Assessment of growth status in Saudi hospitals

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.