This report describes an approach for the evaluation of nutritional status implemented by the CEMUBAC medical mission to Zaire. Introductory remarks provide a brief, general discussion of the evaluation of individual, familial, and community nutritional status, as well as the evaluation of nutritional status and priorities. Section I focuses on the description of the nutritional status of various population groups. After a brief reminder concerning the difference between relative amd true malnutrition, the discussion outlines indicators of protein-energy nutritional status. Indicators are drawn from anthropometry, clinical observations, and biochemical findings. Several illustrations of each general category of indicator are provided and are discussed with regard to criteria such as age, sex, time, and place. Subsequent discussion focuses on considerations in determining the nutritional status of the most important special groups (women, lactating women, and newborn children). Again, illustrations of nutritional status evaluation are provided. Section II discusses decisive factors in collective protein-energy nutritional status. Supplemented by several examples, the discussion focuses on personal, familial, and environmental factors. Section III describes and illustrates the analytical approach, specifically: (1) analysis of the relative seriousness of the different forms of protein-energy malnutrition, and (2) analysis of different factors that may influence the nutritional status of population groups. Respectively, sections IV, V, and VI very briefly discuss the methodology of data collection, the methodology of data analysis, and the evaluation of health actions conducted by medical units. (RH)