Nutrition is on the front page of newspapers nearly everyday and lately the articles focus on the revision of the dietary guidelines set by the US Government. Important to the intended use of these guidelines are nutrition education and reliable consumer messages. For more information on the dietary guidelines report, see the Web site. In this issue of Topics in Clinical Nutrition, several research projects reflect the need to collect data and craft the most appropriate messages for targeting consumers and other health professionals.
In this issue, the use of supplements by adolescents has been examined by Herbold and her colleagues. Of the 200 respondents to their student survey, three fourths reported that they took some type of supplement, vitamin C being the most common. The largest growth in terms of usage has been in sports-related supplements and these were included in the survey. Positive correlations were found in this study between the number of supplements and participation in team sports and between the number of supplements and frequency of strength training.
Improvements in the diets of children have been increasingly discussed in the nutrition and pediatrics literature. Dundas and Cook examined the impact of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for women, infants, and children, and found notable improvements in the diets of participants. They compared diets, using the Health Eating Index at initial certification and after, often 6 months. Additional studies are needed.
Granger and Holben conducted a project on the self-identified knowledge and practices of family physicians in Ohio. Only 35% of family physicians considered themselves knowledgeable about food security. On the basis of their findings, they recommended that dietetics professionals reach this audience and teach them to recognize food security and to make appropriate referrals for social and community services.
Wood and Hildebrandt have written a review that addresses an important topic at an opportune time. Many questions about the use of low-carbohydrate diets by lactating women who are interested in dieting to lose weight are presented and discussed. The authors concluded that more research is needed to determine the impact of low-carbohydrate diets on human lactation performance and infant development.
Wuhl has provided a case review of a patient who has had bariatric surgery. The procedure for the surgery was the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, one that seems to give the best outcomes with the fewest complications. This particular case had a number of complications that occurred after surgery and she encourages careful monitoring of all post-bariatric-surgery patients by the healthcare team including dietitians.
A notable consultant to the food and nutrition industry, Maria C. Museler, shares her perspective on the art of negotiation for dietetics professionals. She has garnered her expertise as a leader in the profession and in her position as a dietetics educator, department administrator, training specialist, human resource and operations manager, and, today, a successful industry consultant.
Two articles address genetics education in dietetics. Georgia Angelakis has done an extensive review of a novice's approach to genetics and nutrition. She provides her point of view and also describes a convenience survey of students in a nutrition and food studies program. Education needs of dietetics practitioners have been examined by Gilbride and Camp. Based on a survey of health professionals, the responses and opinions of dietitians are presented along with survey outcomes since the completion of Human Genome Education Model Project II.
Two book reviews are included in this issue, one by Professor Domingo J. Pinero, who explains the premise and value of Contemporary Nutrition for Latinos: Latino Lifestyle Guide to Nutrition and Health. Written by Professor Judith Cruz Rodriguez at the University of North Florida, it is a valuable resource for anyone interested in nutrition and health. The second book by Platkin is Breaking the Pattern: The 5 Principles You Need to Remodel Your Life, which offers techniques and advice for changing behavior.
Thank you for your continued input and support. As always, the editorial board should be commended for their hard work and commitment. The reviewers are acknowledged in this final issue of 2004.