Conflicts of interest among scientific foundations and societies in the field of childhood nutrition

ObjectiveTo describe food-industry sponsorships of associations active in the field of childhood nutrition and obesity prevention in Spain in 2017-2018.MethodThe associations were located at https://www.google.es/ using the words “society”, “foundation” or “federation” in combination with the terms “nutrition”, “obesity”, “childhood”, “paediatrics” and “diabetes”. Sponsorship was defined as the declaration of funding received or the appearance of a food company logo on an association's website or in the programmes of its congresses or courses. The percentage of sponsored societies and its association with the existence of ethical codes was calculated using MS Excel.Results64% of the associations displayed some type of sponsorship, with this being most frequent among paediatric and nutrition societies, 83% and 80% respectively, and non-existent among public health societies. No association was found between the existence of an ethical code and sponsorship (odds ratio: 0.75; 95% confidence interval: 0.14-3.94). The leading corporate sponsors were Nestlé, Coca-Cola and Danone. Whereas the initiatives of sponsored societies were targeted at changing eating individual behaviours, those of unsponsored societies sought to promote changes in the food system and eating environments.ConclusionsFood industry sponsorship of foundations and scientific societies is very widespread in Spain, except among public health associations. Unlike sponsored associations, those unsponsored propose policies opposed by the food industry, which are aimed at improving the system and food and eating environments.     

Law-like relationship between height and weight of school children

Ehrenberg’s Law-like relationship between height and weight [log was applied to a group of public school and Govt. school children in New Delhi. It was found that the model log was comparatively a good fit for public school children and the model log for Govt. school children. On fitting the model to the sample data it was found that the value of ‘a’ was 0.8, with some minor variation in the second decimal point and the value of ‘b’ was 0.39 & 0.36 respectively for public school boys and girls and 0.32 & 0.29 respectively for Govt. school boys & girls. These results corroborates with the findings of the earlier studies that the intercept constant ‘b’ in the Law-like relationship equation is influenced by the nutrition of children. This model is recommended because of its simplicity and practical usefulness using only already available information.     

生物电子阻抗测定用于评估腹部肿瘤病人手术前后的营养状况

目的：评估生物电子阻抗测定对腹部肿瘤病人手术前,后营养状况分析的有效性。方法;选择２４例腹部肿瘤病人,用ＢＩＡ分别测得术前和术后第５天的电阻和感应电阻,通过计算机ＲＪＬ系统计算出身体细胞质量,脂肪和身体总水含量值,并与白蛋白和体重的变化相比较。结果;术后５天时,ＢＣＭ的下降具有显著性差异,这与白蛋白,ＦＡＴ,ＴＢＷ和体重的下降是一致的。     

A to Z: Vitamin A and zinc,the miracle duo

Dietary micronutrients such as vitamins and trace minerals are known modulators of host immune responses against common pathogens. In this respect, vitamin A and zinc have recently received increased attention. Severalin vivo andin vitro studies suggest that vitamin A may be a critical player in the mucosal immune responses in the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts, particularly in undernourished children. The effect may be mediated primarily by stabilization of the membrane of mucosal epithelial cells, as well as enhanced leukocyte functions. The beneficial effect of vitamin A therapy in reducing measles-associated morbidity and mortality suggests its crucial role in defenses against viral pathogens. Zinc is also known affect leukocyte functions such as phagocytosis and T-lymphocyte-mediated immune responses. However, unlike vitamin A, zinc has been investigated primarily for its effects on bacterial infections. Dietary supplementation or therapeutic treatment with vitamin A and zinc may be a cheap yet effective means of preventing or treating infections in highly susceptible populations. Additional studies, however, are required to better define the types of pathogens and the specific human populations that may benefit from such therapy.     

1314例育龄妇女缺铁性贫血发病现状调查

目的 :研究育龄妇女缺铁性贫血 (IDA)的发病现状及营养状况与IDA的关系。方法 :检测青岛市城市及农村 1314例妊娠期和非妊娠期育龄妇女的外周血红蛋白浓度 (Hb)、平均红细胞体积 (MCV)、平均红细胞血红蛋白量 (MCH)、血清铁蛋白 (SF) ,并进行个人问卷调查 ,应用营养计算软件评价膳食营养。结果 :1314例育龄妇女IDA发病率为 2 0 .4 0 % ,其中非孕妇的发病率高于孕妇。农村育龄妇女的发病率明显高于城市。孕妇中孕≥ 2 8周组发病率最高 (4 0 % ) ,与其他孕周组相比差异有高度显著性 (P <0 .0 1)。营养评价结果显示非孕妇组热量、维生素A、E、B1、B2 、PP、C的缺乏率高于孕妇组(P <0 .0 0 1)。结论 :农村育龄妇女及孕 2 8周以上的孕妇为IDA高发人群。应加强对农村育龄妇女的膳食营养宣教及指导 ,对孕晚期的孕妇及时采取有针对性的干预措施。     

Symptomatic treatment of respiratory and nutritional failure in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease characterised by death of upper and lower motor neurones. Nutritional and respiratory failure occurs in most patients with ALS. Nutritional failure occurs primarily as a result of dysphagia, although malnutrition may also develop in the absence of clinically apparent dysphagia. The optimal management of nutrition in early ALS has not been established. In later stages of the disease, parenteral nutritional support using percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy confers a significant survival benefit in selected patients. Respiratory failure occurs as a result of bulbar, cervical and thoracic loss of motor neurones. Inspiratory muscles are preferentially affected. Management of respiratory failure includes the use of strategies that limit aspiration pneumonia, the reduction in secretions, and positioning of the patient to a maximal mechanical advantage. Use of non-invasive positive pressure ventilation in appropriate patients significantly enhances survival. The decision to undertake invasive mechanical ventilation should be made prior to the development of symptoms that might warrant this intervention. The progressive nature of the condition should be taken into account when such a decision is discussed with the patient and carer. Further studies are required to determine the optimal nutritional requirements of patients with ALS, and to elucidate the physiological changes involved in the decline in respiratory function. Received: 13 September 1999/Accepted: 1 October 1999     

杭州市老年人主要食物摄入量与营养调查

目的了解杭州市老年人的年主要食物摄入量与营养状况,找出存在的主要问题,探讨解决的对策。方法随机抽样调查了杭州市老年大学学员的体质指数、年主要食物摄入量、营养相关疾病患病率及对营养与膳食知识的了解与需求程度。结果杭州市老年人体质指数为22.3±3.1,人均每年主要食物摄入量为:口粮98.6kg,豆类30.1kg,蔬菜110.1kg,水果63.3kg,食用植物油16.2kg,食糖5.0kg,肉类20.1kS,蛋类19.7kg,奶类56.8kg,水产品34.7kg。营养相关疾病患病率较高。结论接受调查的人群年主要食物摄入量基本达到2010年城乡居民食物与营养发展目标中的城市居民人均每年主要食物摄入量的要求,膳食结构基本合理,但仍需加强营养指导。