Under-nutrition is a serious and common complication of patients with Chronis Kidney Disease (CKD). This study was designed to assess the nutritional status of hospitalized patients with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) at the pre-dialysis stage. Twenty-nine inward CKD patients (10 males and 19 females) with a mean age of 59 (SD=±4.2) years were
recruited. An interviewer administered pre-tested questionnaire, patients’ bed-head tickets and semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire were used as the data collection tools. Body weight and height were measured following standard techniques to assess the nutritional status. Dietary intake was analyzed by using Food base 2000 software. Statistical
analysis was done by using Minitab 14. Although the mean Body Mass Index (BMI) (21.85 + 3.92 kg m-2) was within the normal range (18.5-22.9 kg m-2), 21% of the sample was underweight (BMI < 18.5 kg m-2). The mean energy intake was 29.46 +7.65 kcal/kgBW/day, which was below the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of 30-35 kcal/kgBW/day. The mean protein intake was 0.77+0.19 g/kgBW/day and was within the RDA (0.6-0.8 g/kgBW/day). The study concludes that 21% of the sample was underweight. Almost all the subjects did not consume adequate energy and it may be due to poor appetite levels. Therefore, monitoring nutritional status of patients is more important to ensure appropriate nutrition support in a timely manner, to prevent or minimize the development of malnutrition prior to dialysis.