Teaching medical students about nutrition: from basic principles to practical strategies.

Poor nutrition is widely recognised as one of the key modifiable risks to health and life, with doctors in an ideal position to recognise when suboptimal nutrition is impacting on their patients' health and provide them with advice and support to create sustainable and achievable diet and lifestyle modifications. However, it has been acknowledged that nutrition training within medical schools is extremely varied, and in many cases inadequate. The Association for Nutrition UK Undergraduate Curriculum in Nutrition for Medical Doctors provides medical schools with guidance on what should be included in the training of all medical students.

SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in the Southern Region of New Zealand, 2020.

During New Zealand's first outbreak in early 2020 the Southern Region had the highest per capita SARS-CoV-2 infection rate. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing was initially limited by a narrow case definition and limited laboratory capacity, and cases may have been missed. Our objectives were to evaluate the Abbott SARS-CoV-2 IgG nucleocapsid assay, alongside spike-based assays, and to determine the frequency of antibodies among PCR-confirmed and probable cases, and higher risk individuals in the Southern Region of New Zealand.

Changes in Self-Efficacy and Social Support after an Intervention to Increase Physical Activity Among Adults with Type 2 Diabetes in Oman: A 12-month follow-up of the MOVEdiabetes trial.

Objectives: This study aimed to describe changes in self-efficacy (SE) and social support (SS) 12 months after the MOVEdiabetes trial, an intervention designed to increase physical activity (PA) among adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Oman.

Methods: The original MOVEdiabetes trial was conducted between April 2016 and June 2017 in Muscat, Oman. The intervention group (IG) received personalised PA consultations, pedometers and monthly messages using a web-based application, while the comparison group received usual care.

Comprehensive analysis of SARS-CoV-2 antibody dynamics in New Zealand.

Objectives: Circulating antibodies are important markers of previous infection and immunity. Questions remain with respect to the durability and functionality of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. This study explored antibody responses in recovered COVID-19 patients in a setting where the probability of re-exposure is effectively nil, owing to New Zealand's successful elimination strategy.

A novel approach to increasing community capacity for weight management a volunteer-delivered programme (ActWELL) initiated within breast screening clinics: a randomised controlled trial.

Background: It is estimated that around 30% of breast cancers in post-menopausal women are related to lifestyle. The breast cancer-pooling project demonstrated that sustained weight loss of 2 to 4.5 kg is associated with an 18% lower risk of breast cancer, highlighting the importance of small changes in body weight.

Perceived Changes in General Well-being: Findings from the 'MOVEdiabetes' Physical Activity Randomized Control Trial.

Objectives: Studies have consistently reported the health benefits of physical activity (PA) in diabetes care. Our study aimed to explore perceptions of general well-being in participants of the 'MOVEdiabetes' intervention aimed at increasing PA in adults with type 2 diabetes in Oman.

Methods: 'MOVEdiabetes' is a cluster-randomized study where participants in the intervention group (IG) received PA consultations, pedometers, and WhatsApp messages versus the usual care in the control group (CG).

Acceptability of the "MOVEdiabetes" physical activity intervention in diabetes primary care settings in Oman: findings from participants and practitioners.

Background: Adequate physical activity (PA) is considered essential in diabetes management. However, evidence on the best method of promoting PA within diabetes care is inconclusive. The current work identifies perceptions on the acceptability of Intervention Group Participants (IGP) and Project Officers (POs) about the "MOVEdiabetes" intervention programme aimed at increasing PA in adults with type 2 diabetes in Oman (a retrospectively registered trial).

Optimisation of the ActWELL lifestyle intervention programme for women attending routine NHS breast screening clinics.

Background: Around 30% of post-menopausal breast cancer is related to excess body fat, alcohol intake and low levels of physical activity. Current estimates suggest that there is a 12% increased risk in post-menopausal breast cancer for every 5 kg/m increase in body mass index (BMI). Despite this evidence there are few lifestyle programmes directed towards breast cancer risk reduction.

Outcomes of treatment for hepatitis C in prisoners using a nurse-led, statewide model of care.

Background & Aims: Treatment programs for people who inject drugs (PWID), including prisoners, are important for achieving hepatitis C elimination targets. There are multiple barriers to treatment of hepatitis C in prisons, including access to specialist physicians, testing and antiviral therapy, short prison sentences, and frequent inter-prison transfer. We aimed to assess the effectiveness of a nurse-led model of care for the treatment of prisoners with hepatitis C.

'MOVEdiabetes': a cluster randomized controlled trial to increase physical activity in adults with type 2 diabetes in primary health in Oman.

Objective: This study examined the impact of a multicomponent intervention to increase physical activity (PA) in adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D) in Oman.

Research Design And Methods: This is a cluster randomized controlled trial in eight primary health centers. Participants were physically inactive, aged ≥18 years, and with no contraindication to PA.

Randomised controlled trial to assess the impact of a lifestyle intervention (ActWELL) in women invited to NHS breast screening.

Introduction: In Scotland, the incidence of breast cancer is predicted to rise significantly in the next few decades and while there are measures to support reductions in morbidity and mortality, the breast cancer community is currently exploring preventative opportunities including supporting weight management programmes in postmenopausal women. This study aims to assess the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a theory-based, community delivered, minimal contact, weight management (diet, physical activity and behaviour change techniques) programme (ActWELL) in women with a body mass index (BMI) >25 kg/m attending routine breast cancer screening appointments.

Methods And Analysis: The study will be a four-centre, 1:1 parallel group randomised controlled trial of a 12-month weight management intervention initiated in breast cancer screening centres, delivered by trained Breast Cancer Now lifestyle coaches in community settings.

The feasibility, acceptability and preliminary testing of a novel, low-tech intervention to improve pre-hospital data recording for pre-alert and handover to the Emergency Department.

Background: Poor communication during patient handover is recognised internationally as a root cause of a significant proportion of preventable deaths. Data used in handover is not always easily recorded using ambulance based tablets, particularly in time-critical cases. Paramedics have therefore developed pragmatic workarounds (writing on gloves or scrap paper) to record these data.

Prospective Evaluation of the ESPGHAN Guidelines for Diagnosis of Celiac Disease in New Zealand Children.

Objective: The 2012 European Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) guideline for diagnosis of celiac disease (CD) questioned the requirement for intestinal biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. The guideline recommends that in symptomatic patients with consistent human leukocyte antigen (HLA) subtypes, the diagnostic accuracy of strongly positive serology is sufficient to confirm the diagnosis. We prospectively assessed these guidelines in a "real-life" clinical setting.

Health professionals' perceptions about physical activity promotion in diabetes care within primary health care settings in Oman.

Background: As part of formative work to inform an interventional design to increase physical activity (PA) in patients with type 2 diabetes in Oman, this qualitative study aimed to determine health professionals' perception of barriers and opportunities, personnel responsibilities and plausible PA promotional approaches.

Methods: Four focus group discussions were carried out with groups of health care professionals (family physicians, dieticians and health educators, managers and general practitioners). All discussions were audio recorded and transcribed.

The impact of social deprivation on the response to a randomised controlled trial of a weight management intervention (BeWEL) for people at increased risk of colorectal cancer.

Background: Although 45% of colorectal cancer (CRC) cases may be avoidable through appropriate lifestyle and weight management, health promotion interventions run the risk of widening health inequalities. The BeWEL randomised controlled trial assessed the impact of a diet and activity programme in overweight adults who were diagnosed with a colorectal adenoma, demonstrating a significantly greater weight loss at 12 months in intervention participants than in controls. The present study aimed to compare BeWEL intervention outcomes by participant deprivation status.

Perceived barriers to leisure time physical activity in adults with type 2 diabetes attending primary healthcare in Oman: a cross-sectional survey.

Objectives: Physical activity is fundamental in diabetes management for good metabolic control. This study aimed to identify barriers to performing leisure time physical activity and explore differences based on gender, age, marital status, employment, education, income and perceived stages of change in physical activity in adults with type 2 diabetes in Oman.

Design: Cross-sectional study using an Arabic version of the 'Barriers to Being Active' 27-item questionnaire.

Correlates of physical activity and sitting time in adults with type 2 diabetes attending primary health care in Oman.

Background: Despite evidence of the benefits of physical activity in the management of type 2 diabetes, it is poorly addressed in diabetes care. This study aimed to identify the prevalence and correlates of meeting ≥600MET-min/wk. (150 min/wk) of physical activity and sitting time in adults with type 2 diabetes in Oman.

Study protocol for "MOVEdiabetes": a trial to promote physical activity for adults with type 2 diabetes in primary health care in Oman.

Background: Benefits of physical activity in the management of diabetes are well documented. However, evidence on the effectiveness of interventions integrating physical activity in diabetes care is sparse especially in the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council. The results from this study will increase our understanding of the use of multi-component interventions aimed at increasing physical activity levels in inactive adults with type 2 diabetes in primary health care in Oman.