The beginning of a new year brings new challenges and opportunities for all of us. Fortunately, advances in scientific inquiry remain a priority for our readership and our profession. The articles in this issue look at problems by questioning, testing, and measuring practice and expanding a global focus with studies in Mexico and India.
Thompson et al examine an unusual condition, superior mesenteric artery syndrome. The authors of this review provide an overview of the condition with an emphasis on nutritional adequacy and treatment.
Nonalcoholic fatty acid liver disease (NAFLD) continues to be of interest to clinicians because of its prevalence among pediatric patients. Moran and colleagues report on a lifestyle intervention for children who are obese and have NAFLD. Nutrition education seems to be an effective way to alter disease progression. The investigators initiate a 4-month counseling program on nutrition and health for 46 children with NAFLD and their parents. The intervention outcomes show some success in lowering body mass indexes and selected biomarkers. A second article is a review by Patusco and colleagues exploring the association of fructose and sugar-sweetened beverage consumption on NAFLD and its risk factors.
Plant et al test a tool to measure research involvement of registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) in clinical practice. As a validation study, the survey tool, Practice-Based Dietitian Research Involvement Survey (PBDRIS), indicates good content reliability and adequate correlations. They recommend the PBDRIS tool for measuring future research-based practice.
A conundrum for clinicians is how to determine energy requirements for their patients and clients. Herrington et al use an online questionnaire and survey 5000 RDNs on this question. A 20% response rate shows that the most frequent determinations of energy estimates were the application of predictive equations in inpatient and outpatient settings.
A cluster trial in India compared usual care or evidence-based nutrition practice guidelines (EBNPG) for 238 diabetic patients by Myers and her colleagues. Both groups made significant improvements for altering hemoglobin A1c. However, the patients in the EBNPG group were more likely to meet goals for low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein, and triglycerides levels at 6 months and 1 year. Various barriers and supports for instituting EBNPG are also discussed.
College students estimated portion sizes for a project by Joram and Weigel. Participants trained in approximating correct portions sizes for savory and sweet snack foods were more accurate in their decisions and retained their estimation skills longer than those who did not receive the intervention.
Thanks to all of you for your contributions to the journal, Topics in Clinical Nutrition. We appreciate your attention to detail in writing and revising manuscripts, sharing your experiences in clinical practice, and advancing the profession of nutrition and dietetics.
-Judith A. Gilbride, PhD, RD, FADA
Editor