Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the knowledge of the students of the course of nutrition on the global subjective evaluation. Method: Descriptive, analytical-exploratory and cross-sectional study with a qualitative approach. The sample was fifty-three students, regularly enrolled, both sexes, attending the last semester of four Institutions of Higher Education of the Nutrition course. The data were collected through an open and semistructured interview, whose script was composed of open questions related to the theoretical and practical process, as well as knowledge, skills and practice on global subjective assessment, after approval of the Ethics and Research Committee. The qualitative data were analyzed by the technique of content analysis, thematic modality. Results: According to recurrent and critical themes in the research the specific skills and competences to perform diagnosis by Global Subjective Assessment were limited due to lack of training, technical knowledge and insufficient practical classes. Conclusions: The students are aware of the importance of performing the nutritional assessment carefully for the appropriate nutritional diagnosis. However, they report different approaches to issues in theory and practice, that is, they are not integrated. Most reported insecurity in diagnosing the patient due to absence or insufficient practical classes, compromising the competence of the students.