Nutrition risk considerations in uninsured adult patients in a free primary care clinic.

This study examines patient and provider perceptions of nutrition risk, compares these perceptions with objective measures, and suggests practices to support improved nutrition-related health outcomes. Using observational methods, surveys were disseminated to uninsured, low-income patients (N = 150) and providers (N = 5) to assess diet quality, malnutrition risk, and food insecurity. Analyses, which used descriptive statistics and Spearman's Rho correlations, included three objective nutrition risk indicator scores based on validated tools, perceptions of nutrition risk, and perceptions of nutrition risk indicator impact on overall nutrition risk. Patient perceptions of nutrition risk correlated with objective measures: diet quality, malnutrition risk, and food insecurity. Provider perception of nutrition risk indicators correlated only with objective malnutrition risk. No correlation was observed between provider- and patient-perceived nutrition risk. Patients identified nutrition risk indicators more effectively than providers. Patient care and PA education may be improved through use of tools to identify and address nutrition risk indicators.