Diagnostic Tools to Evaluate Health and Diet

What is a diagnostic tool?

‘A scientific or mathematical tool used by doctors, dieticians, nutritionists, scientists and researchers to ascertain nutritional status and diagnose nutritional problems.’ (Magee and Oliver 2010)

Waist to Hip Ratio

Indicator of body fat distribution in adults

Waist measurement divided by hip measurement.

Less than 0.9 for menLess than 0.8 for womenThese waist measurements

are recommended for Caucasian men and Caucasian and Asian women.

Waist Circumference

A tool to indicate health risks.For men:

94cm or more = increased risk 102cm or more = greatly

increased riskFor women:

80cm or more = increased risk 88cm or more = greatly increased

risk

Waist Circumference

Health risks relate to the central distribution of body fat.

Increased central distribution of body fat is related to: Diabetes Hypertension High cholesterol Cardiovascular disease

Measure Up Campaign – Target Audience

Aims to: provide Australians with the tools and

understanding to make healthy lifestyle choices

to increase awareness of the link between chronic disease and lifestyle risk factors (poor nutrition, physical inactivity, unhealthy weight);

The campaign primarily targets 25-50 year olds who have children

The secondary target audience is 45-60 year olds

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yb_unTC6DDQ&feature=related

Swap it Don’t Stop It – Campaign Messages

Focused on promoting the simple, everyday changes people can make to get them on their way to a healthier lifestyle without losing all the things they love.

Healthy eating and getting active can help you lose centimetres and prevent or delay the onset of chronic disease.

You don’t have to stop it, just swap it. Swap big for small Swap often for sometimes Swap sitting for moving Swap watching for playing

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDYlw4vRMNE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FG8IAxHqtFo

Weight for height tables

Measure of body mass to height

Expressed as a percentage – normal range is 90%-110%

Many tools don’t allow for different frame sizes and body shapes

Caliper Body Fat Measurements

Must measure same sites, same pressure, at the same time of the day

To be accurate they must be conducted by a trained person (nutritionist, doctor)

Three measurements are taken from six sites and then averaged Sites include triceps, biceps,

subscapular, supraspinale, mid abdominal and medial calf

Body Mass Index (BMI)

BMI is a measure of weight for height.

BMI does not distinguish between weight due to fat or weight due to muscle. E.g. Athletes and Weightlifters

BMI data developed based on data from Anglo-Saxon background; thus, height, weight and fat distribution among different ethnic groups is not taken into account.

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mHeightkgweightBMI

BMI

Women Men

Underweight <18 <19

Healthy weight

19-24 20-25

Overweight 25-30 26-30

Obese >30 >30

Biochemical Tests

Haematological Tests Blood tests

Serum Iron, HDL Cholesterol, Triglycerides Tissue tests Urine tests

Immunology Studies The cells responsible for immune mechanisms and

antibody levels can be assessed. Malnutrition can impair immune status

For example, with protein and water soluble vitamin deficiencies antibody responses are suppressed. In turn, tissues are invaded by infective organisms.

Homework

Revise page 93 and complete Activity 12Complete the case study in Activity 13