bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dietary sources of iron in English adolescents
Authors: Moynihan P. J. , Anderson C. , Adamson A. J. , Rugg‐Gunn A. J. , Appleton D. R. , Butler T. J.
Published: March 2008

Adolescents have been identified as a group in which iron intake may be inadequate. Previous studies have reported values for total iron intake but few have reported iron intake from different dietary sources. Information on the proportion of dietary iron provided by different food groups provides a clearer insight into the adequacy of the diet and assists health education.

This paper reports the contribution of different food groups to total iron intake in 379, 11 to 12‐year‐old, adolescents. Each child completed two 3‐day dietary records between January and July 1990, and was interviewed by one dietitian to clarify information recorded. Food tables were used to calculate nutrient intake.

Total iron intake was 11.7 mg/day in boys and 11.2 mg/day in girls. The four most important sources of iron were meat and meat products (18.7%), breakfast cereals (14.8%), bread (11.9%) and potatoes (11.1%). Vegetables contributed only 3.4%. An appreciable amount of iron was derived from chocolate (4.1%). Less ‘desirable’ foods i.e. crisps, chips and chocolate together accounted for 13% of the total iron intake. The contribution to total iron intake by each source was similar for boys and girls.
Endogenous bacterial contamination of enteral tube feeding systems during administration of feeds to hospital patients
Authors: McKinlay J. , Anderton A. , Wood W. , Gould I. M.
Published: March 2008

The use of sterile, prepackaged enteral feeds has helped to reduce the risk of exogenous microbial contamination of enteral feeds but there is increasing evidence that endogenous contamination with bacteria from the patient's own flora may occur. The purpose of this study was to compare the levels and types of micro‐organisms present in residual feed in nutrient containers and giving sets when either 500 or 1000 ml prefilled, ready‐to‐hang nutrient containers were used to administer 1000 and 2000 ml quantities of feed to patients on hospital wards over 24 h using a single giving set over this period. Forty‐one adult patients were randomly allocated to receive either 1000 or 2000 ml of sterile undiluted, whole protein feed over 24 h from 1000 ml prefilled containers (Nutrison Steriflo, Cow and Gate Nutricia Ltd) or from 500 ml prefilled bottles (Osmolite, Abbott Laboratories Ltd). One giving set was used over 24 h for each patient. Samples of feed from the nutrient containers and the distal end of each giving set were sent for microbiological analysis immediately after removal from the patient. Control experiments demonstrated that there were no micro‐organisms in the unopened feed containers and that none was introduced during the feed sampling procedure. The percentage of days on which feed samples from the nutrient containers were contaminated was $lt; 10% for feeds administered at a rate of 1000 ml over 24 h and $lt; 23% for those administered at a rate of 2000 ml over 24 h irrespective of system, which may be attributed to increased handling of systems and reuse of the giving set. However, the percentage of days on which samples from the giving sets were contaminated was 43% for all systems. In fact, on an average of 33% of days it was found that the only feed sample that was contaminated was that collected from the giving set. Counts for these samples were $lt;103 cfu/ml and the main bacteria isolated included Klebsiella spp., Enterobacter spp., Escherichia coli, Streptococcus faecalis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. These results further implicate retrograde spread of the patient's own flora as a possible source of microbial contamination of feed in the giving sets of enteral feeding systems.
Adolescent food choice: an application of the Theory of Planned Behaviour
Authors: Dennison Catherine M. , Shepherd Richard
Published: March 2008

There is consensus among recent studies that adolescents' diets are nutritionally far from ideal. In an effort to increase understanding of the factors affecting food choice decisions in this age group, Ajzen's ‘Theory of Planned Behaviour’ was employed. Six hundred and seventy‐five adolescents, comprising both males and females, from two age groups and two types of school, completed a questionnaire which focused on intentions to eat three common foods at lunchtime. Attitudes and perceptions of control were the components of the model found to account for the most variance in intentions. The addition of a novel measure of friends' behaviour increased the model's explanatory power further. Significant gender and age differences in attitudes, beliefs, levels of dietary restraint and perceived social pressure were present; effects of social background and type of school upon these variables were minimal.
The nutrient and food intakes of 16–17 year old female dieters in the UK
Authors: Crawley Helen , Shergill‐Bonnert Rita
Published: March 2008

A group of female teenage dieters was isolated from a larger national dietary survey of teenagers at 16–17 years of age. The dieting group included girls who both claimed to be dieting and who had energy intakes which were considered appropriate for weight loss, based on calculated reported energy intake to estimated basal metabolic rate cut‐off points. The nutrient intakes and food choices of dieters (n= 204) were compared with a similar sample of non‐dieters (n= 226) from the same cohort group. The mean reported energy intake of the dieters was 1604 kcals/day compared to 2460 kcals/day amongst non‐dieters. The intakes of all the macronutrients in g/day were considerably lower amongst dieters, allowing for differences in region and social class, but when expressed as a percentage of energy intake, dieters had significantly lower intakes of fat and higher intakes of protein and intrinsic sugars, milk sugars and starch. No differences were seen in the percentage of energy provided by non‐milk extrinsic sugars between the two groups. The intake of all micronutrients was substantially lower amongst dieters, allowing for regional and social class differences, and more than twice as many dieters as non‐dieters failed to achieve the reference nutrient intake (RNI) for retinol equivalents, thiamin, riboflavin, folates, vitamin B12, vitamin B6, zinc, copper and selenium. Reported food intake data for the two groups suggest that dieters consumed smaller quantities of most foods, although intakes of items associated with dieting such as low calorie soft drinks, low fat spread, skimmed milk, cottage cheese, yoghurt, salad vegetables, fruit and fruit juice were consumed in equal or greater amounts by dieters. Teenage dieters should be encouraged to include more nutrient‐dense foods in their diets such as fortified breakfast cereals and low fat dairy products in order to obtain sufficient micronutrients from a lower calorie intake.
Intrinsic, non‐milk extrinsic and milk sugar consumption by Scottish adults
Authors: Bolton‐Smith C. , Woodward M.
Published: March 2008

Dietary reference values for the different types of sugars have been set, partly based on the differences in cariogenicity between intrinsic and non‐milk extrinsic sugar. However little information is available about the usual intake of these different sugars in population groups in the UK. Using a large Scottish data base, and food frequency questionnaire information on usual dietary intake, the values for mean daily intakes of intrinsic, non‐milk extrinsic and milk sugars have been estimated by sex, age (range 25–64 years), special diet, smoking habit, body mass index and social class. The data are presented as g/day and as a percentage of total energy intake so that they may be viewed in context to the recommendations, particularly for non‐milk extrinsic sugar intake. The results illustrate that low total or non‐milk extrinsic sugar intakes are not necessarily associated with good health since men as a whole fail to meet the recommendation of less than 10% energy from non‐milk extrinsic sugar, while women as a whole do, and obesity is associated with low sugar intakes. This emphasizes the need to consider all the nutrients in a diet together, before assessing its likely ‘healthiness’.
The validation of energy and protein intakes by doubly labelled water and 24‐hour urinary nitrogen excretion in post‐obese subjects
Authors: Black A. E. , Jebb S. A. , Bingham S. A. , Runswick S. A. , Poppitt S. D.
Published: March 2008

The aim of the study was to validate three techniques of dietary assessment (weighed records, PETRA records and diet histories) in post‐obese subjects and to compare validation by doubly labelled water with validation against urinary nitrogen excretion. Eleven successful slimmers (one male and 10 females) kept weighed diet records for 21 days using both traditional scales (weighed record, WR) and the PETRA system of recording weight and food description on cassette tape; the changeover was on Day 11. Subjects were weighed on Days 1 and 21. Two diet histories (DH) were taken by different dietitians, one before and one after the study (DHA, DHB). Energy (EI) and nitrogen (NI) intakes were calculated from food tables. Total energy expenditure (TEE) was measured by the doubly labelled water method. Five 24 h urine collections validated by PABACHEK were obtained to measure urine N; seven individual collections with para‐amino‐benzoic acid (PABA) recovery $lt; 85% were rejected. Multiple regression analysis of WR and PETRA intakes showed no effect of survey method or order of survey, but significantly higher intakes on Friday to Sunday; mean intakes were adjusted to allow for variation in days of the week covered. Mean ± SD intakes from WR (7.10 ± 2.52 MJ, 10.32 ± 3.72 g N) and PETRA (7.22 ± 2.87 MJ, 10.37 ± 3.85 g N) were not significantly different. DHA estimated mean intakes lower (6.45 ± 2.66 MJ, 10.1 ± 3.2 g N) and DHB higher (7.79 ± 2.42 MJ, 11.9 ± 4.3 g N) than weighed methods, but not significantly. Reported 21‐day EI was 76% of measured TEE and urine N was 115% of diet N compared with the expected values of 100% and 82% for valid diet records indicating under‐reporting. Weight change, mean ‐ 0.75 (0.2 to ‐ 2.2) kg, suggested dieting during the recording period. Within subjects all methods tended to give similar results suggesting that personal factors strongly influence co‐operation.
Estimation of food portion size using photographs: validity, strengths, weaknesses and recommendations
Authors: Lucas F. , Niravong M. , Villeminot S. , Kaaks R. , Clavel‐Chapelon F.
Published: March 2008

Photographs are valuable aids in the estimation of food portion sizes and are easy to use in dietary surveys. As with other methods, employing photographs to estimate portion sizes consumed produces errors due to the method itself and errors from other sources such as poor recall of amounts actually eaten. This study was aimed at the first type of error and investigated errors due to the visual perception of food portions from food photographs in the absence of recall biases. Two hundred and seventy women were presented with various amounts of foods and asked to indicate the portion sizes using appropriate sets of photographs. The photographs showed three portion sizes (small, medium, large) for each of 45 foods commonly found in the French diet. The portions of real food estimated by subjects were prepared to the same weights as the portions photographed. Estimates of portion sizes were compared to the weighed amounts. They were found to be accurate within 25% in most cases. Except for three foods, errors on estimates were seen for one or more portions per food. Two patterns of errors were identified. For 22 foods, the small portion sizes were overestimated and the large portion sizes underestimated, but no error occurred with the medium portion. For 20 other foods, the three portion sizes were either all underestimated or all overestimated. The first pattern of error may be due to a general tendency to avoid extreme response categories, while the second pattern of error may be related to biased visual perception. In general, there was no obvious way to link the patterns of errors with the type or physical appearance of the foods. In conclusion, the photograph method is recommended for the assessment of portion sizes, provided that great care is taken to suggest the volume of the food portions in the photographs and in selecting a range of portions which encompasses the range of amounts of food actually consumed in the diet.
Which way to treat obesity? Emotional, eating and behavioural issues in dieting
Authors: Vigus Jane , Tata Philip , Judd Pat , Bowyert Carole , Evans Elizabeth
Published: March 2008

The roles of psychological and other factors in the treatment of obesity were examined in the context of a Community‐based Slimming Group (CSG), where some regular attenders appeared not to be benefiting as expected from the weight loss programme.

A sample of 47 women from the CSG, who were about to embark on a 6 week weight loss programme, completed a series of questionnaires examining factors such as anxiety, depression, self‐efficacy, binge eating and nutritional knowledge. Weight changes were recorded over the course of the programme and at follow up approximately 1 year later. As a basis for comparison similar data were collected from a sample of post obese (PO) women who had at one time had a body mass index (BMI) in the same range as the CSG.

Subjects attending the CSG showed a mean weight loss of 1.6 kg over the 6 week programme. This was greatest in those who were only slightly overweight, had not been to the group previously and showed only limited nutritional knowledge at baseline. Seventy per cent regained much if not all the weight or more over the subsequent year (mean weight gain 3 kg), with high levels of anxiety and binge eating the predominant psychological features of the least successful. Large initial weight loss was predictive of good short term success but a poorer long term prognosis. In general the CSG at baseline exhibited greater psychological problems and binge eating behaviour than the PO group, who (on average) showed normal psychological profiles and eating behaviour. However the means disguised a small number of PO women with quite severe psychological and eating problems.

Overall results revealed a complex interrelationship between psychological problems, binge eating, dieting behaviour and weight.
Monitoring dietary change in populations and the need for specific food targets; lessons from the North West Thames Regional Health Survey
Authors: Davenport M. , Roderick P. , Elliott L. , Victor C. , Geissler C.
Published: March 2008

Dietary goals are usually expressed in the form of consumption of absolute quantities of specific nutrients. Translating such information into food patterns is difficult. Consequently it is not easy to convey these goals in the promotion of a healthy diet or to monitor dietary change in populations. This paper explores the difficulties and advantages of a food frequency questionnaire approach as used in a large regional health survey to describe food patterns and hence to monitor change in relation to dietary variables. There was considerable variation in the frequency of consumption of individual foods between different sub‐groups in the population and these were as expected. To assess the overall diet a composite dietary index was proposed. The index score was significantly associated with various socio‐demographic and lifestyle variables. Unhealthy lifestyles were associated with low scores (i.e. an ‘unhealthy’ diet) on the index indicating a measure of validity. However there were several limitations in the food frequency questionnaire method used: neither the questionnaire nor simple global indices of a ‘healthy’ diet derived from the questions used had been validated against a more robust quantifiable measure of diet; some of the questions were not specific for population groups of interest; some questions grouped foods in categories that masked differences in consumption and several did not correspond to recent food targets; and finally there was no energy adjustment, which meant that the obese appeared to have a healthy dietary pattern. The use of a valid set of food frequency questions as an efficient and practical way of monitoring a population's diet by survey is suggested. The questions must be validated against reliable measures of nutrients, and be compatible with food targets based on nutritional recommendations.
Adjustment in energy intake following the covert removal of sugar from the diet
Authors: Naismith D. J. , Rhodes C.
Published: March 2008

The response to the covert removal of around 500 kcal/d from the food of 10 healthy free‐living male volunteers was measured over 10 days. A similar amount of energy was added to the food of four subjects. Normal food and drink was available ad libitum, and adjustments in food energy were made by the interchange of sugar and artificial sweeteners. Compensation for the theoretical energy deficit or surplus was incomplete, averaging around 50%. This, however, was very variable, some subjects achieving more than 90% recovery, whereas others failed completely to adjust energy intake within this timespan. It is concluded that the regulation of energy balance in the lean is a long‐term phenomenon, conditioned by large day‐to‐day fluctuations in energy intake. The removal of sugar from the food raised the energy density of the diet. The substitution of artificial sweeteners for sugar caused an increase of 11% in total fat intake. The restoration of sugar had an opposite effect. This inverse relationship between dietary sugar and fat poses problems for those seeking to lose weight, and for the lean attempting to follow current guidelines for a ‘healthier’ diet without incurring weight loss.
School meals contracts in Welsh schools
Authors: Whelan Amanda , Smith Alison , Smith Christopher
Published: March 2008

Since the introduction of compulsory competitive tendering for school meals, little research has been undertaken on the role of local education authorities (LEAs) in the delivery of nutritionally healthy school meals. This study attempted to redress this for Wales by reviewing the role of contract specifications in promoting healthy eating in schools. In the Spring of 1993, eight LEAs completed a postal questionnaire and telephone interview and seven LEAs provided copies of their contract specifications relating to healthy eating. The seven LEAs were found to have healthy eating policies and nutritional specifications as part of their school meals contracts. Three types of requirements outlining contractor's obligations with respect to healthy eating were found: these referred to nutritional guidelines, healthy eating policies and food preparation guidelines. Although all the contracts stated the need to comply with nutritional guidelines, only three LEAs monitored the nutritional content of their menus. Hence, it is recommended that the nutritional content of school meals should be monitored both at the menu planning as well as the delivery stages. In addition, it is suggested that new contracts should refer to the 1991 dietary reference values rather than the older guidelines.
Growth hormone as a nutritional adjunct in cystic fibrosis: results of a pilot study
Authors: Sackey A. H. , Taylor C. J. , Barraclough M. , Wales J. K. H. , Pickering M.
Published: March 2008

Growth hormone (GH) stimulates linear growth and improves nitrogen balance in many catabolic states, including sepsis, and in malnutrition associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In children with cystic fibrosis (CF), these anabolic effects could aid survival and enhance suitability for transplantation. We assessed response to 0.49 IU/kg/week of recombinant human growth hormone (hGH) for 6–12 months in seven children with cystic fibrosis. All showed an initial increase in height velocity (0.33‐4.14 cm/year) and height standard deviation score (P<0.01). Knemometry also demonstrated a significant improvement in lower leg growth [P < 0.05). Weight velocity increased in five patients but there was no change in body mass index or skinfold thickness. The number of respiratory exacerbations decreased during therapy, although there was no measurable improvement in respiratory function. Growth hormone may be a useful adjunct therapy in cystic fibrosis.
The nutritional implications of food wastage in continuing care wards for elderly patients with mental health problems
Authors: Fenton Julie , Eves Anita , Kipps Michael , O'Donnell Catherine C.
Published: March 2008

Long‐stay wards, where patients are permanently resident, have a responsibility to ensure that the diet that they provide is adequate to meet their residents' needs. The diets of long‐stay, elderly patients with mental health problems were assessed and compared with dietary reference values. The nutritional value of the food supplied from the kitchen and the ward, the food served to the patient and the food consumed by the patient was evaluated.

Results showed that food wastage, as service losses and plate waste, had nutritional implications. In the cases of vitamin C, riboflavin, vitamin B6, vitamin A, calcium, iron, copper, zinc and total energy, the amounts available to patients were adequate. After service losses and plate waste however, intakes were found to be low. In other cases the food available would not have supplied adequate amounts of the nutrients, even if no losses had occurred (folate, vitamin D, magnesium, potassium, iodine, selenium and dietary fibre). Actual intakes of some nutrients, notably heat labile vitamins, may be lower than recorded owing to the effects of catering practices (e.g. warm‐holding). Low intakes usually resulted from a combination of service losses and plate waste. Plate waste occurred for a number of reasons, including inappropriate eating utensils, unfamiliar or disliked foods and insufficient time for meals.
Does a high‐sugar diet promote overweight in children and lead to nutrient deficiencies?
Authors: Naismith Donald J. , Nelson Michael , Burley Victoria , Gatenby Sue
Published: March 2008

The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that a high consumption of sugars promotes obesity in children and has adverse effects on diet composition. Children aged between 11 and 12 years (76 boys and 67 girls) completed a 7‐day weighed and recorded inventory of all food and drinks consumed. Energy and nutrient intakes were calculated using standard food composition tables, and heights and weights were measured.

We found that: (i) sugars did not contribute disproportionately to high energy intakes; (ii) body mass index (kg/m2) was unrelated to total energy intake, but fell as the proportion of energy derived from sugars rose–this trend was statistically significant in boys (P<0.02); (iii) a striking inverse relationship was found between the percentage of food energy provided by sugars and fat (P<0.001); (iv) as sugars accounted for an increasing proportion of energy intake, no decline was observed in the intake of dietary fibre or, with the exception of niacin, in the intakes of vitamins and minerals. Niacin intakes, however, exceeded those recommended. Calcium and vitamin C both tended to rise with increasing sugar consumption.

Our findings do not support the contention that sugars favour the excessive consumption of energy, thus causing obesity, or that high intakes of sugar deplete the diet of fibre or micronutrients. Note should be taken of the strong reciprocal relationship found between the energy contributed by sugars and fat when advocating a restriction of sugar consumption by children.
Breast and bottle feeding in rural and urban South African children
Authors: Roberts Graham J. , Cleaton‐Jones Peter E. , Richardson Barbara D. , Sinwell Ruth E. , Lucas Victoria S.
Published: March 2008

We studied breast and bottle feeding in 1264 children aged 1–4 years from five South African communities using a questionnaire on feeding habits completed by trained interviewers. The proportion of infants breast feeding ranged from 73% to 94% for mean periods of 9–16 months. The group with the most consistent and prolonged breast feeding habits were rural black children. Different bottle feeding practices were used within the various communities. At the ages studied the types of infant feeding practice varied little within the groups although each group differed significantly from the others for the preferred feeding method.
Frequency of consumption and nutrient composition of composite dishes commonly consumed by South Asians originating from Gujerat and the Punjab
Authors: Kassam‐Khamis Tashmin , Judd Patricia A. , Thomas Jane E. , Sevak Leena , Reddy Sheela , Ganatra Smita
Published: March 2008

Information regarding the most common dishes consumed by South Asians originating from the Punjab (Sikhs) or Gujerat (Hindus) and living in London, was obtained from weighed records collected as part of three separate dietary surveys. For each common dish the content of energy and selected nutrients was calculated from the ingredients and cooked weight as described in the diet records. There was considerable variation in the fat and energy contents of similar recipes both within and between groups, suggesting that reduction in fat (and hence energy) intakes could be achieved, without loss of palatability, by recommending use of the lower fat versions.
Dietary advice, nutritional knowledge and attitudes towards nutrition in primary health care
Authors: Hopper D. , Barker M. E.
Published: March 2008

The high priority of health promotion within primary health care in the UK is evidenced through the acceptance, by the primary health care team (PHCT), of a contractual responsibility for health promotion, including the provision of dietary advice. This study sought to investigate the level of advice given on dietary matters, the methods used to give this advice and the nutritional knowledge and attitudes towards nutrition of Sheffield PHCTs; general practitioners (GPs) and practice nurses (PNs) were compared. All active practices (n= 100) on Sheffield Health Authority's GP practice lists were invited to participate. A total of 58 interviews in 46 practices were completed, representing a response rate of 46%. Information was collected using an interviewer‐administered questionnaire. Data analysis was carried out using MINITAB (Minitab Inc., Pennsylvania, USA); differences between groups were tested using the x2 test.

It was found that PNs gave dietary advice more frequently than GPs (P<0.05). GPs were more likely (P<0.05) to give verbal advice only, whereas PNs tended to take a dietary history and to give both written and verbal advice. GPs were less likely than PNs to give comprehensive advice for type II (maturity onset) diabetes, hypercholesterolaemia and obesity. There were appreciable gaps in the nutritional knowledge of both groups. The majority of GPs and PNs believed nutrition to be important in disease prevention and expressed a desire for nutritional teaching as part of their medical training. The primary health care team is in a prime position to give dietary advice, however, it is evident that there is a need for improved nutrition education and training in dietary counselling.
A national food guide for the UK? Background and development
Authors: Hunt P. , Rayner M. , Gatenby S.
Published: March 2008

The development of a National Food Guide for the United Kingdom is a priority in the action plans of the Nutrition Task Force. Pictorial food guides to translate nutrient recommendations into guidance for food choice have been in use in other parts of the world for many years. However, there has not, until the present time, been a nationally recognized guide in the United Kingdom. Such a tool would enable those involved in nutrition education programmes to address the public with consistent messages through a variety of different channels, thus reducing the potential for misinformation and misunderstanding. This paper describes a brief history of food guides, gives the background to the development of a guide in the United Kingdom and outlines the research and development process including consultation with a wide range of organizations. The development of dietetic and nutritional characteristics of the Guide format preferences and performance study results are described in accompanying papers in this issue on pages 323–334 and 335–351.
The National Food Guide: development of dietetic criteria and nutritional characteristics
Authors: Gatenby S. J. , Hunt P. , Rayner M.
Published: March 2008

Despite the wide availability of health education materials and the intensive media interest in food and health, the number of individuals changing their diets has been insufficient to shift average population intakes towards current recommendations. The Nutrition Task Force document ‘Eat Well!’ indicated that the development of a nationally recognized, authoritative and consistently used guide to food selection was a priority. The provision of practical information, via a simple model for nutrition education suitable for wide use, would help to provide the general public with a consistent message on food and health. The National Food Guide: The Balance of Good Health illustrates an agreed core structure of food groupings based on dietetic criteria and the nutritional characteristics of foods within each of the groups. The guide has been developed giving due consideration to the provision of nutritional adequacy, cultural variations, educational needs and requirements for flexibility. This paper outlines the general and specific nutritional objectives of the National Food Guide. It details the criteria for the inclusion of foods within each of the five illustrated food groups, describes the key characteristics of foods within those groups and the rationale for the space allocated for each food group section.
Focus groups: their role in developing calcium‐related education materials
Authors: Chapman Karen M. , Chan Mimi W.
Published: March 2008

Because attitudes concerning a topic can diminish the effectiveness of educational materials, previously identified attitudes concerning calcium intake were explored through focus group interviews during the developmental stages of calcium education materials. Although four focus groups of six to seven participants were planned, each of the four groups consisted of two to six women. All focus groups followed the same format, lasting for 60–90 min; questions progressed from the general to more specific. The focus groups revealed several attitudinal barriers toward dietary behavioural change, including lack of prior interest in the topic and lack of time. Attitudes about dairy calcium included the belief that dairy foods were high in fat and should be avoided, and the belief that dairy foods would cause stomach upsets. Also, neither younger nor older women felt that osteoporosis was a problem their age group needed to address. Readability scales were not necessarily predictive of preference. This study shows that focus group interviews make a valuable contribution to planning and evaluating nutrition education materials.
Effects of dietary supplementation of elderly demented hospital residents
Authors: Carver Andrew D. , Dobson Alison M.
Published: March 2008

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a dietary supplement (Fortisip, Cow & Gate Ltd) on the body weight, triceps skinfold thickness and mid‐arm muscle circumference of low weight, elderly, demented hospital residents. The height and weight of all residents (n = 293) of the Care of the Elderly wards of a large psychiatric hospital were measured, and body mass index (BMI) calculated for each individual. Forty‐six underweight residents (BMI 15.1–19.9) were matched by age, sex and BMI and randomly allocated to receive the supplement or an acaloric vitamin placebo. There were significant increases in mean weight (P< 0.001), mid‐upper‐arm muscle circumference (P<0.05) and triceps skinfold thickness (P< 0.001) in the supplemented group (n= 23). None of these measures of nutritional status changed significantly in the placebo group (n= 23). A high proportion of elderly demented hospital residents are underweight. The addition of a dietary supplement produced a highly significant increase in mean body weight as a result of increases in both body fat and muscle protein.
Menu changes and their effects on the nutritional content of menus and nutritional status of elderly, hospitalized, mental health patients
Authors: Fenton J. , Eves A. , Kipps M. , O'Donnell C. C.
Published: March 2008

As part of the competitive tendering process for a National Health Service catering contract in a UK psychiatric hospital, new menus were devised. The theoretical nutritional content of the pre‐ and post‐tender menus was assessed, and the nutritional status of elderly, mental health patients determined before and after the introduction of the new menus.

Results indicated that the pre‐tender menu did not provide recommended intakes for vitamin D, and that theoretical intakes of sodium exceeded recommendations by 100%. Fat comprised 47% of total energy and carbohydrate 36% of energy. Total energy intakes were theoretically above the estimated average requirement, despite the wasted appearance of some patients. Clinical assessments of patients' nutritional status showed notable proportions of patients with low levels of serum folate, serum vitamin D and plasma vitamin C, evidence of low body weights and depleted protein stores.

The new menus supplied less energy overall, owing to a reduction in fat content. Intakes of vitamin D and folate theoretically increased, although vitamin D intakes still failed to meet recommendations. The proportion of fat as total energy fell to 34%, and the proportion of carbohydrate rose to 47%. The increase in carbohydrate was the result of an increased starch content. After 1 year consuming the new menu, the fat stores of the elderly mental health patients fell (probably as a result of the decreased energy intake). In addition, levels of serum and red cell folate, and vitamin D fell. Whilst acknowledging that nutritional status is affected by many factors this study shows the importance of considering all aspects of the diet, and all causes of nutritional losses when devising new menus to attempt to counter nutritional deficiencies.
The use of irradiated food for immunosuppressed hospital patients in the United Kingdom
Authors: Pryke D. C. , Taylor R. R.
Published: March 2008

Irradiation has been recommended as a method for preparing foods for hospital patients requiring sterile diets as a result of intensive therapy or disease that has resulted in suppression of the immune system. It has a number of advantages over other methods and in recognition of this, in the United Kingdom, the use of irradiated foods for hospital patients has been specifically exempted from regulatory control. Due to a number of factors there is a move away from keeping patients in a sterile environment; however, irradiation may still have a role to play for vulnerable and high‐risk patients. This paper summarizes the use of radiation‐sterilized foods in hospitals in the United Kingdom and discusses the future potential for both radiation‐sterilized and ‘radiation‐pasturized’ foods.
Measurement of diet in a large national survey: comparison of computerized and manual coding of records in household measures
Authors: Price G. M. , Paul A. A. , Key F. B. , Harter A. C. , Cole T. J. , Day K. C. , Wadsworth M. E. J.
Published: March 2008

A diary method using household measures was employed to obtain dietary records in a large national prospective survey and a computer program, DIDO (Diet In Data Out), was designed for direct entry of the diaries. The accuracy of this computerized coding system was examined alongside that of the manual coding used for a similar diary in a previous wave, 7 years earlier, of the same survey. Accuracy was assessed by analysis of the errors in the coded and checked records by stringent re‐checking of nominal 2% random subsamples of the diet diaries coded by each method. The mean time to code and check each of the 2086 7‐day records in the whole survey using DIDO was 58 minutes (SD 30) compared with reported results of 1–4 hours for manual methods. The mean error rate of computerized coding and checking with DIDO was 2.3% (SD 2.1; range 0–8.9) per diary in the subsample. Correcting these mistakes made insignificant changes to the calculated mean energy and nutrient intakes for the subsample. The percentage of individuals changing to an adjacent third of nutrient distribution after correcting unambiguous errors ranged from none (for alcohol) to 11% (for carbohydrate and calcium intake). The mean error rate on a similar subsample of diaries from the earlier survey which had been coded manually was significantly higher at 5.9% (SD 4.1; range 0–17) per diary. Emphasis is laid on the importance, in coding, of dealing with ambiguities in the subjects' records, since this can affect the accuracy and the precision of the nutrient results obtained. We conclude that the DIDO coding method has the advantages of greater accuracy, speed, consistency and efficient data handling, and affords greater data accessibility for checking, compared with manual systems.
Intakes and major dietary sources of cholesterol and phytosterols in the British diet
Authors: Morton Gillian M. , Lee Susan M. , Buss David H. , Lawrance Paul
Published: March 2008

Cholesterol intakes in Britain have been re‐estimated by analysing Total Diet samples taken in 1991 and from 1993 National Food Survey records. The Total Diet samples contained only 284 mg/day compared with 319 mg/day in 1987 and 337 mg/day in 1981, while the National Food Survey showed intakes had fallen to 238 mg/day from 259 mg/day in 1990 and 405 mg/day in 1970‐75. More details of the intakes by adults in 1986/87 are given, and compared with the results from the other methods. Daily intakes of eight phytosterols were also estimated, the main ones being β‐sitosterol, campesterol, stigmasterol and 57‐stigmastenol whose intakes were 104, 49, 10 and 4 mg/day, respectively, in 1991. These intakes had increased since 1981, reflecting the rising consumption of vegetable oils.
Nutritional and chemical composition of farmed venison
Authors: Aidoo Kofi E. , Haworth Richard J. P.
Published: March 2008

Nutritional analyses were carried out on trimmed and untrimmed samples of farmed venison and venison products from summer slaughtered beasts, just under 2 years old. Samples were taken from various cuts ranging from shin to sirloin joints and liver. Analysis showed that the meat contained higher levels of organic nitrogen than the corresponding cuts of beef, lamb or pork. The sodium content of venison was similar to other meat samples, but there was a significantly lower total fat content. This was also reflected in the total energy value for each of the cuts, which was less than 500 kj per 100 g.
Dietary fibre composition of Indian foods and intakes of Indian vegetarian populations
Authors: Khokhar Santosh , Pushpanjali
Published: March 2008

The dietary fibre contents of the cereals, pulses and vegetables commonly consumed in northern India have been determined as neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and acid detergent fibre (ADF) by using the method of Van Soest and Wines (1967). Total dietary fibre (TDF) was calculated as the total sum of cellulose (from ADF fraction), hemicellulose (NDF‐ADF) and pectin (Ranganna, 1977). Total dietary fibre content in different foods was found to vary considerably. However, total dietary fibre contents of raw and cooked foods were nearly equal. Cereals were the most important contributor of dietary fibre in the diets, followed by vegetables. The range of total dietary fibre in the diets was 38 g (children's diet) to 42 g/100 g DM (in older adults' diet). Mean daily fibre intakes of 298 subjects grouped in four different age groups (children, adolescents, adults and older adults) varied from 49.6 to 171.2 g. The mean daily fibre intakes of non‐farming females were found to be higher than their farming counterparts, which was due to higher consumption of cereals, mainly wheat.
AGB variables and the Mira period–luminosity relation
Authors: Whitelock Patricia A. , Feast Michael W. , Van Leeuwen Floor
Published: March 2008

Published data for large-amplitude asymptotic giant branch variables in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) are re-analysed to establish the constants for an infrared (K) period–luminosity relation of the form MK=ρ[log P− 2.38]+δ. A slope of ρ=−3.51 ± 0.20 and a zero-point of δ=−7.15 ± 0.06 are found for oxygen-rich Miras (if a distance modulus of 18.39 ± 0.05 is used for the LMC). Assuming this slope is applicable to Galactic Miras we discuss the zero-point for these stars using the revised Hipparcos parallaxes together with published very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) parallaxes for OH masers and Miras in globular clusters. These result in a mean zero-point of δ=−7.25 ± 0.07 for O-rich Galactic Miras. The zero-point for Miras in the Galactic bulge is not significantly different from this value.

Carbon-rich stars are also discussed and provide results that are consistent with the above numbers, but with higher uncertainties. Within the uncertainties there is no evidence for a significant difference between the period–luminosity relation zero-points for systems with different metallicity.
False Positive Radiological Evidence of Gastric Malignancy Associated with Cirrhosis of the Liver and Ascites
Authors: Burns R. J. , Matz L. R.
Published: March 2008

Although many cases of false positive radiological evidence of gastric malignancy are listed in the medical literature, we have been unable to find references to false positive findings occurring in cases of cirrhosis of the liver with ascites. On account of this, four such cases are reported. A conclusive explanation of these findings is not apparent, but oedema of the gastric wall may have been a factor in one of the cases.
Radiological Findings in Choledochal Cysts: With Report of Two Cases
Authors: Masel J. P.
Published: March 2008

Choledochal cyst is a rare condition but is important in view of the good results of early and correct treatment. The correct diagnosis can now be made in the majority of patients by clinical methods with the assistance of appropriate radiological procedures. Two cases which illustrate some of the features of the radiological diagnosis are presented.
Factors Influencing Radiocurability of Carcinoma of the Cervix
Authors: Bourne R. G.
Published: March 2008

Factors which may influence the prognosis of carcinoma of the cervix are discussed. The place of laboratory aids is considered. From this review an attempt is made to conclude which factors are of real value in the assessment and management of this disease.
The Pathology of Ulcerative Colitis
Authors: McGovern V. J.
Published: March 2008

The initial lesion in ulcerative colitis, whether in the large bowel or small, seems to be congestion and oedema of the submucosa followed by ulceration in a characteristic pattern. Deep ulceration is characteristic of the acute form, while in chronic ulcerative colitis the ulcers are superficial to the muscularis mucosae. While the patterns are characteristic, there is often some degree of overlap and, indeed, one variety can be converted into the other.
The Acute Radiation Syndrome
Authors: Gurner Colonel C. M.
Published: March 2008

Whole body radiation in doses greater than 100 rem produces the acute radiation syndrome, i which may be fatal.

The final assessment of the degree of radiation damage sustained by a casualty will be made on the clinical findings, supported by serial blood examinations, and perhaps by biochemical and physical estimations, but the early assessment can only be made by knowledge of the physical circumstances of the accident and by the rapidity of appearance of the symptoms and their severity.
Avian life‐history determinants of local extinction risk in a hyper‐fragmented neotropical forest landscape
Authors: Lees A. C. , Peres C. A.
Published: March 2008

The fact that species vary in their vulnerability to extinction is well documented, but the reasons for these differences remain poorly understood. Why should some species/families/guilds decline rapidly with increasing anthropogenic disturbance, while others either tolerate or proliferate in disturbed habitats? We investigated the bird species composition in 31 primary forest patches of varying size in a region of the Amazonian ‘Arc of Deforestation’ and assessed which species life‐history traits predisposed individual species to extinction. Medium‐sized non‐flocking canopy frugivores/ominvores of low primary forest dependence were least likely to go extinct in small patches, while small‐bodied flock‐following primary‐forest‐dependent terrestrial insectivores were most fragmentation sensitive. We found highly idiosyncratic relationships between the minimum size of forest patches occupied by different species and their territory size requirements estimated based on other Amazonian studies. This suggests that avian assemblages in forest fragments primarily comprise species that either have good dispersal abilities or are highly tolerant to the non‐forest matrix, rather than those whose minimum spatial requirements can be met by the size of available forest fragments.
Translocating lions into an inbred lion population in the Hluhluwe‐iMfolozi Park, South Africa
Authors: Trinkel M. , Ferguson N. , Reid A. , Reid C. , Somers M. , Turelli L. , Graf J. , Szykman M. , Cooper D. , Haverman P. , Kastberger G. , Packer C. , Slotow R.
Published: March 2008

A fundamental problem in conservation biology is the risk of inbreeding in fragmented and declining populations. In the Hluhluwe‐iMfolozi Park (HiP), a small, enclosed reserve in South Africa, a large lion Panthera leo population arose from a founder group of five individuals in the 1960s. The HiP lion population went through a persistent decline and showed indications of inbreeding depression. To restore the genetic variation of the inbred HiP lion population, new lions were translocated into the existing population. Translocated females formed stable associations and established enduring pride areas with other translocated lionesses, but did not bond into native female prides. The translocated male coalition was more successful in gaining and maintaining residence in a pride than the translocated lone male that split off on his own from the male coalition. Litter size and cub survival was about twice as high for pairings involving at least one translocated parent than for pairings of two native lions. It is therefore possible to infuse new genes rapidly and successfully into a small, isolated lion population. Such translocations may become an important adaptive management tool as lion populations become increasingly fragmented.