As part of the Medical Nutritional Therapy course, Doc. Dr. Danijela Jovanović delivered an in-depth and clinically valuable lecture on malnutrition—its definition, diagnosis, and significance in medical care.
Dr. Jovanović began by defining malnutrition in both its forms—undernutrition and overnutrition—and explained its widespread impact on patient outcomes, particularly in hospitalized and chronically ill populations. She emphasized why early identification and management of malnutrition are essential components of comprehensive patient care.
The lecture explored the role of anthropometry in nutritional assessment, including measurements such as BMI, mid-upper arm circumference, and skinfold thickness. Dr. Jovanović also addressed genetic and population-specific variations in anthropometric norms, highlighting the importance of interpreting these measurements within the context of an individual’s genetic and ethnic background.
A significant portion of the lecture was dedicated to screening and assessment methods, where students were introduced to validated tools like MUST (Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool) and NRS-2002 (Nutritional Risk Screening). Dr. Jovanović explained how these tools help identify patients at risk and guide further evaluation and intervention.
Finally, she discussed the diagnostic criteria for malnutrition, including recent international guidelines and consensus definitions, reinforcing the need for standardized approaches in clinical practice.
Through this lecture, students gained a strong foundation in recognizing and addressing malnutrition, preparing them to apply evidence-based nutritional strategies in diverse healthcare settings.