The main reason to perform dietary recall is to? Please include resources used
A Diagnose anorexia nervosa
B Help people understand their daily eating habits
C Monitor a person’s blood sugar levels
D Provide more accurate information to health care providers
The correct answer and explanation is :
The correct answer is B. Help people understand their daily eating habits.
Explanation:
Dietary recall is a tool used by healthcare professionals, including dietitians and nutritionists, to gather information about a person’s eating habits. The process involves asking a person to recall everything they have eaten and drunk over a specific period (usually 24 hours or over several days). This method is often used to help individuals better understand their diet and identify areas that might require changes. Here’s a detailed explanation of how it works and its purpose:
- Assessment of Eating Habits: The primary purpose of dietary recall is to understand an individual’s typical eating habits. This includes the types and quantities of foods consumed, eating patterns (e.g., frequency of meals, snacks), and food preferences. By reviewing this information, individuals can see where they may be consuming unhealthy foods or lacking certain nutrients. It serves as an educational tool for the individual to understand their diet in a structured way.
- Guiding Dietary Changes: Healthcare providers can use the recall information to provide tailored recommendations for improving the person’s nutrition. For example, they might suggest increasing fiber intake, reducing sodium, or adding more fruits and vegetables based on what the person typically eats.
- Awareness and Self-monitoring: One of the critical benefits of dietary recall is that it raises awareness about dietary choices. Many individuals may not realize how their food choices affect their health. This tool helps highlight areas for improvement, leading to better self-management and healthier eating behaviors.
- Not Primarily for Diagnosing Medical Conditions: While dietary recall can be useful in monitoring conditions such as diabetes (by observing food intake and blood sugar levels), it is not typically used as a diagnostic tool for conditions like anorexia nervosa or for directly measuring blood sugar levels. These require more specific clinical assessments and testing.
Conclusion:
Dietary recall is a powerful method for helping individuals understand their eating habits and make informed decisions about their nutrition. It facilitates self-awareness, education, and behavior change, leading to healthier dietary patterns and better overall health outcomes.
Resources:
- National Institutes of Health (NIH). (2022). Dietary Assessment Tools.
- Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. (2021). Using Dietary Recall in Nutrition Counseling.