Nutritional Assessment Using 24 Hour Dietary Recall Method, Anthropometry and Clinical Assessment among Young Adults Studying in a Private Medical College, Thrissur, Kerala

Abstract

Introduction: The three common methods for assessment of nutritional status are 24 hour dietary recall

method, anthropometry and clinical assessment.Objectives: To assess the nutritional status of young adults

using 24 hour dietary recall method, anthropometric measurements and using clinical assessments and to

correlate between nutritional status obtained by these methods. Methodology: A cross sectional study was

conducted on all the students of an MBBS batch in a private medical college.There were 100 students in total

and each student was interviewed on 3 non-consecutive days(2 week days and 1 weekend day) in a dietary

cycle using questionnaire for nutritional assessment to collect data. Results: Males were 30% and females

70% in proportion, with a mean age the study population was 21.69 ranging from 20 to 23. The mean of

required calories per day was 2741.79±528.65. 84% of study population was consuming above the required

calorie level and 16% were consuming below the required calorie level. The mean BMI was found to be

22.32±3.58 kg/m

2

.Body mass index of majority (51%) was found to be normal; 11% was underweight,20%

was overweight and 18% was obese according to modified Asian WHO classification. Waist hip ratio of

38% of total study population was found to be above the limits. On examination no clinical sign of vitamin

or mineral deficiencies or excess were found in the study population.Average calorie intake was positively

correlated with body mass index. Pearson Correlation Coefficient(r) value was found to be 0.536 and p valve

was 0.0001.This was statistically significant. Conclusion: As average calorie intake estimated using 24 hour

dietary recall increased, body mass index increased.