b.2 Height (for age)
-Assesses linear dimensions of the
following: legs, pelvis, spine, and skull.
- Less sensitive and generally an
indicator of past nutritional status
(chronicity of malnutrition).
-Uses a statiometer, and anthropometric
steel rods fixed accurately and vertically
to the wall; for infants (below 2 years),
an infantometer is used.
b.3 Weight for height/length
-A most accurate indicator of the present
or current state of nutrition.
-An expression of leanness or wasting.
b.4 Skinfold thickness
-Assesses body composition, fat
distribution, and, hence reserve of
calories.
- Must be compared against standards
for age and sex at all ages.
- Uses a reliable caliper (Harpenden,
Lange, or USAMRNL)
b.5 Body circumferences
-The head/chest circumference ratio is of
value in detecting PEM in early
childhood. The head and chest
circumferences are the same at six
months of age. After this age, the skull
grows slowly and the chest grows more
rapidly.
-The mid-upper arm circumference
(MUAC) has been mainly used on
children from 1 to 6 years old. Between
1 and 4 years, the reference values
change a little, and the age need not be
accurately known.
b.6 Birth weight
-It is related to maternal nutrition and
socioeconomic status.
-Usually taken the cut-off point for "
ow-birth weight babies " is 2,500 grams.
DIETARY HISTORY
-The dietary history is more complete
than either the 24 hrs recall or food
frequency questionnaire, although it
usually includes both of these sources.
The dietary history contains additional
information about the following:
Economics
Income
Amount of money for food each week or
month and individual perception of its
adequacy for meeting food needs.
Physical Activity
Occupation
Exercise
Sleep-hours/day
Ethnic and cultural background
A. influence on eating habits
B. Religion
C. Education
4. Home life and Meal Patterns
A. Number of household members
B. Person who does shopping
C. Person who does cooking and
relationship with this person.
D. Food storage and cooking facilities.
E. Type of housing
F. Ability to shop and prepare food.
5. Appetite
A. Good, poor, any changes
B. Factors that affect appetite
 BASIC NUTRITION AND DIET THERAPY: PRELIM
C. Taste and smell perception
6. Allergies, Intolerance, and food
Avoidances
A. Foods and avoided and reason
B. Length of time of avoidance
7.Dental and Oral Health
A. Problems with eating
B. Foods that cannot be eaten
C. Problems with swallowing,salivation,
and food sticking
Gastrointestinal Concerns
Problem with heartburn, bloating,
gas,diarrhea, constipation, distention.
Frequency of problems
Home remedies
Antacid, laxative, and other drug used.
Chronic Diseases
Treatment
Length of time if treatment
Dietary modification
Medication
Vitamin and mineral supplement
Medications
TRACE MINERALS
-Minerals that are required in our diet at
amounts less than 100 mg/day.
NUTRIENTS INTAKE ANALYSIS
-Nutrient intake assessments are
undertaken at a national and regional
level to assess the population ' s
nutritional status. Food composition
databases and consumption studies thus
use country-specific food classification
systems, based on national criteria. This
is mainly due to legal aspects and
traditions, besides food' s economic and
cultural importance. For example, there
is a separate group for coconut products
in the food composition tables of the
Pacific Islands and a group for edible
insects in the Thai food composition
database. Food classification systems for
use in nutrient intake assessments are
therefore country- and time-specific,
reflecting known food consumption
patterns at the time of the study.
DIETARY INTAKE DATA
-Dietary intake refers to the daily eating
patterns of an individual, including
specific foods and calories consumed
and relative quantities. Nutrition status
refers to the availability of nutrients and
calories in the individual' s diet
compared to nutrition recommendations
for the individual' s age group and
overall health status.
-Dietary intake measurements are used
to assess the food, nutrient, or bioactive
intake of individuals, groups, or
populations. The purpose of collection
of measurements varies from individual
assessments in clinical situations
(nutrition screening) or the adequacy of
intake of population groups (nutrition
surveillance) to use in research relating
diet to health status, particularly in
epidemiology.