In this final assessment activity, you will conduct a dietary assessment on either yourself or an individual at different life stages (child, adolescent, senior). You will be required to do 3 assessments over the course of 1-2 weeks. Then, using the tool ASA24, you will analyze the data collected. Finally, after comparing the data with the average necessary intake, you should investigate using strategies and messages to improve the nutrition status of the evaluated person.

Step 1: Record 

Over the course of 1-2 weeks, enter 3 records of the daily food and beverage intake of the individual you’ve selected. Each record will be for 2-3 consecutive days. Be sure to note the life stage of the individual and any health issues/requirements that may affect their diet. 

Step 2: Analyze and Compare

Once you have all the necessary data, use ASA24 to analyze the nutrition status of the individual. If needed, you can access tool demonstrations/instructions here and at this link.

Compare the nutrition status of the individual to that of the average status (of the same life stage and with any health issues/requirements accounted for).

Step 3: Write

Write a 500-700 word report summarizing your findings. In your report, you should:

• Provide a brief background of the individual:
• Life stage and age 
• Level of fitness and activity
• Any health issues/dietary requirements 

• Summarize the data 
• What are the nutrients most consumed?
• What are the nutrients least consumed?
• What is the nutritional status?
• Does the individual meet the average/recommended status for a person of their category?

After your assessment has been completed, you will recommend any dietary changes necessary for the individual and apply strategies and education messages to promote and improve the individual’s nutrition status. 

• Based on the individual’s report, which aspect(s) of their diet should be improved?
• Provide a justification for your recommendation.
• Suggest ways in which the individual can achieve the recommended changes.
• What should they add to their diet and why?
• What should be removed from their diet and why?
• Provide justification for each recommendation.
• Which health promotion strategy/strategies will you apply to help improve the nutrition status of the individual? Be sure to include reasons for your choices.
• Write an educational message to the individual to motivate them to take measures to improve their health status. 

Step 4: Share

To share your work, click on the “Add a new discussion topic” button under this post and paste your work in the “Message” box. Make sure that you have addressed all the required information. Please ensure to reference others’ intellectual property when necessary. All references should follow 7th Edition APA formatting. For further instructions, see the resource on the Himmelfarb Health Sciences Library: APA citation resource (N.B. references are excluded from word counts).

Step 5: Interact

Evaluate and categorize the work from one of your peers based on items A - E of this rubric. Provide a rationale for the grade you provided, as well as comments or suggestions for improvement. To post a reply, click “Reply” on a particular discussion, write your feedback and then click on “Post to forum.” You can use the list below as an example:

Item A is  .…. because….  My suggestions for improvement are….
Item B is  .…. because….  My suggestions for improvement are….
Item C is  .…. because….  My suggestions for improvement are….
Item D is  .…. because….  My suggestions for improvement are….
Item E is  .…. because….  My suggestions for improvement are….

OPTIONAL Step 6: Interact (10 minutes)

If you would like to, you can reply to your peers' posts in a respectful and professional manner. Ensure that your post engages your peers' ideas by including a reflection on their comments, sharing ideas of other potential difficulties and parties involved, or asking thought-provoking questions. If a peer comments on your posting, please reply. To post a reply, click “Reply” on a particular discussion, write your feedback and then click on “Post to forum.”