Nutritional Assessment and Nutritional Status
What this domain tests
Nutritional assessment determines nutritional status using anthropometry, biochemical tests, clinical examination and dietary assessment, often remembered as ABCD, with ecological factors added. The exam tests methods, indicators and interpretation.
Core rules
- Anthropometry includes weight, height, BMI, waist circumference, mid-upper arm circumference and skinfold thickness.
- BMI = weight (kg) divided by height squared (m²). Asian Indian cut-offs are overweight 23–24.9 and obesity ≥25.
- Biochemical tests include haemoglobin, serum albumin, serum ferritin and urinary iodine.
- Clinical examination looks for signs such as pallor, oedema, Bitot’s spots, goitre and angular stomatitis.
- Dietary assessment uses 24-hour recall, food frequency questionnaire, weighed food record and diet history.
Worked example
A woman is 1.60 m tall and weighs 64 kg. BMI = 64 ÷ (1.60 × 1.60) = 64 ÷ 2.56 = 25.0. Reasoning: using the Asian Indian classification, 25.0 falls in the obesity range, not merely overweight. This matters because South Asians develop metabolic risk at lower BMI. The next step is waist circumference and blood pressure or glucose screening, not just a weight-loss diet.
Traps that cost marks
- Using WHO international cut-offs when the question asks for Asian Indian cut-offs.
- Calculating BMI with height in centimetres instead of metres.
- Treating BMI as valid in oedema, pregnancy or heavily muscled athletes.
- Relying on a single day’s 24-hour recall as a complete diet history.