Nutrition
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Disease severity is considered an important risk factor for malnutrition in hospitalized patients. We investigated the effect of social factors and disease parameters on the development of malnutrition. ⋯ These data show that patients who are older, less educated, and live alone are at high risk of developing malnutrition. Thus special attention should be given to these risk groups when evaluating nutritional status and nutritional support.
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This review provides an update of recent studies of dietary fiber and weight and includes a discussion of potential mechanisms of how dietary fiber can aid weight loss and weight maintenance. ⋯ The average fiber intake of adults in the United States is less than half recommended levels and is lower still among those who follow currently popular low-carbohydrate diets, such as Atkins and South Beach. Increasing consumption of dietary fiber with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes across the life cycle is a critical step in stemming the epidemic of obesity found in developed countries. The addition of functional fiber to weight-loss diets should also be considered as a tool to improve success.