Define drawbacks of Nutritional status that assessed traditionally?
Nutritional status assessed traditionally with the use of anthropometric, biochemical clinical and dietary analysis has drawbacks. These include:
- Data for elders is compared with normal values for younger persons.
- Physical condition of elders makes some measurements difficult.
- RDA's for those over 50 years of age not available.
- Nutrient deficiency signs and symptoms are inappropriately attributed to normal aging.
Nutritional screening programmes, therefore, have been designed to assess for presence of malnutrition and some of the causes.