Asia Pacific journal of clinical nutrition
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Asia Pac J Clin Nutr · Jan 2006
An Aboriginal-driven program to prevent, control and manage nutrition-related "lifestyle" diseases including diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes and other nutrition-related so-called "lifestyle" diseases, including obesity, and cardiovascular and chronic renal disease, are very prevalent in Australian Aboriginal people and contribute to their high rates of chronic illness and premature mortality. An Aboriginal-driven, community-based health protection, health promotion and improved disease detection, management and care program was introduced in four remote, discrete communities in the far north of Western Australia (WA) in order to attempt to prevent these disorders through community-based lifestyle modification. More energetic screening for early risk factors is involved as well as early dietary and exercise interventions and medical treatment, when indicated. ⋯ The pre-program prevalence of diabetes in screened adults was almost 40% and in adults aged (35 years was almost 60%. After several months of the program's operation, there have been positive changes in knowledge about food, nutrition, exercise and disease and altered attitudes and behaviours related to dietary and exercise patterns. There have also been improvements in weight control and in pathology test results relevant to the risk of subsequent development of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
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Asia Pac J Clin Nutr · Jan 2006
Is the BMI cut-off level for Japanese females for obesity set too high? A consideration from a body composition perspective.
The aim of the study was to determine the sensitivity and specificity of the BMI cut-off points that have been applied in the National Nutritional Survey in Japan (NNS-J) for young Japanese females. The relationship between the body mass index (BMI) and percentage body fat (%BF) of 139 young Japanese females (aged 18-27 years old) was examined using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and anthropometry. The sensitivity and specificity of the BMI cut-off point that has been in use in Japan was compared with the cut-off point proposed for Asia-Pacific population (the WPRO classification). ⋯ The misclassification reduced to 60% when the BMI value of 23kg/m2 was used as a cut-off point. The results indicate that the current classification used in the NNS-J may not precisely reflect the obesity status of young Japanese females and a considerable proportion of females with a large fat deposition would be misclassified as not obese. The current study shows the importance of including detailed body composition assessments to determine obesity level of individuals.
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Asia Pac J Clin Nutr · Jan 2005
Intake levels and major food sources of energy and nutrients in the Taiwanese elderly.
The purpose of this article is to examine dietary intake levels and major food sources of energy and nutrients for the Taiwanese elderly in order to relate nutrient intakes to food choices and to provide suggestions for dietary improvement. The data were derived from the 24-hour recalls from 1,911 subjects (955 males and 956 females) aged 65 and above, who participated in the Elderly NAHSIT carried out from 1999 to 2000. The differences in food consumption patterns between the elderly and younger adults (aged 19 to 64) were also evaluated by comparison with data obtained from NAHSIT 1993-1996. ⋯ Nonetheless, our elderly population needs to increase their intake of calcium, magnesium, vitamins E and B6, and dietary fiber, and decrease their consumption of salt. Promoting the ingestion of whole-grain and nut products may be a useful strategy to improve the nutritional status of the Taiwanese elderly, aiming at increasing the percentage of energy obtained from carbohydrates and the daily intake of vitamins E and B6, magnesium, and dietary fiber. Suitable strategies are also needed to improve the calcium status of Taiwanese elderly, particularly as a high proportion of them are either lactose intolerant or dislike dairy products.
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Asia Pac J Clin Nutr · Jan 2005
Management of chylothorax and chylopericardium in pediatric patients: experiences at Siriraj Hospital, Bangkok.
Chylothorax and chylopericardium are rare conditions occurring in infants and children. Both may be traumatic or nontraumatic in origin. We reviewed our experiences with the management of sixteen pediatric cases (10 males, 6 females; 11-days to 14-years old) of chylothorax and chylopericardium from 1997 to 2003. ⋯ One case succeeded after surgery. A case that had low compliance with dietary recommendations and required repeated placement of drainage devices died due to infection with enterococcal septicemia. Early and good compliance with MCT-rich diet is essential for achieving a favorable outcome in the management of chylothorax and chylopericardium in children.
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Asia Pac J Clin Nutr · Jan 2005
Case ReportsRecurrent D-lactic acidosis in a child with short bowel syndrome.
D-lactic acidosis is a rare complication in children with short bowel syndrome. It results from fermentation of dietary carbohydrate by luminal bacteria in the small bowel caused by bacterial overgrowth. We present the case of a 14-year-old boy who had been diagnosed with short bowel syndrome from surgical treatment of midgut volvulus five years previously. ⋯ The treatment was correction of metabolic acidosis by sodium bicarbonate infusion and carbohydrate restriction. The results of the therapy were satisfactory. Early detection and appropriate treatment is necessary to avoid morbidity and mortality following this complication of short bowel syndrome.