Assessment of growth status in Saudi hospitals. The use for anthropometric approach and the need to sustain the practice
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/WJSTSD-01-2016-0006 |
| Published date | 04 April 2016 |
| Pages | 143-151 |
| Date | 04 April 2016 |
| Author | Elham Abbas Aljaaly,Nahlaa Khalifa |
| Subject Matter | Public policy & environmental management,Environmental technology & innovation |
Assessment of growth
status in Saudi hospitals
The use for anthropometric approach
and the need to sustain the practice
Elham Abbas Aljaaly and Nahlaa Khalifa
Department of Clinical Nutrition, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences,
King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Abstract
Purpose –The purpose of this paper is to examine the quality and sustainability of dietetic practice in
the scope of anthropometry for adolescents at Jeddah hospitals care setting.
Design/methodology/approach –An evaluation survey to define and critic dietetic practice
concerning anthropometric assessment for adolescent group in Jeddah governmental and private
operating hospitals with bed capacity of more than 150 beds and has at least four employed dietitians.
Findings –Only 10 percent of dietitians in Jeddah hospitals are members with the National Saudi
Dietetic Association (SDA). Hospitals were mostly following international Standards of Practice (SOP)
for anthropometry (60 percent), compared to national standards (10 percent). SOP is not unified or
governed by the national organization body. Regularly (80 percent) of the practicing dietitians identify
their individual scope of practice, the use of growth charts and reference data in assessing the growth
status of their young clients. Similarly to other international countries, sustainability and resilience to
all aspects of nutrition and dietetics practice should be ensured and maintained by SDA when guiding
and standardizing all practices.
Originality/value –The study highlights the importance of standardizing the practice of
anthropometric assessment among adolescent group. The study is also a call for the SDA to emphasize
its role in governing and defining guidelines in all scopes of dietetics practice.
Keywords Practice, Assessment, Adolescents, Saudi Arabia, Anthropometry, Dietetics
Paper type Research paper
Background and aims
The multi-layered relatio nship between nutrition and h ealth has regenerated
nutritional assessment to a position of key importance in patient care. This include
patients in primary areas of clinical practice such as acute/in patient, ambulatory and
long-term care (Winterfeldt, 2010).
The history of the dietetics profession shows involvement in different practices such as
growth, assessment of nutritional status and management of nutritional-related diseases.
Looking at the previous studies on dietetic practice of anthropometric assessment
for adolescents in clinical settings in Saudi Arabia and despite the fact that many
examples of proven practices and strategies exist in Saudi Arabia, there is a dearth of
information concerning dietetic practice. The fast development of dietetic practice
reflects the current emphasis on delivering care that is patient focussed, profitable and
reasonable, and will challenge to decrease existing differences in dietetic practice. The
common dietetic practice that should follow their application will support equivalent
principles of care for patients when they access services. A dietetic practice-related
survey in overweight and obesity management aimed to describe practices of treating
obesity in Saudi Arabia among 253 dietitians compared the reported national practices
with practices in Australia. Finding for the survey presented that 175 (69 percent) of the
World Journal of Science,
Technology and Sustainable
Development
Vol. 13 No. 2, 2016
pp. 143-151
©Emerald Group Publis hing Limited
2042-5945
DOI 10.1108/WJSTSD-01-2016-0006
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:
www.emeraldinsight.com/2042-5945.htm
143
Growth status
in Saudi
hospitals
To continue reading
Request your trial