Nutritional Status Assessment I

Code:

CN22007

Acronym:

MAENI

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Natural Sciences
OFICIAL	Health Sciences

Instance: 2013/2014 - 2S

Active?	Yes
Web Page:	http://moodle.up.pt/course/view.php?id=2899
Course/CS Responsible:	Nutrition Sciences

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
CNUP	107	Plano oficial	2	-	3	35	81

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

The ability to perform a valid and reliable nutritional status assessment is of growing relevance, as it is directly related to an increase in the knowledge of the relation between nutrition and health. The last few decades has seen a notable development in the role and tasks of nutritionists in individual nutritional assessment.

Nutritionists have moved on from an era in where they collaborated with other health professionals and they are now more autonomous in the development of all procedures related to obtaining and managing information on nutritional status and passing professional judgments. Similarly, the exponential advances in the science of nutrition, has led to the need for advanced training in this area. These new challenges involve the acquisition of skills in the assessment of nutritional status, which include not only concepts and techniques, but also the accuracy of measurements and ethical conduct. The link between scientific and technological advances, with the acquisition of skills and a professional attitude, gives us a remarkable opportunity to improve quality and efficiency in the assessment of nutritional status. Students will gain knowledge and skills during practical workshops on nutritional status assessment The most frequently used methods and practices will be addressed, so that future professionals will be prepared to work in different ways.

Learning outcomes and competences

 

• To understand the relevance of the nutritional status assessment.

• To be familiar with the materials and methods used in the evaluation of nutritional status.

• To choose the most appropriate methodology to each individual.

• To know how to evaluate and interpret the results of different methods and integrate this information into a judgment on the nutritional status of the individual.

 

Working method

Presencial

Program

1. Presentation of the course unit, the program of work and methods of teaching and assessment.

2. Anthropometry:

a. The individual and ethical issues;

b. The anatomical sites of measurement;

c. Equipment;

d. Techniques;

e. Errors;

f. Calculation of derived indices;

g. The interpretation of results and the reference anthropometric data;

h. Assessment of groups with special needs: people with reduced functional capacity, children, pregnant women and older adults.

 

3. Clinical indicators. Physical examination focused on nutrition.

4. Laboratory indicators.

5. Indices of screening and assessment of nutritional status.

6. Techniques for assessing body composition.

7. Functional evaluation.

8. Multidisciplinary work and interaction with other professionals.

 

Mandatory literature

Arthur D. Stewart 070; International standards for anthropometric assessment. ISBN: 0-620-36207-3
Lee Robert D.; Nutritional assessment. ISBN: 978-0-07-125426-7

Complementary Bibliography

Frisancho A. Roberto; Anthropometric standards. ISBN: 978-0-472-11591-4
Heymsfield Steven B. 340; Human body composition. ISBN: 0-7360-4655-0

Teaching methods and learning activities

The base of theoretical teaching is the exposure of subjects to the students. They are invited to answer questions and express and justify their opinion. Students are encouraged to contribute and their creativity is stimulated. Activities with "hands-on" practical work and intensive training will take place so that students can handle the equipment, recognition of signs and symptoms of changes in nutritional status and the most appropriate methodological option. Strategies for enriching the study: 1. The evaluation of nutritional status in older adults in the community.

2. Students will be encouraged to practice the assessment of nutritional status outside of class, with the help of the lecturer.

3. Class slides are placed on the website of the curricular unit;

4. A tutorial period is assigned to students;

5. Students are invited to attend conferences, Masters or PhD discussions on relevant themes. A discussion on the topic takes place in the next lecture.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Exame	50,00
Participação presencial	0,00
Teste	25,00
Trabalho laboratorial	25,00
Total:	100,00

Eligibility for exams

Distributed Assessment (DA) and Final Examination (FE), it is necessary to obtain the minimum score of 50% in each. To pass the level, students may not miss more than a third of the planned laboratory classes and need to obtain at least 50% of the classification of DA.

Calculation formula of final grade

The calculation of the Final Mark (FM) 20 marks includes mark of 10 DA (minimum score of 5) and a mark of 10 FE (minimum score of 5) FM = DA + FE 

Examinations or Special Assignments

Distributed Evaluation (DA) is the completion of a mini-test, with the score of 5 + a Laboratory Test - proof of completion of practical assessment of nutritional status, with a score of 5.

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

To pass the curricular unit the attendance of lab classes and Distributed Assessment is mandatory. 

Classification improvement

As for Special Assessment Students