Which assessment tool gathers information about eating patterns and medications through an interview or questionnaire?

• A. Diet History
• B. Anthropometric Assessment
• C. Biochemical Assessment
• D. Clinical Assessment

Answer: (A)

Gathers information about eating patterns and medications through an interview or questionnaire is best captured by the Diet History. This assessment is designed to elicit a person’s habitual intake over a period of time, including what foods are typically eaten, portion sizes, meal and snack patterns, and the use of medications or supplements that can influence nutrient status or appetite. It uses structured questions or interviews to build a picture of long-term eating habits, rather than focusing on a single day of intake.

In contrast, anthropometric assessment looks at body measurements like weight, height, BMI, and skinfolds to gauge physical status; biochemical assessment relies on laboratory tests to measure nutrient levels or functional markers; and clinical assessment examines physical signs and symptoms of malnutrition. These latter methods provide different kinds of information and do not primarily document eating patterns and medication use through an interview.