Scaling up health technology assessment capacities in selected African countries - A conceivable route ahead.

Background: This study aimed to provide a structured description of the commonalities and differences in healthcare structures across Africa to establish a reliable basis for the health technology assessment (HTA) of nutrition and nutrition interventions. A ranking of current nutrition conditions in the general population of the participating countries was included to gain a better understanding of the factors influencing hospital malnutrition (HMN), which will inform future multi-country research.

Method: A questionnaire on the structure of the health systems was distributed among ten African countries.

[Evaluation of nutritional Status in lung cancer using bio electrical impedance analysis and mini nutritional assessment].

Background: Malnutrition and cachexia were a frequent problem in lung cancer and increases the risks of morbidity and mortality in these patients. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is easy, non-invasive and reproducible method that can be performed.

Aim: Evaluate nutritional status in patients with primary lung cancer by Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), BIA and anthropometric values (weight, arm and calf circumferences) and correlate the nutritional parameters to severity of cancer and histopathology.

Dietary intakes of essential nutrients among Arab and Berber ethnic groups on rural Tunisian island.

Objective: The dietary intake was investigated and food sources were identified among Tunisian ethnic groups from Jerba Island in the south of Tunisia.

Methods: Ninety-four subjects of moderate socioeconomic status (47 Berbers and 47 Arabs) aged 32 to 64 y completed a 1-mo qualitative food-frequency questionnaire and a single 24-h dietary recall, and dietary intakes and demographic status were observed from 2006 to 2007.

Results: The prevalence of overweight and obesity was not significantly associated with Arab men compared with Berber men.