The Seven Methods for the Evaluation of Nutritional Status—ABCDEFG: Narrative Review

Background: Nutritional status assessment is the cornerstone of the Nutrition Care Process, guiding diagnosis, intervention, and monitoring. The classical ABCD model (Anthropometry, Biochemical, Clinical, Dietary) has been widely applied; however, it presents limitations in addressing current nutritional and epidemiological challenges. Objective: This narrative review aims to synthesize and update the scientific evidence on the expanded nutritional assessment model, known as ABCDEFG, which incorporates the Ecological–microbiota (E), Functional (F), and Genomic–nutrigenomic (G) approaches. Methods: A narrative review of the literature was conducted through PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, covering publications from 2013 to 2025. Articles were selected based on relevance to at least one of the seven assessment domains. Findings were synthesized descriptively and critically, highlighting applications, strengths, and limitations. Results: The ABCDEFG framework offers a multidimensional perspective of nutritional assessment. While anthropometric, biochemical, clinical, and dietary methods remain essential, the inclusion of ecological dimensions (gut microbiota, environmental influences), functional measures (e.g., muscle strength, physical performance), and genomics enables a more sensitive and personalized evaluation. This integrative approach supports better clinical decision-making and research innovation in nutrition and health sciences. Conclusions: The seven-method model broadens the scope of nutritional assessment, bridging traditional and emerging tools. Its application enhances the capacity to identify nutritional risks, design targeted interventions, and advance precision nutrition.

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Journal
Applied Sciences
Published
2026-01-14
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/app16020845
Primary Topic
Nutrition, Genetics, and Disease
Type
article
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0.00
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article

The Seven Methods for the Evaluation of Nutritional Status—ABCDEFG: Narrative Review

Derly Andrade-Molina, María Elisa Herrera Fontana, Viviana Bressi, Luis Miguel Becerra Granados et al.
Applied Sciences
Nutrition, Genetics, and Disease
article

The Seven Methods for the Evaluation of Nutritional Status—ABCDEFG: Narrative Review

Derly Andrade-Molina, María Elisa Herrera Fontana, Viviana Bressi, Luis Miguel Becerra Granados, Lorena Daniela Domínguez Brito, Evelyn Frias-Toral, Samuel Durán-Agüero, Cecilia Arteaga-Pazmiño, Raynier Zambrano-Villacres, Dolores Rodríguez-Veintimilla, Paulo E. Recoba-Obregón
article en

Abstract

Background: Nutritional status assessment is the cornerstone of the Nutrition Care Process, guiding diagnosis, intervention, and monitoring. The classical ABCD model (Anthropometry, Biochemical, Clinical, Dietary) has been widely applied; however, it presents limitations in addressing current nutritional and epidemiological challenges. Objective: This narrative review aims to synthesize and update the scientific evidence on the expanded nutritional assessment model, known as ABCDEFG, which incorporates the Ecological–microbiota (E), Functional (F), and Genomic–nutrigenomic (G) approaches. Methods: A narrative review of the literature was conducted through PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, covering publications from 2013 to 2025. Articles were selected based on relevance to at least one of the seven assessment domains. Findings were synthesized descriptively and critically, highlighting applications, strengths, and limitations. Results: The ABCDEFG framework offers a multidimensional perspective of nutritional assessment. While anthropometric, biochemical, clinical, and dietary methods remain essential, the inclusion of ecological dimensions (gut microbiota, environmental influences), functional measures (e.g., muscle strength, physical performance), and genomics enables a more sensitive and personalized evaluation. This integrative approach supports better clinical decision-making and research innovation in nutrition and health sciences. Conclusions: The seven-method model broadens the scope of nutritional assessment, bridging traditional and emerging tools. Its application enhances the capacity to identify nutritional risks, design targeted interventions, and advance precision nutrition.

Applied SciencesVol. 16(2)
Texas State University (US), Pontificia Universidad Javeriana (CO), University of Guayaquil (EC), Universidad Científica del Sur (PE), San Sebastián University (CL), Universidad Espíritu Santo (EC), Universidad Estatal de Milagro (EC), Instituto Universitario Italiano de Rosario (AR), Universidad Internacional del Ecuador (EC), Universidad Ecotec (EC), Group for the Analysis of Development (PE), Universidad San Francisco de Quito (EC)
Openalex Percentile: Top 88%
Nutrition, Genetics, and Disease
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