This issue of Topics in Clinical Nutrition focusses on timely areas of interest among dietetic practitioners: complementary therapies, research in practice, and marketing food to children. The series on skill development is continued in this issue with a communications and education article.
Byham-Gray reviewed a number of articles written over the past 2 decades on the research activities of clinical dietitians. The review revealed a number of consistent findings. Dietitians found research to be very important to clinical practice but many barriers exist on a day-to-day basis. The barriers centered around the resources of time and money. However, the more recent literature indicates a strong desire by clinical practitioners for research mentors and education.
Lambert et al presented a focus group study that examined benefits and barriers to weight loss in overweight/obese postpartum women in a WIC program. The authors also identify intervention measures that the program could take to support the weight loss efforts of the WIC participants. The qualitative study identifies common themes with selected comments from the focus group participants that could be incorporated in other states.
Thomson and Newton's article provides a substantial overview of the state-of-the-art in the assessment and application of complementary and alternative nutrition therapies. By covering a broad and far-ranging topic, the authors highlight the major considerations for nutrition professionals working with other health professionals. In addition, they make recommendations for the most useful resources to assist clinicians in daily practice.
Thomson and Newton's article is accompanied by a report of a conference on the practice of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) research by health and nursing professionals. The nutrition lecture by Thomson and Newton is "complemented" with presentations by a lawyer, 2 nurses, and a physical therapist in support of the need for an aggressive research agenda. The recommendations and principles of the White House Commission on CAM Policy are also included.
An innovative dietetics program was established at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey School of Health Related Professions in 2003. This new program option for advanced clinical practitioners is described and contrasted to other programs for health professionals. The competencies for the Advanced Practice Doctorate in Clinical Nutrition are presented along with a profile of the current students in the program.
Conklin and Parks address the important subject of marketing strategies for children to maximize the effectiveness of food and nutrition professionals. They conclude that several strategies are necessary to reverse the trends in child and adult obesity, and food and nutrition professionals have been adept at both the art and science of social change campaigns.
Three book reviews are featured in this issue on a variety of topics-immune function, overweight children, and calcium. Other book reviewers are requested to contribute for future issues. The skill development series includes an article by Holli, Calabrase, and O'Sullivan Maillet reprinted from the 4th edition of Communication and Education Skills for Dietetic Professionals. In addition, the acknowledgment for reviewing a manuscript missed an important contributor, Christopher Berger, PhD, who both wrote an article and was a reviewer for TICN in 2004.
Much appreciation for your continued support.
Judith A. Gilbride, PhD, RD, FADA
Editor