Methods of assessing the nutritional status of children and pregnant women

Nutrition is assessed by the following methods; clinical method, dietary diet method, anthropometric method and biochemical (laboratory). It is used to determine, observe and examine the nutritional status of an individual or to determine whether a person or a group of people are well nourished or malnourished (over nourished or under nourished).

Method of assessing children

Clinical method

It is the act of observing clinical features that the person have e.g. skin colour, condition, eye, colour, hair colour. It involves checking signs of deficiency at specific places on the human body or asking the patient whether they have any symptoms that might suggest nutrition deficiency (e.g. oedema, Bitot spot in the eye, Goitre i.e. swollen neck).

Dietary diet method

This includes looking at past or current intakes of nutrients from food by individuals or group to determine their nutritional status. One can ask what the child or family have eaten over the 24 hours and use this data to calculate the dietary diversity score (number of food groups consumed over a reference period, usually 24 hours).

Anthropometric method

The techniques involved are length, height, weight and head circumference.

1. Length: A wooden measuring board also called sliding board is used for measuring the length of children under two (2) years old to the nearest millimeter. The Measurement is carried out when the child lying down its readings is greater than the child’s actual height by 1-2 cm.
2. Height: This is measured with the child or adult in a standing position (usually children who are two years old or more). The head should be in the Frankfurt position (a position where the line passing from the external ear hole to the lower eye lid is parallel to the floor) during measurement, and the shoulders, buttocks and the heels should touch the vertical stand.
3. Weight: A weighing sling (spring balance), also called the ‘Salter Scale’ is used for measuring the weight of children under two years old, to the nearest 0.1 kg
4. Mid upper arm circumference (MUAC): It is used in measuring the mid arm of children to determine or screen malnutrition among 2 – 5 years old. It makes use of shaker’s strip which has a colour range red, yellow and green. Red is at below 12.5 cm which shows the child is malnourished, yellow is at the range of 12.5cm – 13.5cm which shows average or still normal nourish and the green is at range of 13.5cm and above 14cm indicate the child is well nourished.
5. Head circumference (HC): Is the measurement of the head along the supra orbital ridge (forehead) anteriorly and occipital prominence (the prominent area on the back part of the head) posteriorly. It is measured to the nearest millimetre using flexible, non-stretchable measuring tape around 0.6cm wide.

Biochemical (laboratory) method

This is done by testing some body fluid such as blood, urine, excreta and some part of the body e.g. nails, hair to determine the protein, fat, essential amino minerals or vitamins as requested by the paediatrician or the laboratory attendant. It appears to be one of the reliable techniques in assessing nutritional status of a child, but it requires expensive tools and highly trained technologist or laboratory technologist.

Method of assessing pregnant women

There are four method of evaluating or assessing the nutritional status of pregnant women. These methods are biochemical, clinical assessment, dietary and anthropometric

Biomedical method

It helps to detect iron deficiency anaemia during pregnancy which is very common among the rural area. The pregnant women are advised to take food that contain calcium, ascorbic acid, vitamin B complex (ciacin, thiamine, colabamin, riboflavin, folic acid).

Clinical method

Is to determine the pregnant woman blood level but it has an implication which most times reflect normal physiologic changes that occur in pregnancy rather than a state of nutrient deficiency.

Dietary method

It is determined by kind of food the pregnant women take during 24 hours. If it does not matches with what will boost her nutritional status, she is advised by health practitioners to consider other foods that contains the adequate diet (six classes of food) more especially iron.

Anthropometric method

The measurement is done by MUAC. This is done by non-stretched fibre tape which helps in screening for malnourished pregnant women. Whenever the MUAC of any pregnant women is below or equal to 23cm. Such person should be regarded as at risk and there is need for medical check up. And also pregnant women undergo routine weighing to enable them to the adequate gains during pregnancy.

Locally available food stuff in the rural community based on names, nutritive values, preparation