Effectiveness of a complex, pre-conception intervention to reduce the risk of diabetes by reducing adiposity in young adults in Malaysia: The Jom Mama project - A randomised controlled trial.

Background: Pre-conception interventions have the potential to lower non-communicable disease risk in prospective parents and reduce transmission of risk factors such as obesity to the next generation. The Jom Mama project in Malaysia investigated the effectiveness of a combined behaviour change communication and e-health intervention in young married couples prior to first pregnancy. This paper reports the evaluation of the effectiveness of this trial.

Effect of locally produced complementary foods on fat-free mass, linear growth, and iron status among Kenyan infants: A randomized controlled trial.

The impact of quality complementary food products on infant growth and body composition has not been adequately investigated. This study evaluated the effect on fat-free mass (FFM) accrual, linear growth, and iron status of locally produced complementary food products comparing to a standard product. In a randomized, double-blind trial, 499 infants at 6 months received nine monthly rations of (a) WinFood Classic (WFC) comprising germinated amaranth (71%), maize (10.

Stunting, wasting and breast-feeding as correlates of body composition in Cambodian children at 6 and 15 months of age.

The study aimed at assessing stunting, wasting and breast-feeding as correlates of body composition in Cambodian children. As part of a nutrition trial (ISRCTN19918531), fat mass (FM) and fat-free mass (FFM) were measured using 2H dilution at 6 and 15 months of age. Of 419 infants enrolled, 98 % were breastfed, 15 % stunted and 4 % wasted at 6 months.

Effect of complementary food with small amounts of freshwater fish on whole blood n-3 fatty acids in Cambodian infants age 6-15 months.

The impact of freshwater fish consumption on the status of long-chain n-3 fatty acids (n-3 LCPUFA) in infants in landlocked, low-income populations is unknown. We used secondary data from a randomized, single-blinded, controlled trial to evaluate the impact of daily consumption of complementary food products with small amounts of freshwater fish on whole blood n-3 LCPUFA in Cambodian infants. Infants (n = 419), received daily, one of four food products for 9 months.

WinFood data from Kenya and Cambodia: constraints on field procedures.

Background: Researchers face myriad challenges in the design and implementation of randomized, controlled trials. Apart from summaries on limitations, these challenges are rarely documented in detail to inform future research projects.

Objective: To describe methodological challenges encountered during randomized, controlled trials (WinFood Study) designed to assess the efficacy of locally produced complementary foods based on traditional animal-source foods (edible termites and spiders) to support growth and nutritional status in Kenyan and Cambodian infants.

Effects of animal source food and micronutrient fortification in complementary food products on body composition, iron status, and linear growth: a randomized trial in Cambodia.

Background: Poor nutritional quality of complementary foods often limits growth. Animal source foods, such as milk or meat, are often unaffordable. Local affordable alternatives are needed.

The use of linear programming to determine whether a formulated complementary food product can ensure adequate nutrients for 6- to 11-month-old Cambodian infants.

Background: A new software tool, Optifood, developed by the WHO and based on linear programming (LP) analysis, has been developed to formulate food-based recommendations.

Objective: This study discusses the use of Optifood for predicting whether formulated complementary food (CF) products can ensure dietary adequacy for target populations in Cambodia.

Design: Dietary data were collected by 24-h recall in a cross-sectional survey of 6- to 11-mo-old infants (n = 78).

[Health status and degree of traumatisation among newly arrived asylum seeker--secondary publication].

An unknown number of asylum seekers arriving in Denmark have been exposed to torture. Amnesty International's Danish Medical Group examined 142 asylum seekers, of whom 45% had been exposed to torture. Physical and psychological symptoms were 2-3 times as frequent among torture survivors as among non-tortured asylum seekers.

[Undernutrition in humanitarian crises].

Undernutrition is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in emergencies. The response depends on the extent and type of undernutrition in the affected population. Nutritional status is assessed by weight-for-height, mid-upper arm circumference and micronutrient deficiencies.

An international review of projects on hospital performance assessment.

Background: Assessing the quality of health care has become increasingly important in health care in response to growing demands from purchasers, providers, clinicians and the public. Given the increase in projects and programs to assess performance in health care in the last 15 years, the purpose of this paper is to review current indicator projects for hospital performance assessment and compare them to the Performance Assessment Tool for Quality Improvement in Hospitals (PATH), an initiative by the WHO Regional Office for Europe.

Methodology: We identified current indicator projects through a systematic literature search and through contact with experts.

Asylum seekers in Denmark--a study of health status and grade of traumatization of newly arrived asylum seekers.

Background: An unknown number of asylum seekers arriving in Denmark have been exposed to torture or have experienced other traumatising events in their country of origin. The health of traumatised asylum seekers, both physically and mentally, is affected upon arrival to Denmark, and time in asylum centres leads to further deterioration in health.

Methods: One hundred forty-two (N=142) newly arrived asylum seekers were examined at Center Sandholm by Amnesty International Danish Medical Group from the 1st of September until the 31st of December 2007.