An emerging area, telehealth, includes opportunities for dietitians. A preliminary review is presented of telehealth centers in Canada that involve dietitians for telephone counseling. Research data show effectiveness of counseling by dietitians in helping clients change behaviors and manage weight.
Didactic Programs in Dietetics (DPDs) are required to include prescribed curriculum content from the Commission on Accreditation of Dietetics Education standards. Gilboy and her colleagues surveyed DPD directors to determine what and how to teach the fundamentals of public policy in today's curriculums. Suggested resources and learning strategies are outlined for readers.
Abbatangelo-Gray et al compared the nutrient content of food advertisements on Spanish and English television programming. According to the authors, the percentage of nonprogram spots that were food-related advertisements was significantly higher in the English-language sample than in the Spanish-language sample. This first project provides a foundation for future research.
Overweight children (>25 body mass index) have an increased risk for developing asthma. Luder examines the epidemiological and genetic trends and considers the role of the prenatal diet on the manifestation of obesity and asthma.
Individuals are choosing dietary and herbal supplements as weight loss aids. Alraei examines the current evidence on this trend and questions the safety and efficacy of a variety of the most frequently used supplements. More randomized clinical trials and other research should be conducted to clarify the implications for future use of herbal and dietetic supplements for weight loss.
Adolescent obesity has been addressed in several ways, including a project for residential campers by Dunn et al. Thirty-four campers and their camp counselors participated in a Take Off 4-Health program. Thirty-two of the campers lost weight and were able to incorporate small changes in dietary and exercise activities.
An interdisciplinary team evaluated the health and nutrition status of a 5-year-old girl who was exposed to methamphetamine in utero. The observations of iron deficiency and overweight in the child raised issues that should be examined in future research along with regular nutrition assessments for infants and children exposed to harmful drugs in utero.
Fawkes et al surveyed 310 female students in a convenience sample at a New England college. They examined the students' perceptions of their use of food labels, dietary habits, and body image. They found that the 48 female college students who are concerned about weight status and body image were more likely to use food labels.
McDoniel and Hammond conducted a pilot study to assess the efficacy of a treatment program for obese adults with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Thirty-six participants in a 12-week behavioral program were able to reduce weight and improve eating habits, quality of life, and sleep duration.
Ziegler et al did a medical record review in overweight and obese adults to compare indirect calorimetry and 5 predictive equations. Differences were observed in 4 of the equations, with classes I and II for females. This project indicates more research is needed to make energy expenditure predictions in the clinical setting.
In one of the snowiest seasons ever, it may be timely for you to balance your outside activity with reading your latest journal. Topics in Clinical Nutrition (TICN) has been transitioning into a new online system of managing manuscript submissions. Hardcover journals are making earlier publication of articles easier with online journals, which may become the norm for keeping up to date on best nutrition practices. TICN is working hard to accommodate your requirements. Please inform us about what you need to keep us up to date and determine what is most important to you for your practice needs.
Judith A. Gilbride, PhD, RD, FADA
Editor