Title: Unit 7 Lesson
Course: Human Nutrition and Dietetics > Section: UNIT 7: NUTRITIONAL ASSESSMENT

Nutrition assessment identifies the specific nutritional issue that requires clinical intervention. It identifies the nutritional problem, the probable etiology of the problem and the signs/symptoms, the evidence that the problem exists. This unit  considers the various elements of performing a nutrition assessment.

Interestingly, in this unit, you will explore how to assess if an individual is overweight, underweight, or normal-weight .

In order to assess individuals, you need to do the following, :

• Take the anthropometric body measurements of 10 people around you and calculate their body mass index (BMI).

• Draft a standard survey instrument or clinical guide which you will use during your visit at the health centre in your vicinity.

• You will then write a capstone project report after the health centre visit

LEARNING RESOURCES & ACTIVITIES

1. Watch these videos on nutritional assessment

Video I - Nutritional Assessment Methods and techniques

Video II - Malnutrition - Severe Acute Malnutrition

2.   Read the lecture notes 1 , notes 2 and notes 3 and take notes for your personal use.

TASK 7.1

- Form working groups composed of five members – (Deliberations of the groups will test the interpersonal skills and team spirit expected of health workers at the workplace).
- Draft a standard survey instrument or clinical guide needed for interacting with the clients as you establish their nutritional status

TASK 7.2

- Take the weight, height, hip circumference, age and gender of 10 people in your class.
- Exchange your weight measurements with another group and classify yourselves using the Body Mass Index (BMI).
- Assess their nutritional status: are they underweight, overweight or of normal weight?

TASK 7.3

- Visit the nearest health centre/hospital for training placement which will be for a duration of 4 weeks
- During this session, your field/clinical supervisor will evaluate your professional knowledge and communication skills during interaction with patients

TASK 7.4 - Capstone Project

- In your groups, share your individual reflections on your field experience
- write a capstone project report which should indicate your application of the Nutrition Care Process.
- list the symptoms of the identified nutrition-related problems,
- your evaluation of how grave the nutritional status was and the recommendations made for the individual cases.
- Additionally, there should be a section on the highlights, challenges and recommendations

Notice

The capstone project report must be submitted to the faculty supervisor who will assess the report to establish your professional competencies/knowledge and identify the presence of soft skills like problem‐solving, critical analysis skills