Side-to-side comparisons of bone mineral density in upper and lower limbs of collegiate athletes.

This cross-sectional study investigated the effects of participation in various sports on side-to-side (contralateral) differences in bone mineral density (BMD) of the upper and lower limbs. The BMD of the arms and legs was measured using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. The subjects were 184 collegiate athletes, both men and women, who participated in NCAA Division I-A baseball, basketball, football, golf, soccer, tennis, cross-country, indoor/outdoor track, and volleyball.

Predictors of milk consumption in a population of 17- to 35-year-old military personnel.

Objective: The purpose of this investigation was to survey an entire population of Air Force recruits (N = 32,144) regarding milk consumption and demographic and health-related factors that may predict milk consumption.

Design: All subjects were required to fill out a 53-item health survey at the start of basic military training.

Subjects/setting: All recruits who entered the US Air Force from August 1995 to August 1996 participated in this study (N = 32,144).

A model for making outcomes research standard practice in clinical dietetics.

In today's rapidly changing health care environment, it is imperative that dietitians demonstrate the importance of their role as health care providers by initiating and participating in outcomes research. Patient care should be based on empirical studies, and clinical dietitians should participate in or be at the helm of such investigations. Nutrition research is usually accomplished and reported by persons with MD or PhD degrees who do not have clinical training in nutrition and does not often address situations encountered by dietitians in clinical settings.