Assessment of Nutritional status

Dr Paul T Francis, MD Prof. Com Med 7th April University, Zawia, Libya

Contents
Need for nutritional assessment Types of surveys Elements of nutritional assessment
Clinical examination Anthropometry Lab and Biochemical tests Dietary survey Study of vital statistics Assessment of ecological factors

Aim of nutritional assessment

To identify nutritional problems of the community To find the underlying cause for malnutrition To plan and implement( )control of malnutrition Maintain good nutrition of community

Types of surveys
Longitudinal Cross-sectional

In longitudinal surveys some families are observed ( , )for one year or longer In cross-sectional survey a sample is examined for prevalence of malnutrition

Elements of Nutritional Assessment

Clinical examination Anthropometry Laboratory and biochemical tests Dietary surveys Study of vital statistics Assessment of ecological factors

Clinical examination
Person is examined for signs of malnutrition e.g.. Anemia, rickets.

Anthropometry
Weight (for age)
Is the most important measure for assessing malnutrition

Height (Length in children <2years Head circumference in 0-4 years Mid-upper arm circumference Skin fold thickness

Weight (for age)

Weight of the child can be plotted on a growth chart to monitor the growth of the child The upper and lower limit of normal weight is shown by two lines road to health The weight of the child should be between the two lines If the weight of the child is below the lower line it is malnutrition and if the weight of the child is above the upper line it is overweight

Growth chart Road to Health chart

Laboratory and Biochemical examination

Laboratory tests Hb, stool for ova Biochemical tests Serum protein, serum iron etc. Biochemical tests are usually done on a small sample of people

Dietary surveys
Dietary survey provide a real picture of the food consumption of the community It can be done in three ways:
Weighing of raw foods for about 7 days and a average daily consumption is calculated Weighing cooked food. Even though this is better, most people do not like it. Oral questionnaire method quantity of food eaten over the last 24 hours is calculated.

The study of Vital Statistics

Nutritional status influence these rates Infant Mortality Rate Rate of Low Birth weight Life expectancy

Assessment of Ecological factors

Is necessary to get the complete picture of nutritional status. They are:
Cultural factors - food habits, beliefs Food production food cultivation, storage, marketing Socio-economic factors family size, educational status, per-capita income Health and nutritional services immunization, feeding programmes

Summary
It is important to assess the nutritional status of the community to promote health, prevent malnutrition and control malnutrition. Nutritional surveys will give us the information Methods of nutritional assessment are:
Clinical examination

Summary contd
Anthropometry Lab and biochemical test Dietary survey Study of vital statistics Assessment of ecological factors

Good nutrition leads to healthy people and health community