Nutrition Assessment and Classification: Helenita Arlene Mendones - Moros
Nutrition Assessment and Classification: Helenita Arlene Mendones - Moros
Nutrition Assessment and Classification: Helenita Arlene Mendones - Moros
ASSESSMENT AND
CLASSIFICATION
HELENITA ARLENE MENDONES – MOROS
NUTRITIONAL ASSESSMENT
• Nutritional assessment is the systematic process of
collecting and interpreting information in order to
make decisions about the nature and cause
of nutrition related health issues that affect an
individual
• is the interpretation of anthropometric,
biochemical (laboratory), clinical and dietary data
to determine whether a person or groups of ...
PURPOSE OF NUTRITIONAL
SCREENING
• The purpose of nutritional screening is to rapidly
identify patients who are at high nutritional risk or
have poor nutritional status at hospital
admission. Nutritional screening should include
dynamic parameters rather than static ones—for
example, recent weight loss, current body mass
index (BMI), ...
APPROACHES TO N.
ASSESSMENT
• The simplest approach to assessment is serial
weight measurement. A comprehensive nutritional
assessment includes (1) anthropometric
measurements of body composition; (2)
biochemical measurements of serum protein,
micronutrients, and metabolic parameters; (3)
clinical assessment of altered nutritional
requirements and social or psychological issues that
may preclude adequate intake; and (4)
measurement of dietary intake.
• Techniques for measuring body composition of fat
and lean body mass include anthropometry and
bioelectric impedance analysis. Other techniques,
including dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), hydro
densitometry, total body potassium measurement,
and cross-sectional computed tomography or
magnetic resonance imaging are available in
research centers. Anthropometry, including waist-
hip ratios, regional DXA and cross –sectional
imaging is best for detecting morphologic changes
associated with fat distribution syndrome.
NACS USER’s GUIDE
MODULE
• WHAT IS NUTRITION ASSESSMENT?
• Nutrition assessment includes taking
anthropometric measurements and collecting
information about the client’s medical history,
clinical and biochemical characteristics, dietary
practices, current treatment, and food security
situation.
WHY IS NUTRITIONAL
ASSESSMENT IMPORTANT
• Optimal Nutritional Status- the state of the body
with respect to each nutrient and overall body
weight and condition- is a powerful factor in
promoting health and preventing and treating
diseases. Weight loss of more than 10 % is
associated with prolonged hospitalization, while 35
% has been associated with death.
• Other reasons:
• To identify people at risk of malnutrition for early
intervention and referral
• To identify malnourished clients for treatment- if
not treated early have longer hospital days, slower
recovery from infection, and complications and
higher morbidity and mortality.
• To track child growth
• To identify medical complications that affect the
body’s ability to digest food and utilize nutrients.
• To detect practices that can increase the risk of
malnutrition and infection.
• To inform nutrition education and counselling.
• To establish appropriate nutrition care plans.
WHAT IS NUTRITION
SCREENING
• Assessment can be preceded by rapid and simple
identification of people who may be malnourished
or at risk.
• Nutritionists and trained facility-based health care
providers or community service providers can do
nutrition screening in health care facilities, during
growth monitoring or home based care, during
support group meetings. Checking for bilateral
edema, weight, mid-upper arm circumference
(MUAC) and asking about recent illness and appetite.
• NEEDS:
• Standardized training in line with local and national
health policy
• Training materials by low literacy/ illiterate
populations
• Government approved recording and referral
materials
• Clear guidance on provider roles, whom to screen,
how & how often.
• Incentives to do accurate and consistent
community nutrition screening and make referrals.
PRIORITY SCREENING
TARGETS BY HCARE
PROVIDERS
• Children below 2 yrs. Old, esp. if not breastfed
• Pregnant women and up to 6 mos. Postpartum
• People who report unintentional weight loss
• People who have been prescribed food products to
treat malnutrition
• People with disease-related symptoms that can be
managed thru diet
• People with HIV, tuberculosis or other chronic
diseases
HOW OFTEN IS NUTRITION
DONE TO TARGETS
RECOMMENDED:
Pregnant/post partum women- every antenatal visit
0- 6 months Infants-at birth and on scheduled post natal
visit
6-59months Infants- during monthly growth monitoring
sessions for children under 2 and every three months for
older children.
Children 5 yrs. and over- every clinic visit
Adolescents and adults- every clinic visit
People with HIV- clinic visits and when initiating
antiretroviral therapy (ART)
TYPES OF NUTRITIONAL
ASSESSMENT
• ANTHROPOMETRIC MEASUREMENT
• Weight, Height, MUAC, Head circumference and skinfold
• BMI-body mass index
• Weight- pre requisite for finding weight-for-height z-
score for children and BMI for adults. Unintentional
weight loss can mean poor health and reduced ability to
fight infection. Accurate weight measurement is very
important.
• Low pregnancy weight and inadequate weight gain during
pregnancy are the most predictors of intrauterine growth
retardation and low birth weight.
• Recommended Pre pregnancy BMI
Pre- pregnancy nutritional Pre-pregnancy BMI
status
Underweight Less than 18.5
Normal weight 18.5- 24.9
Overweight 25.0-29.9
Obese 30 or more