Volume 28 Issue 2

▪ Content : Background and Objectives: The participation of a nutrition support pharmacist (NSP) in a multidisciplinary team (MDT) for patients receiving nutrition support therapy (NST) may lead to more favourable outcomes and fewer complications and adverse events. However, few studies have demonstrated the role of NSPs in MDTs in China. To investigate pharmacy interventions and physician acceptance of these interventions for patients receiving NST in an intensive care unit (ICU). Methods and Study Design: A prospective study over a 12-month period was conducted in an ICU at an academic hospital in China.

▪ Content : Background and Objectives: Evaluating barriers to provision of enteral nutrition in intensive care units and planning an appropriate intervention can improve nutritional nursing practice in these units. This study aimed to develop a Korean version of the Barriers to Enterally Feeding Critically Ill Patients Questionnaire (BEFIP-K) and to explore the barriers to enteral feeding of critically ill patients in Korea. Methods and Study Design: The 24-item BEFIP-K was developed according to the process laid down by the World Health Organization.

▪ Content : Background and Objectives: The optimal delivery of enteral nutrition in shock patients has an important prognostic clinical value; thus, checklists for standardizing enteral nutrition should be developed. This study examined whether the use of an enteral feeding checklist can improve enteral nutrition in shock patients. Methods and Study Design: A retrospective cohort study was conducted. A multidisciplinary working group developed an enteral feeding checklist. Information on patients’ demographics, checklist items, and clinical outcomes was collected.

▪ Content : Background and Objectives: Taiwan has a high density of convenience stores and beverage shops, which makes sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) very accessible to teenagers. This study examined the changes and the association between SSBs and biomarkers and nutrient intake, for teenagers over the course of 18 years using a national representative sample. Methods and Study Design: This cross-sectional study used data from the Nutrition and Health Survey in Taiwan (NAHSIT). Complete data for teenagers aged 13 to 19 years including a 24-hour dietary recall, anthropometric and clinical measurements, and SSBs from two periods were analyzed (1993-1996: N=1820; 2010-2011: N=2513). SAS callable SUDAAN was used for statistical analysis, adjusting for the sampling scheme.

▪ Content : intake, this cross-sectional study aimed to explore dietary practices, including problem nutrients, and develop local food-based recommendations (FBRs) to improve the intake of problem nutrients among women of re-productive age (WoRA) with dyslipidemia in Minangkabau, Indonesia. Methods and Study Design: The study was conducted in the Padang township inhabited mostly by the Minangkabau tribe.

▪ Content : Background and Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the reproducibility of a self-administered food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) originally developed for the Japan Public Health Center-Based Prospec-tive Study (JPHC study) and modified for use in the Next Generation (JPHC-NEXT) study. Methods and Study Design: Participants included 98 men and 142 women aged 40–74 years from the five areas included in the JPHC-NEXT protocol. In November 2012, participants were recruited and asked to complete the first nutrition survey. The second nutrition survey was completed after 1 year.

▪ Content : Background and Objectives: The association between a vegetarian diet and bone mineral density (BMD) remains unclear, particularly in young adults. This study was designed to compare the bone health status of young vegetarians and omnivores in Shanghai, China. Methods and Study Design: A total of 246 vegetarians (following a vegan or lacto-ovo-vegetarian diet for at least 1 year) and 246 age- and sex-matched omnivores were recruited among young adult residents of Shanghai, China. The ultrasound bone mineral density analys-er CM-200 was employed to measure calcaneus mineral densities, and blood samples were collected to de-termine serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D status.

▪ Content : Background and Objectives: The association between black-colored foods (black foods) such as black beans, known for their high antioxidant capacity, and the prevention of metabolic diseases has been explored, but not in a large population. Therefore, this study examined relationships between the consumption of black foods and metabolic syndrome in Korean adults. Methods and Study Design: Data from 9,499 40-65-year old subjects (3,675 men and 5,824 women) from the 2010-2015 Korea National Health and Nutrition Exam-ination Survey were used in the analysis.

▪ Content : Background and Objectives: Metabolic syndrome is a leading global public health concern. Nutritional ap-proaches are important for preventing and managing cardiometabolic risks, including metabolic syndrome. The aim of this study was to examine the potential association between riboflavin intake and cardiometabolic risks according to sex among Koreans. Methods and Study Design: We used data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2015–2016, a nationwide cross-sectional survey that assesses the health and nutritional status of the Korean population. A total of 6,062 individuals aged ≥19 years were in-cluded. The nutrition survey was performed using 24-h dietary recall.

▪ Content : Background and Objectives: Malnutrition has high prevalence among hospitalized patients but goes unrec-ognized in many patients. Early detection of malnutrition using an effective screening tool is required. This study aimed to examine the effects of nutritional status determined by the Nutrition Alert Form (NAF) and its individual sections on length of stay (LOS) and hospital costs in hospitalized patients, to investigate their as-sociated factors, and to determine hospital malnutrition prevalence. Methods and Study Design: This retro-spective cohort study enrolled 2,906 hospitalized patients aged ≥15 years in Ramathibodi Hospital between January and September 2016.

▪ Content : Background and Objectives: A reliable biomarker for optimal selenium (Se) intake in lactating women is not currently available. Methods and Study Design: Daily dietary Se intake in lactating women was calculated from a 24-hour meal record survey for over 3 days. Se levels in plasma and breast milk were measured through inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Plasma selenoprotein P 1 levels and glutathione pe-roxidase 3 activity were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was used to analyze proteinaceous Se species in enzymatically digested breast milk.

▪ Content : The number of older persons in Asia is expected to triple by 2050. Ageing is associated with non-communicable chronic diseases, malnutrition, and geriatric syndromes, which influences the burden on the cost related to healthcare, health outcomes, and the quality of life. Experts in the field of older adult nutrition from Asia, Australia, and Europe were invited to participate in a two-day workshop to review the available data, current policies and programs for the ageing population in different countries of Asia to identify the gaps in knowledge and to develop recommendations for action. In Asia, most of the data pertaining to health status, nutritional status, and nutrient intake of the older persons were mainly obtained by conducting studies in nursing homes or hospitals and small c...

▪ Content : Background and Objectives: Head and neck cancer patients often experience nutritional deterioration, which decreases their treatment tolerance and is associated with poor outcomes. We analyzed nutritional sta-tus in head and neck cancer patients before and during treatment, and its impact on clinical outcomes. Meth-ods and Study Design: Between January 2009 and April 2012, 336 head and neck cancer patients receiving radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy were prospectively entered into the study. The Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS 2002) assessment was used to evaluate their nutritional status.

▪ Content : Background and Objectives: Increased consumption of folic acid is prevalent, raising concerns about possi-ble adverse effects. This prospective study aimed to explore the associations between the duration of folic acid supplementation and the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in Chinese women. Methods and Study Design: A total of 326 pregnant women were prospectively included for detailed information on folic acid supplementation during pre-pregnancy and early pregnancy, lipid profiles at 16-18 weeks, and subse-quent GDM diagnosis at 24-28 weeks. Associations among folic acid supplementation, lipid profiles, and risk of GDM were analyzed using linear and logistic regression models, adjusting for potential confounders.

▪ Content : Functional foods (FF) are commonly consumed by Asians, and this trend has increased in recent years. De-spite the reported health benefits of FF, it is necessary scrutiny and updates of the underpinning research are important. The first international conference on functional food innovation in Asia (IFFA 2018) took place on January 22nd-24th, 2018, at the University of Phayao, Thailand. Domestic and international speakers, re-searchers, nutritionists, dieticians, research scholars and students shared their knowledge and experience in FF research. Key features were the potential beneficial roles of FF in health and disease, the current situation with FF in Asia and innovative trends. The IFFA 2018 involved 2 keynote speakers, 34 invited speakers and 10 sessions.

▪ Content : Background and Objectives: Lifestyle-related risks are linked to several non-communicable diseases, with enormous global mortality and economic cost. Women in Saudi Arabia are faced with high prevalence of obesity, inactivity and sedentary behaviours. This study examined the interaction effects of gender with obe-sity status and lifestyle behaviours among Saudi adolescents. Methods and Study Design: A total of 2888 adolescents (1500 females) aged 15-19 years were randomly selected from secondary schools in three major cities in Saudi Arabia, using a multistage stratified cluster sampling technique. Weight, height and waist cir-cumference were measured and physical activity (PA), screen time, sleep duration and dietary habits were as-sessed using a validated questionnaire. ANCOVA and m...

▪ Content : Background and Objectives: Types and amounts of nutrients may influence the volume of subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) and visceral adipose tissue (VAT). This study targeted to investigate the relationship be-tween SAT and VAT volumes and macro- and micronutrients intake among adults. Methods and Study De-sign: Data were collected via a private face-to-face interview, in which diet history was obtained using vali-dated quantitative food frequency questionnaire. The different fat volumes were assessed using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanning.

▪ Content : Background and Objectives: Poor sleep quality is prevalent among hemodialysis (HD) patients and leads to adverse health outcomes. This study investigated the association of nutritional parameters with sleep quality among Malaysian HD patients. Methods and Study Design: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 184 Malaysian HD patients. Anthropometric measurements and handgrip strength (HGS) were obtained using standardized protocols. Relevant biochemical indicators were retrieved from patients’ medical records. Nutri-tional status was assessed using the dialysis malnutrition score. The sleep quality of patients was determined using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index questionnaire on both dialysis and non-dialysis days.

▪ Content : Background and Objectives: The Chinese national standard of formula for 6–12-month-old infants (GB 10767-2010) requires review and revision because it does not correspond to current scientific knowledge and data. The aim of this paper was to summarize the formula composition recommended for 6–12-month-old infants by a Chinese expert group. Methods and Study Design: Formula composition recommendations for 6–12-month-old infants were devised by a Chinese expert group based on a detailed systematic review, which included nutrient intake, nutrient content of Chinese women’s breast milk, and the latest adequate in-take and tolerable upper intake levels, also referencing the Codex Alimentarius recommendations and those of other countries and considering the practice in products on the m...

▪ Content : Background and Objectives: By combining the techniques of metabolomics and computational biology, this research aims to explore the mechanism of metabolic dynamics in critically injured patients and develop a new early warning method for mortality. Methods and Study Design: A prospective cohort study was con-ducted, group plasma samples of critically injured patients were collected for 1H-NMR metabolomics analy-sis. The data was processed with partial least squares regression, to explore the role of enzyme-gene network regulatory mechanism in critically injured metabolic network regulation and to build a quantitative prediction model for early warning of fast death.

▪ Content : Background and Objectives: Information about an association between animal food intakes and risk of anemia is still limited. This study aimed to investigate the association between fish and meat intake and ane-mia risk in the Japanese elderly. Methods and Study Design: A nationally representative sample of 6,469 aged 65 years and over was obtained from pooled data of annual National Health and Nutritional Survey in Japan during 2002–2011. Anemia was defined as hemoglobin concentrations <13.0 g/dL in males and <12.0 g/dL in females. Logistic regression analysis, with the lowest intake tertile as the reference, was applied to es-timate anemia risk for each nutrient and food group.

▪ Content : Background and Objectives: Oats contain antioxidant phytochemicals that may help reduce inflammation as well as oxidative stress. In this study we aimed to investigate the effect of oat porridge consumption on in-flammatory marker levels and oxidative stress in Thai adults with high blood lipid levels. Methods and Study Design: A randomized crossover study was conducted. Hypercholesterolemic adults were randomly assigned to a 4-week daily consumption of oat or rice porridge.

▪ Content : Background and Objectives: This study assessed the bioavailability and biological incorporation of non-heme iron from staple food diets in healthy young urban Chinese women and determined the relevant effects of typical regional patterns of staple foods in South and North China. Methods and Study Design: Twenty-two young urban Chinese women aged 20–23 years were enrolled and randomly allocated to two groups, with rice (rice group) and steamed buns (steamed buns group) as the staple food, respectively.

▪ Content : Background and Objectives: Few studies have described the socioeconomic disparity of dietary quality in Northwest China. The present study aimed to evaluate the diet quality of pregnant women in Shaanxi prov-ince of Northwest China by using the Diet Balance Index for Pregnancy (DBI-P) and explored the relation-ships with socioeconomic status (SES). Methods and Study Design: A cross-sectional analysis of data from 7,630 women who were pregnant during 2012-2013 was performed. Dietary intake during the whole preg-nancy was assessed by FFQ within 12 months (median, 3 months; 10th-90th percentile, 0-7 months) after de-livery.

▪ Content : Indian subcontinent over many years. Our study was conducted in Tikamgarh district of Madhya Pradesh, an iodine deficiency disorders-endemic district, with the objective to estimate total goitre rate and iodine nutri-tion status. Methods and Study Design: A cross-sectional study with 30 cluster sampling was conducted be-tween June to July 2016 among school-going children in the age group of 6-12 years. Ninety children from each school (30x90=2700) were selected for the assessment of Goitre.