Clinical assessment of nutritional status: a working manual

Article Abstract:

Clinical assessment of a patient's nutritional status requires obtaining information regarding the personal dietary habits of the individual. This assessment is made by comparing actual nutrient intake (based on food records kept by the patient) with the patient's nutrient needs based on factors such as age and sex. It is also important to obtain physical measurements (anthropometry), and biochemical, clinical, and other measures of the patient's health status. Tools for nutritional assessment include forms and procedures for recording the patient's nutritional habits by the use of simple 24-hour and seven-day food diaries. The advantages of these and other data collecting methods are discussed. Once the information is obtained, regardless of the method, the chiropractor must make a clinical judgement regarding the value and sufficiency of the patient's diet. This requires an assessment of the diet by food groups in order to evaluate the level of nutrition and to identify possible dietary deficiencies. Recently, computer programs have become available which allow the clinician to calculate the nutrient content of the foods eaten by the patient. Although there is as yet no perfect system for dietary evaluation, there are now a number of useful computer programs to assist the health-care professional in evaluating patients' diets. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Nutritional assessment, Diet, Health status indicators

---

Nutrition and your health: dietary guidelines for Americans

Article Abstract:

Although the life expectancy, body size and seeming good health of Americans indicates that the typical diet is adequate, numerous health reports indicate that we should change our dietary habits. But is there an 'ideal diet'? Individuals of different age, sex, level of physical activity, physiologic state (such as pregnant versus nonpregnant), and body size require different amounts of nutrients. This article includes dietary guidelines for Americans, who are being encouraged to eat a variety of foods that provide all essential nutrients with an amount of calories that maintains proper body weight. In general, individuals should maintain their weight while reducing the levels of total fat, saturated fat and cholesterol in the diet. Similarly, too much sugar, sodium (salt), and alcohol consumption are to be avoided. An adequate diet provides all necessary nutrients while avoiding obesity. This is important because obesity has been associated with hypertension (elevated blood pressure), high levels of blood lipids (cholesterol and triglycerides), stroke, diabetes, and some types of cancer. No specific nutrition plan can guarantee health, but healthy eating can be helpful in maximizing well-being. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Hypertension, Prevention, Reducing diets, Stroke (Disease), Stroke, Cancer, Cancer prevention, Blood lipids, Food habits

---

Finding good sources of nutrients

Article Abstract:

Physical well-being and good nutrition are strongly related to obtaining an adequate amount of essential nutrients in foods that contain the right number of calories for the individual. Good sources of a nutrient are those foods which provide at least 10 percent of the United States Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for the nutrient in a single serving. Recent studies by the United States Department of Agriculture indicate that many Americans are not obtaining sufficient quantities of vitamin B-6, calcium, iron, magnesium and zinc. This article includes a definition and good food sources for the vitamins A, E, C, B-6, B-12, folate, thiamin, riboflavin, and niacin. Minerals which are similarly covered are calcium, iron, magnesium, copper, zinc, and phosphorous. Sources of complex carbohydrates and dietary fiber are also discussed. Maintaining a healthy body weight is seen as critical. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Reports, Minerals in nutrition, Vitamins in human nutrition, Minerals (Nutrients), Human nutrition, Vitamins

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Surgical treatment of brain metastases in malignant melanoma. Cardiac metastases
• Abstracts: Clinical prognostic factors in patients with posterior uveal malignant melanoma
• Abstracts: Cerebral metastases as first symptom of bronchogenic carcinoma: a prospective study of 37 cases. The applications of imaging in lung cancer
• Abstracts: Cellular schwannoma: a clinicopathologic study of 57 patients and 58 tumors
• Abstracts: Informed consent: does doctrine apply to HIV, amalgam, fluoride? When your patients ask about mercury in amalgam

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.