Indirect methods of assessing nutritional status include:

Indirect methods of assessing nutritional status focus on evaluating dietary intake and food consumption patterns rather than direct measurements or clinical evaluations. Food consumption studies specifically examine what individuals or populations eat, providing insight into dietary habits, nutrient intake, and potential deficiencies or excesses. This method often involves surveys, interviews, or food diaries that compile comprehensive data about the types and quantities of food consumed over a specified period.

The other methods listed, such as anthropometric measurements, clinical examinations, and biochemical examinations, are more direct assessments. Anthropometric measurements evaluate physical dimensions and body composition, clinical examinations assess physical signs and symptoms of nutritional deficiencies or health problems, and biochemical examinations analyze blood, urine, or tissue samples for specific nutrients or biomarkers. These methods provide valuable data but are based on direct observations and testing rather than dietary intake assessments. Thus, food consumption studies distinctly represent an indirect approach to understanding nutritional status.