Nutritional Assessment

Prepared by: Evangeline E. Francisco, RN, MSN

 Course Objectives
1. Define and use correctly all of the key terms
2. Describe anthropometric measurements used for
community level screening of malnutrition
3. Identify anthropometric indicators of the nutritional
status for children, adults and pregnant women.
4. Identify children and adults with malnutrition by
comparing their measurements to cut-off values.
5. Assess micronutrient deficiencies using clinical signs
and symptoms.
 Nutritional Assessment
• A process to identify an individual who is:
 At risk of malnutrition (risk factors are present that impair intake and/or increase
the body’s needs for nutrients and/or energy)
 Malnourished
 Likely to benefit from further nutrition assessment and treatment

• It is a rapid and simple process conducted by admitting or a nurse not a nutrition

professional.
Assessment of Dietary Intake
• 24 Hour Recall
• Food Frequency Questionnaire
• Dietary History
• Food Diary or Record
• Observation of Food Intake
24 Hours Recall
Food Frequency Questionnaire
Dietary History
• Economics
• Physical Activity
• Ethnic / Cultural Background
• Home Life and Meal Patterns
• Appetite
• Allergies, intol;erances, food avoidance
• Dental, oral health
• Gastrointestinal concerns
• Chronic diseases
• Medications
Food Diary
• Food intake (types and amount) should
be recorded at the time of consumption
• The length of collection period range
between 3-7 days
Observation of Food Intake
• Direct observation of dietary intake
• Not a feasible method for obtaining
habitual diet
 Malnutrition
• deficiencies or excesses in nutrient
intake
• imbalance of essential nutrients or
impaired nutrient utilization

Undernutrition

Overnutrition Obesity
Overweight
Xerophthalmia
• Dry eyes
• Night blindness
• “Bitot” spot
• Vit. A deficiency
Anemia
 Goitrogenic foods
Goiter
Riboflavin deficiency
ANTHROPOMETRIC MEASUREMENTS
Anthropometric Measurement Anthropometric Index
Weight Measurements
• Used to identify
body mass
• Correlated with
health status
 Weight for Height
Classification ( McLaren & Read)

• Overweight • 110% of standard wt

• Normal • 90-109% of standard wt
• Underweight mild • 85-89% of standard wt
• Undernourished, mod • 75-84% of standard wt
• Undernourished, severe • 75% of standard wt
Body Mass Index
Height for children below 2
y/o
Skinfold Thickness
• Assess body
composition, fat
distribution
Mid Upper Arm Circumference
• Upper arm
between
olecranon process
and the acromium
• Measure of the
sum of the muscle
and subcutaneous
fat
Question?
Which parameter is used to calculate
body mass index of an individual
A. Height
B. Weight
C. Abdominal circumference
D. Both height and weight
Next Meeting Group Case Analysis Reporting
• Laboratory manual Exercise # 4
• For your reporting, follow the guidelines
or objectives presented in the manual.
Group 1= Pregnancy and lactation
Group 2= Infancy and childhood
Group 3= Adolescents
Group 4= Elderly