J Am Diet Assoc
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To develop new, nationally representative equations to predict stature for racial/ethnic groups of the elderly population in the United States. ⋯ New stature prediction equations using knee height and age are presented for non-Hispanic white, non-Hispanic black and Mexican-American elderly persons from current nationally representative data. These equations should be applied when a measure of stature cannot be obtained, for example, for persons with amputations of the leg, or with spinal curvature or who are confined to bed. Predicted stature values are acceptable surrogates in nutritional indexes.
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In August 1996, the US Food and Drug Administration published regulations that revised the guidelines for voluntary nutrition labeling of raw fruits, vegetables, and fish; revised the criteria for retailers' compliance with the guidelines; and updated the nutrition labeling values for the 20 most frequently consumed raw fruits, vegetables, and fish. These actions were in response to the requirements of the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act of 1990 and make the voluntary nutrition labeling program more consistent with mandatory nutrition labeling of other foods. The provisions of the final rule are important for dietitians who develop nutrition education materials for retail stores and for dietitians who instruct patients and clients in selecting foods according to nutrition labeling information.
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Indirect calorimetry measures oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production to calculate resting energy expenditure and respiratory quotient. The respiratory quotient can be determined from indirect calorimetry to determine substrate utilization and used to alter the patient's nutrition support regimen. All but one indirect calorimeter manufactured in the United States are open-circuit rather than closed-circuit systems.
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This study was conducted to determine the relationship, if any, between nutritional status, length of stay (LOS) in hospital, discharge placement, readmission rates, and hospital costs and charges in patients hospitalized in the medicine service. ⋯ Patients at risk for malnutrition had significantly higher LOS, costs, and home health care needs, despite the fact that 51, or 91%, received nutrition intervention while hospitalized. Further research should explore the use of nutrition screening and intervention before, during, and after hospitalization to ensure that appropriate nutrition intervention, as indicated by medical patients' clinical condition and nutritional risk status, is initiated and continued.