Nutrients
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Despite a global increase in childhood obesity over the past decades, several countries, including Switzerland, have recently reported stabilizing trends. Using national data from school-aged children in Switzerland over the past 16 years, our study aim was to assess changes in the prevalence of overweight and obesity, central adiposity and predictors of obesity related to lifestyle and parental factors. Nationally representative samples of children aged 6-12 years were studied in 2002 (n = 2493), 2007 (n = 2218), 2012 (n = 2963), and 2017/18 (n = 2279). ⋯ The most important risk factors for childhood overweight/obesity in 2017/18 were low parental education, non-Swiss origin of the parents, low physical activity of the child, and male sex. In conclusion, we have shown a small but significant declining trend in the childhood overweight/obesity prevalence over the past 15 years in Switzerland. Based on the risk factor analysis, preventive action in schoolchildren might be most effective in boys, migrant populations, and families with lower education, and should emphasize physical activity.
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In critically ill patients, malnutrition is known to increase morbidity and mortality. We investigated the relationship between nutritional support and 28-day mortality using the modified NUTrition RIsk in the Critically ill (NUTRIC) score in patients with sepsis. This retrospective cohort study included patients with sepsis admitted to the medical intensive care unit (ICU) between January 2011 and June 2017. ⋯ In patients with high nutritional risk, higher energy intakes of ≥25 kcal/kg were significantly associated with lower 28-day mortality compared to intakes of <20 kcal/kg (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR): 0.569, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.339-0.962, p = 0.035). Higher protein intakes of ≥1.2 g/kg were also significantly associated with lower 28-day mortality compared to intakes of <1.0 g/kg (aHR: 0.502, 95% CI: 0.280-0.900, p = 0.021). Appropriate energy (≥25 kcal/kg) and protein (≥1.2 g/kg) intakes during the first week may improve outcomes in patients with sepsis having high nutritional risk.
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Editorial Comment
Modulation of Gut Microbiota for Health by Current and Next-Generation Probiotics.
The human gut microbiota is a complex ecosystem and has an essential role in maintaining intestinal and systemic health. Microbiota dysbiosis is associated with a number of intestinal and systemic conditions and its modulation for human health is of great interest. Gut microbiota is a source of novel health-promoting bacteria, often termed as next-generation probiotics in order to distinguish them from traditional probiotics. The previous lessons learned with traditional probiotics can help the development of next-generation probiotics that target specific health issues and needs.
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Cow's milk and dairy are commonly consumed foods in the human diet and contribute to maintaining a healthy nutritional state, providing unique sources of energy, calcium, protein, and vitamins, especially during early childhood. Milk formula is usually made from cow's milk and represents the first food introduced into an infant's diet when breastfeeding is either not possible or insufficient to cover nutritional needs. ⋯ There is a strong need to promote awareness about qualitative and quantitative nutritional compositions of different milk formulas, in order to guide parents and medical providers selecting the best option for children. In this article, we sought to review the different compositions in terms of macronutrients and micronutrients of milk from different mammalian species, including special milk formulas indicated for cow's milk allergy, and of plant-based milk alternatives.
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We appreciate the interest and comments from Joshi et al [...].