Topic 1: Nutritional Assessment Flashcards
Explain the 24-hour dietary recall method
The purpose of this method is to obtain detailed information about all foods and beverages consumed on a given day. This involves a recall of food and beverage intake over the previous 24 hours. The information may be collected by interview or self-administered questionnaire. This type of recall is useful in an individual situation to establish a recent food pattern or in research situations where the mean intake of a large group is required.
Explain the diet history method
The purpose of this method is to obtain information about usual foods and beverages consumption over a period of months or a year. This is an interview to determine the usual food and beverage pattern of an individual over the previous months. The history involves a recall of the usual eating pattern and a crosscheck in the form of a detailed list of foods. Diet histories are frequently used with adults because the usual eating pattern is established and can be used as a basis for dietary modification.
Explain the food frequency questionnaire
The purpose of this method is to obtain frequency and, in some cases, portion size information about food and beverage consumption over a specified period of time, typically the past month or year. A food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) involves a self-administered questionnaire to ascertain how frequently common foods are consumed. The questionnaire is limited to selected foods and food quantity may be considered. An FFQ consists of a list of foods and beverages with response categories to indicate the usual frequency of consumption. The number of foods and beverages included in the questionnaires typically ranges from 80 to 120 items.
Explain the food record/diary method
The purpose is to obtain detailed information about all foods and beverages consumed over a period of one or more days. This involves clients recording current intake over a period of one to seven days. The food intake may be recorded based on weights, household measures or general description. Weighed records are generally only used in research. Records that only describe the types of food eaten do not provide any quantitative information but they require less time than the above methods and can be carried out over longer periods.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of the food record/diary method
Advantages:
- does not rely on individual memory and recall as the foods/drinks are recorded at the point of consumption
- provides weighed portion sizes and therefore does not rely on portion size estimation
- detailed descriptions of the foods consumed and all eating occasions are provided
Disadvantages:
- large respondent burden - individual completing it must be motivated, compliant, numerate, and literate
- individuals may alter his/her diet to make it easier to record or to conceal poor eating habits (reactivity bias)
- time-consuming and labor-intensive for researchers and is therefore costly in staff and time
What are the two ways data is collected in Australian nutritional surveys?
- detailed daily food consumption data are collected by a 24-hour recall
- food-related habits and attitudes, and physical measurements are collected via brief questionnaires
How is the AHS conducted?
Three different surveys are contained within the AHS. Each survey collected slightly different information.
- National Health Survey
- National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey (NNPAS)
- National Health Measures Survey
What are the reference standards we use when evaluating data from surveys?
- The Australian Dietary Guidelines
- Nutrient Reference Values for Australia and New Zealand
- Health organization recommendations: For example, the National Heart Foundation
Explain what the NRV’s are
The NRVs are guidelines to the intake of a range of essential macro and micronutrients directed towards the maintenance of good health. These reference standards can be used by health professionals to assess the likelihood of inadequate intake in individuals or groups.
What are the different types of NRV’s? There are 5.
- Estimated average requirement (EAR)
- Recommended dietary intake (RDI)
- Adequate intake (AI)
- Upper Level of intake (UL)
- Suggested dietary target (SDT)
Explain EAR
EAR is the median usual intake level estimated to meet the requirements of half the health individuals in a life stage/gender group.
Explain RDI
RDI is the average dietary intake level sufficient to meet the nutrient requirements of nearly all healthy individuals (97–98%) in a life stage/gender group.
Explain AI
Where an EAR (and therefore an RDI) for the nutrient cannot be determined because of limited or inconsistent data then an Adequate Intake (AI) is determined. AI can be used as a goal for individual intake but is based on observed or experimentally determined approximation or estimates of nutrient intake by a group (or groups) of apparently healthy people that are assumed to be adequate.
Explain UL
UL is the highest level of continuing daily nutrient intake likely to pose no adverse health effects in almost all individuals in the general population.
Explain SDT
A daily average intake from food and beverages for certain nutrients that that may help in the prevention of chronic disease. Average intake may be based on the mean or median depending on the nutrient and available data
