Nutritional assessment involves analyzing anthropometric, biochemical, clinical and dietary data to determine a person's nutritional status. It aims to assess nutritional status, identify body nutrient needs, and recognize health issues related to nutrition. The assessment consists of gathering dietary history, conducting a physical exam, and reviewing laboratory tests. The physical exam includes anthropometric measurements like height, weight and BMI. Laboratory tests examine albumin, hemoglobin and other biochemical indicators. Comparing well-nourished and malnourished individuals identifies key differences in physical and mental characteristics.

2. Nutritional Assessment:
is the analysis of anthropometric,
biochemical, clinical and dietary data to
determine the nutritional status of a
person or groups.

3. Purpose of Nutrition Assessment:
- To assess the nutritional status.
- To determine the body needs from
nutrition.

4. - To identify the health problems that
associated with nutrition status.
- Identifying individuals who are
malnourished or at nutritional risk.

5. Nutritional Assessment contents of the
following:-
a- Dietary history
b- Physical examination
c- Laboratory investigation

6. a- Dietary History and Intake
- Appetite and intake
- Taste changes
- Dentition
- Dysphagia

7. - Feeding independence
- Vitamin/mineral supplements
- Nausea and vomiting
- Swallowing ability

8. - Eating patterns
- Diet restrictions
- Ethnicity
- Eating away from home

9. b- Physical examination
1) Anthropometric measurement:
- Height
- Weight
- Weight changes
- Head, chest, and abdominal
circumference (children)

10. - Body Mass Index = BMI:
Evaluation of body weight independent of
height
BMI = weight (kg)/height2 (m)
- Underweight = <18.5
- Normal weight = 18.5–24.9
- Overweight = 25–29.9
- Obesity = BMI of 30 or greater

11. - Upper arm measurement
- Skin fold
- Fat folds and various body
circumferences and areas

12. 2) Clinical Examination:
Clinical signs
- blue half circles beneath eyes
- Edema
- Lesions at corner of mouth

14. - Poorly shaped bones or teeth, or delayed
appearance of teeth in children
- Slow clotting time of blood
- Unusual nervousness, dermatitis, diarrhea
in same client
- Tetany
- Goiter

15. c- Laboratory investigation

16. Common Biochemical Tests:
- Serum albumin level: Measures main
protein in blood
- Hemoglobin (Hgb)
- Red blood cells (RBCs)
- White blood cells (WBCs)

17. 1) Albumin
- Normal value 3.5-5.0 g/DL
- Most widely used indicator of nutritional
status
- Affected by volume: Increases with
dehydration, decreases with edema and
over hydration

18. 2) Prealbumin
- Normal value: 18-40 mg/DL
- Levels affected by trauma, acute
infections, liver and kidney disease;
highly sensitive to minor stress and
inflammation

19. 3) Hemoglobin
Normal levels are:
- Men: 13.8 to 18.0 g/dL
- Women: 12.1 to 15.1 g/dL)
- Children: 11 to 16 g/dL
- Pregnant women: 11 to 14 g/dL
- Dehydration or hyper hydration influence
hemoglobin levels

20. Comparison between people of good
nutrition and malnutrition:-
Example:
Good Nutrition = A
Mal Nutrition = B
A = Correct weight for height and age
B = Weight too much or too little

21. A = Strong Muscles.
B = Weak muscles.
A = Limbs straight.
B = Weak limbs.

22. A = Smooth mucous membranes, clear skin
B = Skin dry and rough mucous
membranes
A = Healthy bright eyes and clear sight
(Visual)
B = Eyes dull, night blindness poor Sight or
loss of sight.

23. A= Hearing good.
B = Poor hearing.
A = Breathing unobstructed.
B = Mouth breathing.
A = Teeth well formed, and free from
dental caries
B = Irregular teeth, dental caries; spongy
gums.

24. A = Tonsil clean and small Tonsils
B = Enlarged tonsil and often sore.
A = Straight posture in sitting, standing and
walking.
B = Round shouldered, twisted spine and
protruding abdomen.

25. A = Nerves steady; expression calm and
cheerful, quick to learn
B = Nervous, anxious, irritable and slow to
learn.

26. A = Plenty of energy
B = Tired and lethargic.
A = Good resistance to infections
B = Poor resistance to infections.

27. Thank