What should be evaluated alongside a patient's dietary intake to assess nutrition status?

Evaluating weight changes and laboratory values is essential for a comprehensive assessment of a patient's nutritional status. Weight changes can indicate malnutrition or overnutrition and help track a patient's dietary effectiveness over time. For example, unintentional weight loss may signal inadequate dietary intake, while significant weight gain could suggest overconsumption or dietary imbalances.

Laboratory values, including serum proteins, vitamins, and minerals, provide critical insights into the biochemical aspects of nutrition. These tests can reveal deficiencies or excesses that dietary assessments alone may not uncover. For example, low serum albumin might indicate malnutrition or chronic illness, while elevated glucose levels could signal issues with carbohydrate metabolism.

Analyzing both weight changes and laboratory values together gives a more rounded understanding of the patient's nutritional health, making them indispensable components of the overall evaluation process.