3. CO be l':lp::ihll' of c-11r~·ing out U1c specific. · test. Moreover, it could be invmdve und t fwrt'fon. ' 111. iy not be ;,ok to dkit c-ooper11tion of subject~. The mo~t common biod1cmic;il tcs L~ employed in nutritionnl assessment include the following: Deficiency J. Protein deficiency 2. Vitamin A 3. Iron 4. Folic Acid/ 812 5. Iodine 6. Vitamin C 7. Thi:imin, Riboftwin, Niacin 8. vit:imin B6 :2. Biophysicul Tc..~ts 8iochcmic,1I te-~t Serum albumin Urinary urca:crcatininc ratio Serum vitnmin A Hcmo~lobin. Hematocrit Serum lron Serum and RBC Folate Serum and RBC vitnmin 81. 2 Urinary iodine excretion (Ul E) TSH, T3, T4 Senim Vitamin C Urln:iry Excretion Tr:vptophan load test Biophysical usscssment includes tests of functional ability such as nightblindness, and enl:!rgy expenditure. delayed hypersensitivity. It also includes examination of clinic. ally ac=sible tissues such as hardness of nails, tensile strength of hair. ind radiographic e. ~arninations. Dc,iations from the normal functions may be associated "~th nutritional deficiency. 3. Cli11ical Examination Clinic. 'tl examination is relative. ly simple, inexpensive, and non-invasive. It is practicnl ;rnd useful when the deficiency is endemic. It assesses changes in the skin, h:iir, mouth. and thyroid. TI1e c JJnica. l signs are suggestive of nutritional deflclcncy include the following: Deficiency Anemia Vitamin A R. il>oflavin Niacin Vil Jlmin C Iodine l'roteiu Vitamin D Suggestive signs Pale conjunctiva, inner Ups and Palm of hands Bi tot's Spol Stornatitis Casal's necklace Bleeding gums 1l1yroid enlargement Edema/moon focc Epiphyseal enlargement COMMON NUTRm ONAL PROBLEMS OF PUBLIC HEALTH IMPORTANCE 1. PROTEIN-ENERGY MALNUTRITION (PEM) Protein-energy malnutrition remains to be a public health problem in many developin~ countries includin11 the Philippines. ft is usw1lly manifcs1cd as growth failure. PEM r~ults mainly from lock offood and frequent infcctirm. G thot c:wse lnck of appetite while: incna:,ini; tht: body's llt. 'l.--ds for nutrients. lnodt.-quate intake is hroughl about by the interplay of scvernl factors inc. luding political, i;oc-ial, cultural, economic 