Undernutrition Treatments, Prevention and Risk of Refeeding Syndrome

Since its introduction in the 1950s, the TNM staging system has been regarded as the most important prognostic cancer classification method.

Obesity is a complex disease of multifaceted etiology, with its own pathophysiology, comorbidities, and inflammatory profile. Accepting obesity as an inflammatory process is a key process to its treatment. Currently, the adipose tissue is a major focus of research in obesity due to an evolution in the understanding of the biological function of this tissue over the last decade. It is known that adipose tissue secretes multiple bioactive peptides, termed adipokines (proteins synthesized and secreted by adipose tissue) with specific actions towards inflammation. Also, many studies have shown an anti-inflammatory role for both Omega-3 supplementation and moderate aerobic exercise. Thus, the objective of this review is to approach the relationship between obesity and inflammatory adipokines, and discuss the role of Omega-3 and aerobic exercise in the treatment of this pathology. In this narrative review data collection has been performed through research articles published in the last five years through sites like PubMed and SCIELO, including some classic articles. It has been found that the Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFAs) supplementation may be an alternative, however its use targeting the decrease in inflammation caused by obesity has little scientific evidence; nevetheless, the role of aerobic exercise as an important concomitant intervention practice is well established, due to its implications both in the hypothalamic and endocrine anti-inflammatory process.

The problem of overweight and obesity has reached epidemic proportions worldwide, and the high prevalence is due in part to the consumption of high-fat and high-energy diet. Recent research revealed that it was necessary to consider not only the quantity, but also the quality of fat in diets. Fatty acid analysis is an important tool both for characterizing fats and oils and for determining the total fat content in foods. To date, Gas Chromatography (GC) has become an important technique in fatty acid analysis because accurate results can be obtained for complex, as well as simple, sample matrices. This review presented various analytical methods including GC developed for identification and accurate quantification of dietary fatty acids. The potential health effects of fatty acids were also discussed.

This review is intended to provide information on recent research on the nutritional composition of the soybean, how soy can be used in the vegetarian and vegan diet, its use in diet therapy for some diseases, and how isoflavones in the soybean are related to health outcomes. Much research has been focused on the nutritional composition of soybeans in the past 30 years; in particular breeding and genetic engineering have the potential to alter soybeans. The protein, oil, and bioactive components of soy have been closely scrutinized; recent advances and challenges are outlined. The use of soy products has increased dramatically in the U.S. due to recognized correlations with positive health outcomes in those populations who consume much soy food products. Therefore, soy consumption has also been well studied for meeting nutritional needs of vegetarians and vegans, and those with health issues such as chronic kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer. Finally, bioactive components of soybean, including isoflavones, have emerging promise, but there are conflicting results regarding correlations and effects on health outcomes, including reducing menopausal symptoms, reducing risk of bone disease and some cancers. The purpose of this review is to provide information regarding recent advances in the composition of the soybean, its use in health and disease.

SM Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism (SMJNM) is an International Peer Reviewed Open Access journal presenting original research contributions and scientific advances in the field of Nutrition and Metabolism. SMJNM will publish articles that integrate nutrition with biochemistry and molecular & cellular biology. The open access process is chosen to provide rapid and accessible dissemination of new results and perspectives in a field that is of great current interest. Manuscripts in all areas of nutritional biochemistry will be considered. The need for the journal is identified in the epidemic of obesity, diabetes, metabolic syndrome (dyslipidemias) and related diseases, and a sudden increase in popular diets, as well as renewed interest in intermediary metabolism.

China has been undergoing a dramatic transition in food consumption since a few decades ago. The composition of diet has changed significantly. We assessed the trend of dietary diversity in China with four indicators. Count Index (Count), Dietary Diversity Score (DDS), Entropy (Entropy) and Simpson Index (Simpson) were adopted to measure the dietary diversity of 24542 adults (>17 years) through the data of 4 rounds (2004, 2006, 2009, 2011) of China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS). Results indicated that dietary diversity increased over time, and it was unequally distributed among different regions and families. Further investigation found that it was positively associated with accessibility of food (p<0.01) and other social-economic factors such as family income, household size, gender, age, education and region.

There is growing evidence that overweight or obese patients with cardiovascular disease survive longer than their normal-weight counterparts, an effect called the “Obesity paradox”. Similar effect might exist in patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), however, results conflict; some studies confirm such effect while others observed negative associations between higher BMI and mortality rates. A brief review of the more powerful studied suggest that obesity paradox in T2DM people is rather product of studies biases than a real biological phenomenon.

In endemic countries, Plasmodium falciparum, a pathogenic agent of malaria remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality of children under five years

Background: The nutritional quality of the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) meals has been criticized as a major contributor to the obesity epidemic in U.S. children. There is need to determine the actual gram consumption and compare the energy and macronutrient contributions of these meals with foods eaten when not at school. Objectives: To determine if photography is a reliable data collection tool for measuring food intakes of high school students who participate in the NSLP. Secondly, to compare the energy and macronutrient content of the NSLP meals with meals eaten when not at school and along with student’s Body Mass Index (BMI). Methods: Researchers measured the amounts of food consumed by the students in one high school in Illinois using photographs of before and after food trays and weighed food wastes for comparisons. Actual wastes were weighed and compared with the estimated gram wastes by blinded independent observers. Estimated percentage wastes were converted into gram amounts based on actual gram weight of the food items. Students completed a demographic and physical activity questionnaire and a 3- day food record to determine the contribution of calories and macronutrients consumed when not at school. Self-reported heights and weights were used to determine BMI. Thirty-six students from grades 9-12 participated in this pilot study, mean age was 16.41±1.30. Results: Significantly high inter-rater reliability (r= 0.966, p<0.001) was found for photographic estimates and actual gram amounts of food consumed. Paired samples t-test for calories and macronutrients was significant (p<0.05) for meals eaten when not at school with those provided by the NSLP lunch meal. Overall, the NSLP meals provided fewer calories and macronutrients. Mean BMI was 23.09±3.74. High BMI was reported despite being physically active. Conclusion: High inter-rater reliability was found for photographic estimates and actual food waste. Photography is a reliable tool for measuring food intakes of high school students. Energy and macronutrient intakes were higher for meals eaten when not at school compared to that provided by the NSLP. BMI was not related to calories provided by the NSLP meal nor physical activity.

Background: Philadelphia has a high prevalence of hypertension, heart disease, diabetes and obesity. To reduce chronic disease, there is a need for targeted, innovative community-based interventions to improve the food and physical activity environments for urban residents. This case study describes the development and evaluation of a pilot program to address barriers to healthy food access and physical activity environments in a West Philadelphia neighborhood.

Community context: The Our Healthy Block (OHB) intervention took place on three blocks in West Philadelphia. Project staff worked closely with the local community association and the neighborhood Community Development Corporation.

Methods: The intervention was informed by a community advisory board and by findings from a mixed- method study of food and physical activity environments in the same community. Project staff facilitated block- based events and other activities in the neighborhood, working with Block Captains. Evaluation included baseline and follow-up surveys of residents, tracking of activity participation and ratings, and interviews.

Outcome: Block-based events were well attended, but fewer residents attended activities at locations outside the block areas. Surveys revealed a trend toward reduced consumption of high-fat foods. There were no significant changes in other key outcomes.

Interpretation: Overall, the OHB intervention was well received, particularly when activities were hosted on participating blocks. To maximize participation and impact nutrition and activity behaviors, events should be held in close proximity to residents’ homes. The program impact was limited by lower participation at other locations and by communication challenges and time constraints of community partners and residents.