A nutrition assessment is an in-depth evaluation of both objective and subjective data related to an individual's food and nutrient intake, lifestyle, and medical history. Once the data on an individual is collected and organized, the practitioner can assessand evaluate the nutritional status of that person. An easy way to remember types of nutrition assessment is ABCD: Anthropometric, biochemical, clinical, and dietary. Anthropometry is the measurement of the size, weight, and proportions of the body. Common anthropometric measurements include weight, height, MUAC, head circumference, and skin fold. The purpose of nutrition assessment is to obtain, verify, and interpret data needed to identify nutrition-related problems, their causes, and significance. It is an ongoing, nonlinear and dynamic process that involves data collection and continual analysis of the patient/client's status compared to specified criteria. The NCP includes four steps: Nutrition Assessment, Nutrition Diagnosis, Nutrition Intervention, and Nutrition Monitoring and Evaluation. 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.
