Nutritional Assessment

Question 1

sources of error

Answer 1

• source of error in all methods: change in eating & recall bias
• errors using dietary records: snacking discouraged, under-reporting
• errors in recall methods: overestimate & underestimate
• errors when using databases & apps: only estimates nutrient comp, data specific to country & substitute foods may need to be used

Question 2

gold standard

Answer 2

doubly labelled water method

Question 3

Higher nutritional requirements in athletes?

Answer 3

• may have higher carb & protein requirements
• possibly: iron (esp. vegs) & antioxidants (esp. strenuous & prolonged training)
• all other micronutrients unchanged

Question 4

why measure dietary intake?

Answer 4

• assess probability of inadequate nutrient intakes
• assess probability of inappropriate food choices
• identify risk-related dietary behaviours requiring intervention
• increase awareness of eating habits (may not always be appropriate)