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Background Nutrition guidelines recommendations differ on the use of parenteral nutrition (PN), and existing clinical trial data are inconclusive. Our recent observational data show that amounts of energy/protein received early in the intensive care unit (ICU) affect patient mortality, particularly for inadequate nutrition intake in patients with body mass indices (BMIs) of <25 or >35. Thus, we hypothesized increased nutrition delivery via supplemental PN (SPN) + enteral nutrition (EN) to underweight and obese ICU patients would improve 60-day survival and quality of life (QoL) versus usual care (EN alone). Methods In this multicenter, randomized, controlled pilot trial completed in 11 centers across four countries, adult ICU patients with acute respiratory failure expected to require mechanical ventilation for >72 hours and with a BMI of <25 or ≥35 were randomized to receive EN alone or SPN + EN to reach 100% of their prescribed nutrition goal for 7 days after randomization. The primary aim of this pilot trial was to achieve a 30% improvement in nutrition delivery. Results In total, 125 patients were enrolled. Over the first 7 post-randomization ICU days, patients in the SPN + EN arm had a 26% increase in delivered calories and protein, whereas patients in the EN-alone arm had a 22% increase (both p  < 0.001). Surgical ICU patients received poorer EN nutrition delivery and had a significantly greater increase in calorie and protein delivery when receiving SPN versus medical ICU patients. SPN proved feasible to deliver with our prescribed protocol. In this pilot trial, no significant outcome differences were observed between groups, including no difference in infection risk. Potential, although statistically insignificant, trends of reduced hospital mortality and improved discharge functional outcomes and QoL outcomes in the SPN + EN group versus the EN-alone group were observed. Conclusions Provision of SPN + EN significantly increased calorie/protein delivery over the first week of ICU residence versus EN alone. This was achieved with no increased infection risk. Given feasibility and consistent encouraging trends in hospital mortality, QoL, and functional endpoints, a full-scale trial of SPN powered to assess these clinical outcome endpoints in high-nutritional-risk ICU patients is indicated—potentially focusing on the more poorly EN-fed surgical ICU setting. Trial registration NCT01206166

Background: The effects of fruits and vegetables in solid vs beverage forms on human appetite and food intake, acutely and chronically, are unclear. Methods: This 21-week, randomized, crossover study assessed appetitive ratings following the inclusion of fruits and vegetables, in solid and beverage form, into the habitual diet of healthy lean ( n =15) and overweight/obese ( n =19) adults with low customary consumption. The primary acute outcomes were satiation (amount of challenge meal consumed), satiety (latency of subsequent eating event) and dietary compensation after a 400 kcal fruit preload. Ratings of appetite were also obtained before and after 8 weeks of required increased fruit and vegetable consumption (20% estimated energy requirement). Results: Acutely, overweight/obese participants reported smaller reductions of hunger after consuming the fruit preload in beverage compared with solid form (preload × form × body mass index effects, P =0.03). Participants also consumed significantly less of a challenge meal (in both gram and energy) after the ingestion of the solid fruit preload ( P <0.005). However, the subsequent meal latency was not significantly different between the solid and the beverage fruit preloads. Total daily energy intake was significantly higher when the obese participants consumed the beverage fruit preload compared with the solid ( P <0.001). Daily energy intake was markedly, but not significantly, higher among the lean with the beverage vs solid food form. Hunger and fullness ratings remained stable when participants consumed fruits and vegetables in solid or beverage form for 8 weeks each. Conclusion: Acute post-ingestive appetitive responses were weaker following consumption of fruits in beverage vs solid food forms. Consumption of beverage or solid fruit and vegetable food loads for 8 weeks did not chronically alter appetitive responses.

Food-assisted maternal and child health and nutrition programmes usually target underweight children younger than 5 years of age. Previous evidence suggests that targeting nutrition interventions earlier in life, before children become undernourished, might be more effective for reduction of childhood undernutrition. We used a cluster randomised trial to compare two World Vision programmes for maternal and child health and nutrition, which included a behaviour change and communication component: a preventive model, targeting all children aged 6–23 months; and a recuperative model, targeting underweight (weight-for-age Z score <−2) children aged 6–60 months. Both models also targeted pregnant and lactating women. Clusters of communities (n=20) were paired on access to services and other factors and were randomly assigned to each model. Using two cross-sectional surveys (at baseline and 3 years later), we tested differences in undernutrition in children aged 12–41 months (roughly 1500 children per survey). Analyses were by intention to treat, both by pair-wise community-level comparisons and by child-level analyses adjusting for the clustering effect and child age and sex. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00210418. There were no differences between programme groups at baseline. At follow-up, stunting, underweight, and wasting (using WHO 2006 reference data) were 4–6 percentage points lower in preventive than in recuperative communities; and mean anthropometric indicators were higher by +0·14 Z scores (height for age; p=0·07), and +0·24 Z scores (weight for age and weight for height; p<0·0001). The effect was greater in children exposed to the preventive programme for the full span between 6 and 23 months of age than in children exposed for shorter durations during this period. The quality of implementation did not differ between the two programmes; nor did use of services for maternal and child health and nutrition. The preventive programme was more effective for the reduction of childhood undernutrition than the traditional recuperative model.

Background Food insecurity in sub-Saharan Africa and malnutrition constitute the main obstacles for successful treatment of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH). The aim of this study was to assess the effect of consuming daily 100 g RUTF (ready-to-use therapeutic food) as supplement, on body composition, anemia and zinc status of hospitalized PLWH in Senegal. Methods A Controlled clinical trial was conducted in 65 PLWH randomly allocated to receive either standard hospital diet alone (Control group: n  = 33), or the standard diet supplemented with 100 g RUTF/day (RUTF group: n  = 32). Supplementation was continued at home during 9 weeks. Individual dietary intakes were measured and compared to the Recommended Dietary Allowances. Body composition was determined using Bio-Impedance Analysis. Hemoglobin was measured by HemoCue and plasma zinc (PZ) concentration by atomic absorption spectrometry. PZ was adjusted to infection (CRP and α1-AGP). All measures were conducted on admission, discharge and after 9 weeks home-based follow up. Results 34 and 24 % of the patients in RUTF and Control groups were suffering from severe malnutrition (BMI < 16 kg/m 2 ), respectively. In both groups, more than 90 % were anemic and zinc deficiency affected over 50 % of the patients. Food consumed by the Control group represented 75, 14 and 55 % of their daily recommended intake (DRI) of energy, iron and zinc, respectively. When 100 g of RUTF was consumed with the standard diet, the DRI of energy and zinc were 100 % covered (2147 kcal, 10.4 mg, respectively), but not iron (2.9 mg). After 9 weeks of supplementation, body weight, and fat-free mass increased significantly by +11 % ( p = 0.033 ), and +11.8 % ( p = 0.033 ) in the RUTF group, but not in the Control group, while percentage body fat was comparable between groups ( p = 0.888 ). In the RUTF group, fat free mass gain is higher in the patients on ART (+11.7 %, n  = 14; p = 0.0001) than in those without ART (+6.2 %, n  = 6; p = 0.032 ). Anemia decreased significantly with the supplementation, but zinc status, measured using plasma zinc concentration, remained unchanged. Conclusion Improving PLWH’ diet with 100 g RUTF for a long period has a positive impact on muscle mass and anemia but not on the zinc status of the patients. Trial number NCT02433743 , registered 29 April 2015.

Background Child and infant malnourishment is a significant and growing problem in the developing world. Malnourished children are at high risk for negative health outcomes over their lifespans. Philani, a paraprofessional home visiting program, was developed to improve childhood nourishment. The objective of this study is to evaluate whether the Philani program can rehabilitate malnourished children in a timely manner. Methods Mentor Mothers were trained to conduct home visits. Mentor Mothers went from house to house in assigned neighborhoods, weighed children age 5 and younger, and recruited mother-child dyads where there was an underweight child. Participating dyads were assigned in a 2:1 random sequence to the Philani intervention condition (n = 536) or a control condition (n = 252). Mentor Mothers visited dyads in the intervention condition for one year, supporting mothers' problem-solving around nutrition. All children were weighed by Mentor Mothers at baseline and three, six, nine and twelve month follow-ups. Results By three months, children in the intervention condition were five times more likely to rehabilitate (reach a healthy weight for their ages) than children in the control condition. Throughout the course of the study, 43% (n = 233 of 536) of children in the intervention condition were rehabilitated while 31% (n = 78 of 252) of children in the control condition were rehabilitated. Conclusions Paraprofessional Mentor Mothers are an effective strategy for delivering home visiting programs by providing the knowledge and support necessary to change the behavior of families at risk.

Abstract Background The brown adipose tissue (BAT) is a potential target for the treatment of obesity and metabolic disorders. Its activation by cold exposure or adrenergic drugs can increase systemic insulin sensitivity and improve lipid metabolism; however, little is known about the effects of specific dietary components on BAT activity. Objectives We asked if a short-term (4 weeks) dietary intervention with olive oil could modify BAT activity in lean and overweight/obese volunteers. Design This was a 4-week open clinical trial in which all participants underwent a dietary intervention with extra-virgin olive oil supplementation. As the initial intake of olive oil was controlled all the participants were controls of themselves. Results The intervention resulted in significant increase in blood monounsaturated fatty acid levels, which was accompanied by increased BAT activity in lean but not in overweight/obese volunteers. In the lean group, an increase in leptin was detected after the intervention, and low leptin values at the beginning of the study were predictive of greater BAT activity after intervention. In addition, increase in leptin concentration was associated with increased BAT activity. Three known endogenous mediators of BAT activity, secretin, fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), and 12,13-dihydroxy-9Z-octadecenoic acid (12,13-diHOME) were increased by intervention in lean, whereas only secretin and FGF21 were increased in subjects with excessive weight. Conclusion This study provides clinical evidence for the impact of monounsaturated fatty acids on BAT activity and an advance in the understanding of the beneficial health effects of olive oil.

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of low maternal weight at pre-pregnancy and the average gestational weight gain on undernourished children and their intellectual development. From October 2012 to September 2013, we followed 1744 offspring of women who participated in a trial conducted from 2002 to 2006. Pregnant women recruited in the original trial could receive three prenatal health checks for free, at which maternal weight and height were measured. WISC-IV was used to estimate the intellectual development of children. Weight and height of both pregnant women and children were measured by trained anthropometrists using standard procedures. Having low maternal weight at pre-pregnancy was associated with an increased risk of undernutrition amongst children (underweight: OR = 2.02, 95%CI: 1.14–3.56, thinness: OR = 2.79, 95%CI: 1.50–5.17) and a decrease in verbal comprehension index (−2.70 points, 95%CI: −4.95–0.44) of children. The effect of average gestational weight gain on occurrences of underweight children (OR = 0.08, 95%CI: 0.01–0.55) was also found. We identified the effect of maternal pre-pregnancy underweight on impairment of the separate intellectual domains (verbal comprehension index) and increasing occurrence of undernourished children. Average gestational weight gain was positively associated with a decreased prevalence of underweight children but not with the intellectual development of children in rural China.

Weight-for-age z-score (WAZ) is not currently an admission criterion to therapeutic feeding programs, and children with low WAZ at high risk of mortality may not be admitted. We conducted a secondary analysis of RCT data to assess response to treatment according to WAZ and mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) and type of feeding protocol given: a simplified, combined protocol for severe and moderate acute malnutrition (SAM and MAM) vs. standard care that treats SAM and MAM, separately. Children with a moderately low MUAC (11.5–12.5 cm) and a severely low WAZ (<−3) respond similarly to treatment in terms of both weight and MUAC gain on either 2092 kJ (500 kcal)/day of therapeutic or supplementary food. Children with a severely low MUAC (<11.5 cm), with/without a severely low WAZ (<−3), have similar recovery with the combined protocol or standard treatment, though WAZ gain may be slower in the combined protocol. A limitation is this analysis was not powered for these sub-groups specifically. Adding WAZ < −3 as an admission criterion for therapeutic feeding programs admitting children with MUAC and/or oedema may help programs target high-risk children who can benefit from treatment. Future work should evaluate the optimal treatment protocol for children with a MUAC < 11.5 and/or WAZ < −3.0.

•Smoking and leanness increase the risk for a small for gestational age (SGA) newborn; certain foods may counteract this risk.•Diet does not modify the risk for SGA associated with having had a previous SGA-low birth weight newborn.•Fruit intake reduces the risk for SGA associated with tobacco.•Legume and fish intake reduce the SGA risk associated with maternal body mass index <20 kg/m2. The aim of this study was to assess whether diet variables can neutralize the risk produced by three well-known risk factors for being small for gestational age: smoking, body mass index (BMI) ˂20 kg/m2, and having a previous preterm/low birth weight (LBW) newborn. A matched case control study was conducted (518 cases and 518 controls of pregnant women) in Spain. We collected data on demographic characteristics, socioeconomic status, toxic habits, and diet. Dietary intake during pregnancy was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire, categorized into quintiles. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated by conditional regression logistic models. Women who smoked during pregnancy had a 78% increased risk for having an SGA newborn (aOR, 1.78; 95% CI, 1.28–2.74). Lean women (BMI ˂ 20 kg/m2 before pregnancy) augmented the risk 139% (aOR, 2.39; 95% CI, 1.68–3.40), and those with a previous SGA-LBW an increase of 160% (aOR, 2.60; 95% CI, 1.53–4.37). Smoking in women with a fruit intake of ≥421 g/d was not associated with a higher risk for SGA versus non-smoking women with the same fruit intake (aOR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.41–2.33). A BMI <20 kg/m2 with an intake of ≥33 g/d of legumes did not increase the risk for SGA versus women with a BMI ≥20 kg/m2 with the same legume intake (aOR, 1.35; 95% CI, 0.54–3.37). Diet did not modify the risk by having a previous SGA-LBW newborn. Smoking and leanness increased the SGA risk; nevertheless foods such as fruit, fish, and legumes, as well as intake of vitamins D and B3 and ω-3 marine fatty acids, may “at” least partially counteract this increase.

It was recently postulated that a nutritional intervention aiming at achieving weight gain might increase survival in ALS patients. This article discusses the effect of nutritional status and weight gain on survival, respiratory status and physical function. Based on the available literature, it remains unknown whether weight gain during the progression of the disease improves survival whatever the baseline body weight is. A high body mass index may impair respiratory muscle function and passive mobilization of paretic patients. Future research should evaluate the effect of changes in weight and body composition on clinical outcome while taking into account respiratory muscle strength and physical function. •Body mass index (BMI) <18.5 kg/m2 appears to decrease survival, whereas BMI in the overweight and obese range seems to improve survival in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.•Weight gain may improve survival but the effect of changes in body composition, physical activity, and modalities of nutritional and ventilatory support remains largely unknown.•Recommendations regarding weight gain may depend on nutritional status, respiratory function, and patient's mobility.