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Aim The prevalence of disordered eating has been frequently reported in university students; however, the prevalence amongst Australian undergraduate students studying degrees with a focus on nutrition is uncertain. The aims of this study were to: (i) assess eating attitudes and behaviours of students enrolled in nutrition and dietetics, (ii) compare those to students enrolled in another health degree of occupational therapy (OT) and (iii) explore possible relationships between eating attitudes and behaviours and other characteristics of both cohorts. Methods This cross-sectional observational study investigated self-reported anthropometric characteristics, eating attitudes and behaviours and self-esteem using a series of questionnaires. Results Participants included 137 students (119 females, 18 males) with a mean age of 27.1 ± 8.7 years. Fourteen percent of nutrition and dietetics and 11% of OT students had disordered eating attitudes scores that were symptomatic of an eating disorder. Mean eating attitude scores did not differ between the degrees of study. Students in nutrition and dietetics showed significantly higher levels of cognitive restraint and less emotional eating than OT students. Enrolment in the first year of study was the strongest predictor of symptomatic eating attitudes. Conclusions These findings support previously expressed concern about presence of disordered eating in nutrition and dietetics undergraduates. Collaboratively developed support mechanisms for preventing and managing disordered relationships with food would be of benefit to students enrolled in nutrition degrees to ensure ongoing professional integrity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim Protein-energy wasting ( PEW) is prevalent in haemodialysis. Obesity is an independent risk factor of kidney insufficiency, but it is proposed to have beneficial roles in better outcomes in the final stage of disease. Better nutritional status and body reserves are among probable mechanisms, but direct examinations are limited. The present study aimed to investigate whether obese patients have preferable nutritional status compared to normal weight patients based on malnutrition inflammation score ( MIS) and other PEW parameters in haemodialysis. Methods This case-control study investigated 52 normal weight (18.5 < body mass index ( BMI) < 25 kg/m2) and 48 obese ( BMI≥30 kg/m2) patients on regular haemodialysis. PEW was assessed based on anthropometric and biochemical factors, recent weight changes, appetite, anorexia, dietary intake and MIS. Results Obese patients had better MIS compared with the normal weight group ( P < 0.001), although varying degrees of wasting were prevalent among this group too (75% mild and 25% moderate wasting). The obese group had less significant weight loss (4.2 vs 8%) and anorexia and better appetite. However, a considerable percentage of patients in both groups showed muscle (94.6% of normal weight and 19.5% of obese) and peripheral fat tissue (89.2% of normal weight and 31.7% of obese) losses compared to the 50th percentile. Biochemical parameters were not significantly different between groups except for triglyceride ( P = 0.001), transferrin and total iron-binding capacity ( P = 0.028). Conclusions MIS was significantly better in obese patients; however, both groups showed degrees of wasting based on MIS and other PEW parameters. Nutritional status of obese haemodialysis patients should be monitored regularly because of high risk of PEW like other BMI categories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The impact of sarcopenia on hospitalisation has been under intense investigation; however, little is known about the association between sarcopenia and their costs among hospitalised patients. The aim of the present study was to quantify the association between sarcopenia and hospitalisation costs among older adults. Methods: A cross ‐ sectional study was conducted in 201 hospitalised older adults in a general hospital. Sarcopenia was identified according to the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP) criteria. Muscle mass was assessed by anthropometric measurements, muscle strength through handgrip strength evaluation and physical performance by Timed Up and Go Test. Nutritional status was evaluated using the Mini Nutritional Assessment—Short Form (MNA ‐ SF), and hospital costs were assessed with the Diagnosis Related Groups (DRGs) system. Multivariable logistic regression models were fitted to quantify the association between sarcopenia and hospital costs. Increased hospital costs were considered when a patients′ cost was higher than the mean cost of an average patient (€2396.24). Results: Within this sample, 10.4% sarcopenic, 43.8% at nutritional risk and 14.9% undernourished older adults were identified. After adjustment, sarcopenia (OR = 5.70, 95% CI 1.57 – 20.71) and low muscle strength (OR = 2.40, 95% CI 1.12 – 5.15) were associated with increased hospital costs. Conclusions: Sarcopenia and low muscle strength at hospital admission were independently associated with increased hospital costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]