Of interest from the journals.

Body composition

Deurenberg P, Deurenberg-Yap M, Foo LF, Schmidt G, Wang J. Differences in body composition between Singapore Chinese, Beijing Chinese and Dutch children. Eur J Clin Nutr 2003:57;405-9

Differences in body fat and BMI among children of different ethnic backgrounds suggests that cut-off points may need to be ethnic-specific.

Cardiovascular disease

Barzi F, Woodward M, Marfisi RM, Tavazzi L, Valagussa F, Marchioli R on behalf of GISSI-Prevenzione Investigators. Mediterranean diet and all-causes mortality after myocardial infarction: results from the GISSI-Prevenzione trial. Eur J Clin Nutr 2003:57;604-11

This analysis of dietary data from the GISSI-Prevenzione trial found subjects with a better dietary score had a lower disease risk.

Child nutrition

Harnack L, Waiters S-AH, Jacobs DR. Dietary intake and food sources of whole grains among US children and adolescents: Data from the 1994-1996 Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals. J Am Diet Assoc 2003:103:1015-9

This analysis of CSFII data on participants two to 18 years old reported a lower level of whole grain intake with ready-to-eat cereals, corn and other chips, and yeast breads the main food sources.

Thorsdottir I, Gunnarsson BS, Atladottir H, Michaelsen KF, Palsson G. Iron status at 12 months of age--effects of body size, growth and diet in a population with high birth weight. Eur J Clin Nutr 2003:57;505-13

This longitudinal study of 180 Icelandic infants found faster growth and shorter breastfeeding duration from birth to 12 months to be associated with iron deficiency.

Dietary fat

Chanmugam P, Guthrie JF, Cecilio S, Morton JF, Basiotis P, Anand R. Did fat intake in the United States really decline between 1989-1991 and 1994-1996? J Am Diet Assoc 2003:103:867-72

This analysis of CSFII data suggests that decreased percent energy intake from fat may be attributable to higher energy intakes (especially from beverages) rather than a lower absolute fat intake.

Dietary methodology

Bakker I, Twisk JWR, van Mechelen W, Mensink GBM, Kemper HCG. Computerization of a dietary history interview in a running cohort; evaluation within the Amsterdam Growth and Health Longitudinal Study. Eur J Clin Nutr 2003:57;394-404

Data from a computer assisted diet history interview and face-to-face interview were compared, showing greater interviewer bias without the computer, but the two methods were of similar quality.

Livingstone MBE, Robson PJ, Black AE, Coward WA, Wallace JMW, McKinley MC, et al. An evaluation of the sensitivity and specificity of energy expenditure measured by heart rate and the Goldberg cut-off for energy intake: basal metabolic rate for identifying mis-reporting of energy intake by adults and children: a retrospective analysis. Eur J Clin Nutr 2003:57;455-63

This study used the doubly labelled water technique as the gold standard for comparing classification of misreporting, and found a number of pitfalls associated with the sensitivity and specificity of techniques for validating reported energy intakes.

Wheeler ML. Nutrient database for the 2003 exchange lists for meal planning. J Am Diet Assoc 2003:103:894-920

This provides the 2003 figures for exchange lists of more than 500 food groups for meal planning. The most common source for values is the USDA nutritent database.

Glycaemic index

Wolever TMS, Vorster HH, Bjorck I, Brand-Miller J, Brighenti F, Mann JI et al. Determination of the glycaemic index of foods: interlaboratory study. Eur J Clin Nutr 2003:57;475-82

This study compared the GI of four foods in eight to 12 subjects, measured in four centres and found within-subject variation in glycaemic responses to be the main issue in improving precision.

Medical Nutrition Therapy

Franz MJ. The Lenna Francis Cooper Memorial Lecture--The future of clinical dietetics: Evidence, outcomes, and reimbursement. J Am Diet Assoc 2003:103:977-81

This commentary outlines the basis for MNT and discusses problems with nutrition recommendations. It argues that dietitians must act on outcomes of measurement and monitoring to improve coverage.

Pastors JG, Franz MJ, Warshaw H, Daly A, Arnold MS. How effective is medical nutrition therapy in diabetes care? J Am Diet Assoc 2003:103:827-31

This commentary summarises the evidence for effects on MNT in diabetes. Dietitians should use these publications to market their effectiveness.

n-3 fatty acids

Pedersen H, Petersen M, Major-Pedersen A, Jensen T, Nielsen NS, Lauridsen ST et al. Influence offish oil supplementation on in vivo and in vitro oxidation resistance of low-density lipoprotein in type 2 diabetes. Eur J Clin Nutr 2003:57;713-20

This double blinded and placebo controlled study with two parallel arms, involving 44 adults (38-85 years old) with type 2 diabetes mellitus, found eight weeks of fish oil supplements lead to increased in vivo oxidation and increased in vitro oxidation susceptibility of LDL particles. The clinical significance of this finding warrants attention.

Rodriguez A, Raederstorff D, Sarda P, Lauret C, Mendy F, Descomps B. Preterm infant formula supplementation with [alpha] linolenic acid and docosahexaenoic acid. Eur J Clin Nutr 2003:57;727-34

This study of 13 pre-term infants provided with ALA and DHA (DHA/EPA-5/1) enriched formula found growth and n-3 fatty acid metabolism compatible with that of breastfed pre-term infants.

Obesity

Bruss MB, Morris J, Dannison L. Prevention of childhood obesity: Sociological and familial factors. J Am Diet Assoc 2003:103:1042-5

This report of four focus groups of primary caregivers (n = 32) of six- to ten-year-old children found sociocultural values, family expectations, traditional dietary beliefs and attitudes, and knowledge about food and disease were major factors in managing childhood obesity.

Osteoporosis

Ilich JZ, Brownbill RA, Tamborini L. Bone and nutrition in elderly women: protein, energy, and calcium as main determinants of bone mineral density. Eur J Clin Nutr 2003:57;554-65

This cross-sectional study of 136 post-menopausal women found significant relationships between bone mineral density and numerous nutrients, calling for a better understanding of the relationships among nutrients.

Phenolic phytochemieals

Prabhakaran S. Phenolic phytochemicals, their occurrence and characteristics. The Indian Journal of Nutrition and Dietetics 2003:40:38-45

This review outlines the range of phenobic phytochemicals found in foods, their chemical structure and related details.

Plant sterols 

Hendriks HFJ, Brink EJ, Meijer GW, Princen HMG, Ntanios FY. Safety of long-term consumption of plant sterol esters-enriched spread. Eur J Clin Nutr 2003:57;681-92

Consumption of 1.6g plant sterols from 20g spread over one year by 185 volunteers (35-64 years old) demonstrated little effect on carotenoid levels, and none on red blood cell deformability, sex hormone levels and haematological parameters.

Practice guidelines

Lacey K, Pritchett E. Nutrition Care Process and Model: ADA adopts road map to quality care and outcomes management. J Am Diet Assoc 2003:103:1061-72

The paper outlines the ADA Nutrition Care Process a systematic problem solving process, distinct from MNT which stipulates a specific type of care. NCP comprises four distinct steps: assessment, diagnosis, intervention and monitoring/evaluation.

Protein

Fox PF, Kelly AL. Developments in the chemistry and technology of milk proteins 3. Product-related aspects of milk proteins. Food Aust 2003:55;337-40

This third paper in a review series outlines product-related aspects of milk proteins with functional properties.

Wine

Gibson R. Managing international food regulations: wine industry perspective. Food Aust 2003:55;375-8

This feature paper outlines issues relating to wine production, labelling and trade as well as regulations governing wine in Australia.