Is Weight Loss More Severe in Older People with Dementia?

Weight loss, a hallmark feature of dementia, is associated with higher mortality in older people. However, there is a lack of consensus in the literature as to whether the weight loss commonly observed in older people with dementia results from reduced energy intake and/or increased energy expenditure. Understanding the cause of energy imbalance in older people with dementia would allow more targeted interventions to avoid detrimental health effects in this vulnerable group.

European Healthy Hydration Awareness Campaign for Dietitians.

Up to 50% of the adult population fail to meet the recommended total water intake despite the adverse health outcomes associated with chronic low fluid intake. Total fluid intake plays an important role in the energy and nutrient intake of individuals. Dietitians' role is to advise and guide the population toward a healthier diet.

Contribution of Water from Food and Fluids to Total Water Intake: Analysis of a French and UK Population Surveys.

Little has been published on the contribution of food moisture (FM) to total water intake (TWI); therefore, the European Food Safety Authority assumed FM to contribute 20%-30% to TWI. The aim of the present analysis was to estimate and compare TWI, the percentage of water from FM and from fluids in population samples of France and UK. Data from 2 national nutrition surveys (Enquête Comportements et Consommations Alimentaires en France (CCAF) 2013 and the National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS) 2008/2009-2011/2012) were analyzed for TWI and the contribution of water from FM and fluids.

Recording of fluid, beverage and water intakes at the population level in Europe.

The European Food Safety Authority's 2010 scientific opinion on dietary reference values for total water intakes was partly based on observed intakes in population groups. Large variability was observed, and it is unlikely that these differences can be explained by differences in climate, activity level and/or culture. This suggests that there are uncertainties in the methodologies used to assess water intake from food and fluids, including all types of beverages.

Relevance of Assessment Methods for Fluid Intake.

Reliable data at population level are essential to firmly establish links between fluid intake, hydration and health, investigate dose-response relationships and develop meaningful public health strategies or reference intake values. However, limited research exists regarding the most appropriate methodology for assessing beverage or total fluid intake (TFI). To date, methodologies have been developed to assess food and nutrient intake without due consideration of water or fluid intake behavior.

Harmonized Cross-Sectional Surveys Focused on Fluid Intake in Children, Adolescents and Adults: The Liq.In7 Initiative.

Objective: To assess the intake of water and all other beverages in children, adolescents and adults.

Methods: Three thousand six hundred eleven children (8 ± 2 years), 8,109 adolescents (13 ± 2 years) and 16,276 adults (40 ± 14 years) (47% men) were recruited in 15 cross-sectional surveys (liquid intake across 7 days, Liq.In7 study) and completed a 7-day fluid-specific record to assess total fluid intake (TFI), where TFI was defined as the sum of drinking water and other type of beverages.

Total fluid intake of children and adolescents: cross-sectional surveys in 13 countries worldwide.

Purpose: To describe total fluid intake (TFI) according to socio-demographic characteristics in children and adolescents worldwide.

Methods: Data of 3611 children (4-9 years) and 8109 adolescents (10-18 years) were retrieved from 13 cross-sectional surveys (47 % males). In three countries, school classes were randomly recruited with stratified cluster sampling design.

Water intake: validity of population assessment and recommendations.

Good hydration is vital for good health and well-being. Until recently, there was little interest in collecting data on water and drink and beverage intake. However, there is increasing evidence that a low water intake or mild dehydration may be linked with the risk of chronic diseases.

Nutrition education and leadership for improved clinical outcomes: training and supporting junior doctors to run 'Nutrition Awareness Weeks' in three NHS hospitals across England.

Background: One in four adults are estimated to be at medium to high risk of malnutrition when screened using the 'Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool' upon admission to hospital in the United Kingdom. The Need for Nutrition Education/Education Programme (NNEdPro) Group was developed to address this issue and the Nutrition Education and Leadership for Improved Clinical Outcomes (NELICO) is a project within this group.The objective of NELICO was to assess whether an intensive training intervention combining clinical and public health nutrition, organisational management and leadership strategies, could equip junior doctors to contribute to improvement in nutrition awareness among healthcare professionals in the National Health Service in England.

Development and validation of a questionnaire to measure research involvement among registered dietitians.

Research involvement among registered dietitians (RDs) is important in advancing dietetics practice and ensuring high-quality and cost-effective health care. There are no standardized approaches to measuring levels of research involvement. The aim of the study was to develop a standardized measure of research involvement and test its validity and reliability among RDs.

Evaluation of a novel nutrition education intervention for medical students from across England.

Objectives: Problems such as hospital malnutrition (∼40% prevalence in the UK) may be managed better by improving the nutrition education of 'tomorrow's doctors'. The Need for Nutrition Education Programme aimed to measure the effectiveness and acceptability of an educational intervention on nutrition for medical students in the clinical phase of their training.

Design: An educational needs analysis was followed by a consultative process to gain consensus on a suitable educational intervention.