Q1. Best method to assess malnutrition in adults:
- MUAC
- Skin fold
- Hb level
- Chest circumference
Show answer and explanation
Answer: B. Skin fold
Hb level: Hemoglobin levels are useful for diagnosing anemia, which may indicate malnutrition but do not provide a comprehensive assessment of nutritional status.
Skin fold: Skinfold thickness measures subcutaneous fat and provides an assessment of energy reserves in the body. It is an effective method for evaluating malnutrition, especially when combined with
other indicators.
MUAC: Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) is a useful tool for malnutrition assessment but is more commonly applied in resource-limited settings or emergencies.
Chest circumference: This is typically used for assessing growth in infants and young children and is not suitable for evaluating malnutrition in adults.