Nutritional Status Quiz

Study Notes

Nutritional Status

Nutritional status is the physiologic state or condition of an individual based on the balance between nutrient intake and unique requirement.
Nutrient intake represents the amount of a nutrient absorbed into the body from foods, beverages, medications, and supplements consumed.

Factors Affecting Nutritional Status

Internal or constitutional factors: age, gender, nutrition, behavior, physical activity, and diseases.
Environmental factors: food safety, cultural, social, and economic circumstances.

Optimal Nutritional Status

Occurs when the supply of nutrients balances the requirements.
A powerful factor for health and well-being, promoting health, preventing and treating diseases, and improving quality of life.

Importance of Nutritional Status Assessment

Detects nutrient insufficiency or excess in the early stages, allowing for improved dietary intake and lifestyle through nutrition intervention.
Identifies individuals or population groups at risk of becoming malnourished or who are malnourished.
Develops health care programs that meet community needs defined by the assessment.
Measures the effectiveness of nutritional programs and interventions once initiated.

Types of Nutritional Assessment

Direct methods: deal with individuals, measuring objective criteria.
Indirect methods: use community indices reflecting community nutritional status/needs, including:
ABCD Methods
- Anthropometric methods.
- Biochemical (Lab) methods.
- Clinical methods.
- Dietary evaluation methods.
Indirect methods also include ecological variables, economic factors, cultural and social habits, and vital health statistics (morbidity, mortality, and other health indicators).

Description

Assess your knowledge of nutritional status, including nutrient intake, internal and external factors, and individual requirements. Learn how to determine an individual's physiologic state based on their nutrient balance.