The summer issue presents a compilation of research articles, reviews, and clinical nutrition projects, focusing on adult athletes, validation of assessment instruments, and management of chronic diseases.
Karpinski et al developed and validated a sports nutrition tool for assessing diet and nutrition knowledge of adult athletes. The authors established face and content validity through the assistance of registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) who work in sports nutrition. The RDN evaluators recommended the Sports Nutrition Knowledge Instrument for acquiring nutrition information by active adult athletes.
A different project by Eck et al explored factors that affect the food choices of athletes as reported by RDNs working in sports nutrition. The RDNs acknowledged the importance of individualizing nutritional advice according to sport and food preferences. Often vulnerable to disordered eating patterns, the investigators recommend a multidisciplinary team when counseling athletes about food and nutrition.
Amr and colleagues analyzed the association of selected parameters on body mass index (BMI) among students in Jordan. A convenience sample of students from 3 universities was surveyed and classified as normal, overweight, or obese according to BMI. The research team found a significant association between BMI and gender, nationality, and age and identified differences in those who were of normal weight versus those who were overweight or obese.
Shimizu et al conducted a project examining sarcopenia and glycemic control in 26 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Applying handgrip measures and targeting skeletal muscle mass ratios as indexes of body composition, they determined that skeletal muscle mass may be a helpful index, but more studies are needed.
Schwartz et al compared agreement for a group of patients undergoing hemodialysis between the Subjective Global Assessment for diagnosing malnutrition risk and the new guidelines from ASPEN and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Although they recorded differences in malnutrition prevalence using the 2 approaches, prospective trials should be conducted for further evaluation and implementation.
Chauncey and her colleagues conducted an intervention trial to see whether they could increase fruit and vegetable consumption among 33 medical students. They measured the effect of increased consumption on skin carotene scores. All of the students were able to eat more fruits and vegetables and improve carotenoid levels.
We welcome 2 new members to the Topics in Clinical Nutrition (TICN) Editorial Board. Teresa Johnson, DCN, RDN, FAND, is a professor at Troy University, School of Nursing in the Department of Kinesiology and Health Promotion. Her expertise is in the nutrition education of health professionals, enteral feeding studies, and pediatrics and child health. Kate Willcutts, DCN, RD, CNSC, is an expert in surgical nutrition support and parenteral nutrition. Her current position is Clinical Nutrition Manager in the University of Virginia Health System and former Assistant Professor in the School of Nursing.
Thank you for all the contributions to TICN. Please provide input on future topics for consideration by the editorial board by e-mailing me and submit manuscripts that you want to share with your colleagues and the professional community here: https://TIN.edmgr.com.
-Judith A. Gilbride, PhD, RD, FAND
Editor