What does nutritional screening aim to identify?

Nutritional screening is a systematic process used to identify individuals who may have nutritional risk factors or existing nutritional problems. This process is crucial in healthcare settings, such as hospitals or clinics, where early detection of these risks can lead to timely interventions, management of dietary needs, and prevention of malnutrition.

The focus of the screening is not on culinary skills or cooking expertise, as understanding how to prepare food does not necessarily correlate with an individual’s nutritional status or needs. Additionally, while dietary restrictions may be part of a person’s nutritional profile, they do not cover the full spectrum of potential nutritional risks that screening aims to address. By identifying individuals at nutritional risk or with existing problems, healthcare providers can implement tailored dietary plans to promote better health outcomes.