Nutritional Assessment
Dietary Assessment
We use two approaches to gauge a persons dietary habits and identify rooms for improvement.
Typically before the first consultation we advocate the completion and return to us of a 7 day diet diary from the client. This is where we ask the client to record all foods and beverages consumed over a 7 day period (i.e. one week). In this way we can ascertatin dietary habits but also analyze this information in terms of nutrient composition, which can help to tailor advice and strategies for change.
At initial consultation the first incidence we clarify the completed diet diary and combine this with a detailed diet history of the client, which forms around a typical workday and non-work day and helps clarify dietary habits. This diet history incorporates questions on frequency of foods eating and portion sizes, and also highlights some aspects of lifestyle (e.g. working hours/occupation and recreational activity). From both the diet diary and the diet history a qualitative view of the diet can be gained which may form a basis of advice and goal setting.
These dietary assessment tools are just part of the nutritional counselling service which also explores reasons for change, motivations and barriers to change and agreeing of strategies.
We can also incorporate other measurements that can help us identify health status and monitor improvement in health over time. These include: anthropometry (e.g. weight, waist and hip), body composition measurement and fat distribution, physical fitness and strength, and metabolic responses to food.
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Body Composition Measurement (the BodPod)
What is it?
This machine is an accurate way of measuring body composition (what your body is made up of), specifically the proportion of fat to lean in the body. This is one of the most accurate ways of measuring and tracking weight-related health and forms a basis for sound advice on optimum nutrition and health. The results of this test can be used as a comparison with any future measurements you may want to have (e.g. before and after a weight loss regime or training schedule).
What does it involve?
- To get a standardised measurement, we require that you be fasted before your measurement. This means nothing to eat for 4 hours prior to testing
- The machine works out body composition by accurately measuring the volume of your body. For an accurate measurement of volume you have to be in minimum clothing during the measurement, i.e. underwear or swimming costume.
- The test itself involves measurements of height and weight, followed by you sitting inside a closed chamber for two bouts of 50 seconds (see below). Inside the chamber you do not have to do anything apart from sit still and breath normally. An entire test takes approximately 10-15 minutes and we undertake 2 complete tests per person, so you need to allow 20-30 minutes for testing.
- At the end of the test, the BODPOD calculates your fat mass and your fat-free mass (lean tissue), and you the results are explained to you. You will also get out a print out of the results to take away with you for your records
Is there any discomfort, potential harm?
No, the test is designed to be as non-invasive as possible and has absolutely no health risks or side effects. Those individuals who suffer very acutely from claustrophobia may find the test uncomfortable although the time required in the chamber is very short (50 seconds).
What happens to the information?
All individual information will remain strictly confidential. All personal data will be held securely and will be stored in accordance with the Data Protection Act.
Where do I get it done?
The BODPOD is housed at the British College of Osteopathic medicine in West Hampstead (see address below). Opposite Finchley Road tube station (Metropolitan and Jubilee Line).
Remember, when considering the suitability of an appointment that:
- You need to be fasted a minimum of 4 hours before measurements
- You need to be in minimum clothing during measurement
Biochemical diagnostics
In some cases we suggest the use of blood tests to help with nutritional assessment, as such, Nutriffic also has an affiliation with MediChecks professional diagnostic service, based throughout London and the UK. With their numorous professional walk-in centres, appointments can be arranged within a few hours and results returned within 24 hours in many cases. As part of our services here at Nutriffic, if we feel it appropriate we would advocate visiting MediChecks after the initial consultation and then discuss the results with you at your next visit. Examples of the tests we may advocate are (click on links for more details on tests):
For more information or to book a diagnostic appointment click on the link below
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