Question

Nutritional assessment of an individual involves obtaining information on which of the following parameters?
(A) Anthropometric measurements
(B) Dietary assessment
(C) Clinical examination
(D) Biochemical laboratory analysis
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

• A. (A), (B) and (D) only
• B. (A), (B) and (C) only
• C. (A), (B), (C) and (D)
• D. (B), (C) and (D) only

Hint:

Use the "ABCD" mnemonic to remember the four pillars of nutritional assessment: Anthropometric, Biochemical, Clinical, and Dietary.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The question asks for the components of a comprehensive nutritional assessment. A standard and thorough assessment relies on multiple types of data to get a complete picture.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The universally accepted methods for a comprehensive nutritional assessment are often remembered by the mnemonic "ABCD":


(A) Anthropometric measurements: These are measurements of the physical dimensions of the body, such as height, weight, body mass index (BMI), skinfold thickness, and circumference of various body parts.

(B) Dietary assessment: This involves evaluating a person's food intake through methods like 24-hour dietary recall, food frequency questionnaires, or diet histories to assess nutrient consumption.

(C) Clinical examination: This is a physical examination by a healthcare professional to look for signs and symptoms of malnutrition, such as edema, hair loss, skin rashes, or changes in the eyes and nails.

(D) Biochemical laboratory analysis: This includes laboratory tests on samples of blood, urine, or tissues to measure levels of specific nutrients, their metabolites, or functions dependent on a nutrient (e.g., hemoglobin for iron status).

All four components are crucial for a complete and accurate assessment.
Step 3: Final Answer:
A comprehensive nutritional assessment involves all four parameters: Anthropometric, Biochemical (listed as D), Clinical, and Dietary (listed as B). Therefore, the correct option includes (A), (B), (C), and (D).