Nutrition
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Critically ill children admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) often are malnourished. The aim of this study was to determine the role of nutritional status on admission as a predictor of the duration of mechanical ventilation in critically ill children. ⋯ Malnutrition, based on a variety of anthropometric variables, was associated with the duration of mechanical ventilation in this cohort of critically ill children. Assessment of nutritional status by anthropometry should be performed on admission to the PICU to allow targeted nutritional rehabilitation for the subset of children with existing malnutrition.
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Comparative Study
Association between estimated total daily energy expenditure and stage of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease, and nutritional status is one of the major prognostic factors of ALS. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between total daily energy expenditure (TDEE) and progression of disease in ALS patients, as well as sex differences in TDEE. ⋯ The present study suggests that TDEE decreases with progression of ALS, and patients consume insufficient energy compared with required intake at all stages, particularly at stage 3, suggesting that nutrition support should be started at least before stage 3. Additionally, among the five equations for TDEE, TDEE 2 could be the best for evaluating the nutritional status of patients with ALS.
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Poor nutritional status is associated with osteoporosis (OP) in postmenopausal women. Moreover, recent studies documented that prealbumin is the best and most widely used parameter to monitor nutrition intervention and is a sensitive predictor of short-term outcome compared with albumin. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the association of prealbumin levels with bone mineral density (BMD) in patients with OP. ⋯ Prealbumin was significantly correlated with BMD after adjusting for traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Further prospective research is warranted to further enhance our understanding of the important role of prealbumin in OP.
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Significant changes in the preference for different dietary components have been observed after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). The aim of this study was to evaluate the early post-RYGB changes in quality of eating patterns and their relationship to weight loss and metabolic parameters. ⋯ Participants in the present study appeared to develop a healthier dietary pattern by 6 mo after RYGB. These results show that a healthier dietary pattern is associated with a significant improvement of metabolic profile and weight loss.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Smartphone technology facilitates dietary change in healthy adults.
Many individuals are advised to adhere to specific diet plans for their personal health; hence, it is important that tools are available to support these behaviors. Smartphone applications (apps) may assist health care professionals in educating their clients on specific dietary modifications. This pilot study focused on a single dietary modification, reducing sodium intake, to determine whether a commercial health app is useful for promoting dietary change. ⋯ These data suggest that smartphone apps have the potential to facilitate the implementation of dietary advice. This was a small pilot study with limited scope, and more research is necessary to determine the value of smartphone apps for facilitating dietary change.