Evaluation of nutritional status.

Most of the methods used for nutritional assessment provide information regarding body composition abnormalities. In addition to clinical evaluation, straight-forward physical measurements (such as body weight, anthropometric measures) and biochemical or immunological determinations are used. Sophisticated laboratory measurements are, at present, useful primarily for research purposes. Based on the results of nutritional assessment, a diagnosis as to type of malnutrition (and its treatment) may be made. Nutritional assessment criteria are also used to evaluate the effectiveness of nutritional support.