ANWSER
Question 1:
a) Define the following:
i. Malnutrition – A condition that results from eating a diet in which nutrients are either not enough or too much, causing health problems.
ii. Wasting – A form of malnutrition characterized by low weight-for-height; it usually indicates acute malnutrition.
iii. Stunting – Chronic malnutrition reflected by low height-for-age; a sign of long-term nutritional deprivation.
iv. Underweight – A condition where a person’s weight is too low for their age, which could be due to stunting, wasting, or both.
v. Double burden of malnutrition – The coexistence of undernutrition (wasting, stunting) and overnutrition (obesity, diet-related non-communicable diseases) within the same population, household, or individual.
(5 Marks)
b) Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the various dietary assessment methods:
Advantages:
- 24-hour recall: Quick, inexpensive, low burden on respondent.
- Food frequency questionnaire (FFQ): Assesses long-term dietary patterns.
- Food diary: Provides detailed intake over several days.
- Weighed food record: Most accurate for measuring intake.
Disadvantages:
- 24-hour recall: Relies on memory, may not represent usual intake.
- FFQ: Subject to recall bias, may lack cultural specificity.
- Food diary: High burden, may change eating habits.
- Weighed record: Time-consuming and impractical in large studies.
(10 Marks)
c) What are the importance of nutrition assessment?
- Identifies individuals at risk of malnutrition.
- Provides baseline data for planning interventions.
- Helps monitor the effectiveness of nutrition programs.
- Aids in diagnosing nutrition-related diseases.
- Supports policy development and resource allocation.
(5 Marks)
Question 2:
a) What is growth monitoring? Why monitor children’s growth?
Growth monitoring is the routine measurement of a child’s growth (weight and height) over time to assess their health and nutritional status.
Why monitor?
- Detects early signs of malnutrition or illness.
- Helps track the effectiveness of feeding programs.
- Informs caregivers about child health.
- Encourages timely medical/nutritional intervention.
(5 Marks)
b) Larry is a 36-year-old male who came to the health clinic to complain of fatigue. His height is 1.60m and weight is 80kg.
i) Compute Larry’s BMI:
BMI=Weight (kg)Height (m)2=801.602=802.56≈31.25\text{BMI} = \frac{\text{Weight (kg)}}{\text{Height (m)}^2} = \frac{80}{1.60^2} = \frac{80}{2.56} \approx 31.25
ii) What classification does he belong?
According to WHO BMI classification:
Obese Class I (BMI 30.0 – 34.9)
iii) What dietary recommendations will you give him?
- Reduce intake of saturated fats and sugar.
- Increase consumption of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
- Engage in regular physical activity.
- Reduce portion sizes.
- Stay hydrated and avoid sugary drinks.
- Seek regular medical and dietary check-ups.
(10 Marks)
c) What are the common measurements used in nutritional anthropometry?
- Weight
- Height/length
- Mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC)
- Skinfold thickness
- Head circumference (for infants)
(5 Marks)
Question 3:
a) Highlight five importance of food consumption survey:
- Determines population dietary habits.
- Assesses nutrient intake and deficiencies.
- Informs policy and food fortification programs.
- Evaluates food security and affordability.
- Supports research on diet-disease relationships.
(5 Marks)
b) Write short note on the immediate and underlying causes of malnutrition:
Immediate causes:
- Inadequate dietary intake
- Disease (e.g., diarrhea, infections)
Underlying causes:
- Food insecurity
- Poor maternal and child care practices
- Inadequate health services
- Unhealthy environment (e.g., lack of clean water)
(5 Marks)
c) Explain the steps involved in planning a food consumption survey:
- Define objectives and target population
- Select appropriate survey method (e.g., 24-hour recall)
- Design the questionnaire and sampling strategy
- Train enumerators/data collectors
- Conduct pilot testing
- Carry out the survey
- Analyze data
- Report findings and make recommendations
(10 Marks)
Question 4:
a) Highlight five objectives of a nutrition surveillance system:
- Monitor trends in malnutrition
- Detect and respond to nutritional emergencies
- Guide planning and policy
- Evaluate effectiveness of interventions
- Provide early warning for food crises
(5 Marks)
b) Explain the components of nutrition surveillance:
- Data collection tools (surveys, anthropometry)
- Target population (children, women, general population)
- Indicators (stunting, wasting, dietary intake)
- Analysis and interpretation methods
- Reporting and feedback mechanisms
- Response and action based on findings
(10 Marks)
c) What is the importance of food composition table to the field of nutrition?
- Helps estimate nutrient intake from foods
- Assists in menu planning and diet formulation
- Essential for research and dietary assessment
- Supports public health nutrition strategies
- Useful for food labeling and regulation
(5 Marks)