Nutrition
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Child undernutrition is a major public health problem. Globally in 2020, 149 million children <5 y of age were estimated to be stunted (too short for age), 45 million to be wasted (too thin for height), and 38.9 million were overweight. The aim of this review was to examine previous studies to determine the factors associated with malnutrition and contribute to the existing body of evidence needed for the formulation of effective interventions. ⋯ The most consistent factors associated with child malnutrition were maternal education, household income, maternal nutritional status, age of the child, availability of sanitation facility at home, size of family, birth order in the family, and child's birth weight. Breastfeeding and caring practices, cooking area and the fuel used, sex, and socioeconomic status of the children also contribute toward child malnutrition.
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This study aimed to compare the accuracy of four machine-learning (ML) algorithms, using two classification schemes, to predict undernutrition based on individual and household risk factors. ⋯ The random forest algorithm performed best in predicting undernutrition among Filipino elementary schoolchildren, although results could be improved with bootstrap aggregation. The AMDR classification shows potential for targeting feeding beneficiaries. However, local dietary culture should be considered in the development of nutrition interventions. Government use of big-data techniques such as ML must also address underrepresentation in health data collected from and accessible to poor populations or risk further marginalizing them.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
One week of high-fat overfeeding alters bone metabolism in healthy males: A pilot study.
Short periods of excessive consumption of indulgent high-fat foods are common in Western society, but the effect this has on bone is unknown. The aim of this pilot study was to explore how a 7-d hyperenergetic, high-fat diet affects candidate biomarkers of bone metabolism. ⋯ A 7-d hyperenergetic, high-fat diet reduces a marker of bone formation but does not affect a marker of bone resorption. This pilot study suggested that short periods of excessive energy and fat consumption may detrimentally affect bone health.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Prickly pear juice consumption after fat intake affects postprandial heart rate variability but not traditional risk factors of cardiovascular disease in healthy men.
Prickly Pear (PP) fruit is proposed to have anti-atherosclerotic and anti-hyperglycemic effects. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of a single consumption of PP juice on modifiable blood and physiological markers of cardiovascular disease risk in healthy men using a postprandial hyperlipidemia model. ⋯ Consumption of PP (with high-fat muffin), did not alter traditional cardiovascular disease risk responses but rather markers of HRV, beyond an expected increase in glucose attributed to the carbohydrate content of the trials foods. Additionally, macronutrient content is important when understanding HRV responses to meals.
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Disease-related malnutrition remains a major burden for patients and health care systems. The Medication Pass Nutritional Supplement Program (MEDPass) involves providing patients with oral nutritional supplements (ONS) in unusually small amounts three to four times per day during medication rounds. This systematic review aims to evaluate the impact of MEDPass ONS administration on compliance, total energy and protein intake, food intake, body weight and handgrip strength in hospitalized adults and nursing-home residents. ⋯ We conclude that MEDPass ONS administration increases compliance in hospitalized adults and nursing-home residents. For all other outcomes, robust and well-powered trials are necessary.