ABSTRACT
Protein malnutrition is a continuing worldwide problem in both developed and developing countries. In order to adequately assess the degree of such malnutrition, it is important to be able to evaluate the protein nutritional status of affected individuals. In performing such evaluations there is a need to understand both physical and laboratory findings. Protein nutritional status is indicated by clinical signs, such as growth failure, and by laboratory data reflecting nitrogen metabolism. Approaches to understanding protein nutritional status have ranged from collecting anthropometric data to performance of sophisticated stable isotope studies. Protein is a macromolecule composed of amino acid nutrients, and, ultimately, nutritional evaluations must address whether or not the diet supplies an appropriate quantity of each individual amino acid. Lastly, as more sophisticated techniques become available, the role of each amino acid in supporting basic physiological functions must be assessed.
