Topics in Clinical Nutrition welcomes 2003 with a renewed focus on practice-based research and projects that will help practitioners. This year TICN has been reorganized to coincide with an annual volume 18, issues 1 to 4 and the pages listed consecutively throughout the year. The new format will make it easier for accessing articles and references.
In this issue, Allen and her colleagues surveyed pediatricians in New Jersey concerning their obesity management practices of children. The majority of respondents reported usage of the 2000 CDC pediatric growth charts, measurements of heights and weights and plotting weight-for-age and height-for-age during well baby and child visits to their offices. Further study by pediatricians and their staffs should be done to assess the time spent providing services for weight management and the components required for diet and physical activity histories and/or counseling.
Mueller et al present a literature review about the controversy surrounding enteral nutrition in elderly residents in long-term care facilities. On the basis of a study comparing adequate feeding and gastrointestinal complications with selected outcomes (body weight, physical function, and infection) in elderly residents, they recommend a decision tree to select appropriate candidates for enteral nutrition.
Pawlak reviewed several studies that examined bone mass measurements of those following vegetarian diets and those who consume omnivorous diets. The articles in the review differ in how bone mass is measured and profiles and dietary patterns of participants. Overall, the studies show no adverse effects on bone density with a vegetarian diet compared to an omnivorous diet. Future investigations should examine the evidence and plan prospective studies that control the many variables that can affect the development of osteoporosis.
Greene and his colleagues compared self-assessment of young adults regarding portions of fruits, vegetables, and grains to the standard, the dietary interview. They also measured stage of change in the interview by defining servings using the US Food Guide Pyramid. Self-assessment of portions by this group of young adults was most valuable for consumption of fruits, less for vegetables, and inconsistent for intake of grains
Quinn et al conducted a project to assess the impact of the Cookshop (TM) program on the dietary habits of fifth graders by using a 24-hour recall and food frequency questionnaire. They concluded that nutritionists and educators must work together to change food habits of children. The process is slow and multifaceted and hands-on experience and parental involvement were considered more effective strategies in this project. They recommend that more attention be given by nutrition educators to change food behavior in young children and to devise appropriate education strategies.
Dundas and her collaborators queried college students about their use of herbal supplements. One third of the participants reported use of herbal supplements and the reasons for taking them. The most frequently used supplements were echinacea, gingko biloba, and ginseng. They concluded that dietitians should work closely with young adults who consume herbal supplements to provide information of potential side effects and interactions with diet constituents and medications.
Sheridan and her colleagues examined the dietary intakes and circulating hemoglobin levels of women 31-50 years of age and their biological daughters. They found women between 19 and 30 to be at greatest risk for low iron intakes and recommend appropriate nutrition interventions to help increase intakes of dietary iron.
The design and testing of assessment instruments have long been the focus of dietetic practitioners. Beer and her colleagues targeted a specific population, advanced cancer patients treated with high doses of calcitrol. They used a dietary questionnaire (DCAI) focusing on calcium-rich foods and a quality of life instrument They found that DCAI identified those whose intake exceeds 500 mg of calcium per day with 85% sensitivity. No changes in the scores of the quality of life instrument were found with the introduction of a calcium restricted diet.
Special appreciation is extended to the contributors for their timely, interesting manuscripts and the reviewers for their thoughtful critiques and generous cooperation. Please write or e-mail me with any suggestions for new features in Topics in Clinical Nutrition.