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Metabolic syndrome is characterized by obesity, hyperglycemia, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and inflammation. Its incidence is increasing across all segments of the population. Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency has been linked to many of the characteristics of metabolic syndrome. Research also indicates that in the United States, current recommended intakes may be set too low for vitamin D. Establishing optimal vitamin D intake levels and identifying means to achieve those intakes could prove to be of great benefit in prevention and treatment of metabolic syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Registered dietitians (RDs) took an electronic survey regarding the perceived graduate education needs and opinions on pursuing graduate degrees. A sample of 1166 RDs were surveyed. The usable response rate was 39.7%. Respondents were stratified into 3 groups for comparison. Results were reported descriptively, and [chi] 2 and Pearson correlation coefficients were used to test relationships. Reasons for pursuing graduate degrees included enhanced knowledge (77.2%) and personal development (61.6%). Reasons for not pursing graduate degrees included no increased compensation/benefits (66.3%) and insufficient time (49.5%). Significantly more RDs with postprofessional graduate degrees than the other groups perceived the need for the following courses: Applied Physiology (P = .006), Clinical Management (P = .028), Applied Clinical Research (P < .001), and Outcomes Research (P < .001). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The primary purpose of this prospective 12-week intervention study was to measure the impact of a 12-week worksite wellness program on weight loss and improvement in blood pressure (BP), total cholesterol, serum glucose, waist circumference (WC), waist-hip ratio (WHR), and lifestyle habits among adult employees on the urban campus of a health sciences university. All participants attended 12 weekly group sessions with a registered dietitian and met individually with a registered dietitian at baseline and weeks 6 and 12. At baseline and week 12, anthropometric and hematologic parameters and BP were measured. The main outcome measures were changes in weight, WC, total cholesterol, serum glucose, BP, WHR, and body mass index (BMI). Using statistical package for the social science (SPSSv)14.0for data entry and analysis, frequency distributions, paired t tests, Pearson and point biserial correlation coefficients, and simple linear regression were employed. Of the 147 individuals enrolled, 82% completed the program. Mean baseline BMI is 33. Paired t tests demonstrated significant reductions in weight (P = .0005), BMI (P = .0005), WC (P = .0005), WHR (P = .002), cholesterol (P = .0005), and BP (P = .021 systolic, P = .006 diastolic). Weight reduction was significantly correlated with reduction in systolic BP (r = 0.310, P = .001), diastolic BP (r = 0.226, P = .016), % body fat (r = 0.234, P = .012), and cholesterol (r = 0.211, P = .023). Significant improvements in outcome measures were achieved. The results support worksite wellness interventions in the academic health sciences setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents an overview of medical nutrition therapy (MNT) and diabetes self-management education (DSME). DSME includes self-monitoring of blood glucose levels, exercise and medications, and MNT has been an important component of diabetes management. The Diabetes Control and Complications Trial demonstrated that lowering blood glucose levels slows disease progression and prevents the development of complications.

The objective of the study was to assess the level of agreement between the registered dietitian (RD) and the speech-language pathologist (SLP) regarding the determination of dysphagia risk and diet order in hospitalized stroke patients and to determine predictors of dysphagia that the RD can use to effectively identify individuals in this population. In this prospective single-blinded study of 32 patients admitted to the hospital stroke team, the RD used a dysphagia screening tool. Results were compared to the bedside swallowing evaluation by an SLP to assess the level of agreement on dysphagia risk and diet recommendations. Demographic data, nutrition risk, and MD and RN documentation of dysphagia risk factors were compared utilizing frequency distributions (JMP-In, alpha P = .05). The statistic was used to assess agreement regarding dysphagia risk, diet consistency, and liquid restrictions. Logistical regression was used to identify the best predictors of dysphagia risk. The RD identified 40.6% of patients (n = 13) and the SLP identified 31.3% of patients (n = 10) as being at risk for dysphagia. There was excellent agreement (kappa = 0.80) on determination of dysphagia risk, perfect agreement (kappa = 1.00) on order for oral diet (p.o. vs n.p.o.), excellent agreement on ability to take liquids (kappa = 0.83), and very good agreement on types of solid diet orders (kappa = 0.79). An abbreviated dysphagia screening tool was designed as a result of regression analysis. This study demonstrated that the RD can effectively identify dysphagia risk and has a role in screening acute stroke patients for dysphagia. Incorporating dysphagia screening as part of standard nutritional care expands the role of the RD, and benefits stroke patients by early identification and intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]