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Dietetics has changed substantially; a mixed-methods project was undertaken to: (i) gauge interest in the profession history since 1993, (ii) identify preferred format(s), (iii) identify possible topics, and (iv) identify possible key informants. An online bilingual survey was conducted in 2018, with follow-up phone interviews among interested respondents. Survey content was organised as 12 major topics. Respondents were invited via a Dietitians of Canada (DC) newsletter, Facebook groups, and at the DC national conference. Survey data, including respondent-generated topics of interest and interview content, were descriptively analyzed. The online survey garnered 360 responses; 332 (92%) completed more than 10% of the survey and were interested in history. Detailed responses were analyzed (296 English; 36 French); 51 were interviewed. An online timeline was the most preferred format (79%). Review of the rise in technology and obesity, aging, supermarket registered dietitians (RDs), the local/organic movement, Practice-based Evidence in Nutrition (PEN), the changes in training models and scope of practice, public awareness of the profession, and advocacy and unique career paths were of most interest (≥ 50% of respondents). These results confirm interest in the recent history of the profession among RDs and provide guidance on preferred format and topics for further work.

Primary care providers have a role to play in supporting the development of healthy eating habits, particularly in a child's early years. This study examined the feasibility of implementing the NutriSTEP® screen-a 17-item nutrition risk screening tool validated for use with both toddler and preschooler populations-integrated with an electronic medical record (EMR) in primary care practices in Ontario, Canada, to inform primary care decision-making and public health surveillance.Five primary care practices implemented the NutriSTEP screen as a standardized form into their EMRs. To understand practitioners' experiences with delivery and assess factors associated with successful implementation, we conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews with primary care providers who were most knowledgeable about NutriSTEP implementation at their site. We assessed the quality of the extracted patient EMR data by determining the number of fully completed NutriSTEP screens and documented growth measurements of children.Primary care practices implemented the NutriSTEP screen as part of a variety of routine clinical contacts; specific data collection processes varied by site. Valid NutriSTEP screen data were captured in the EMRs of 80% of primary care practices. Approximately 90% of records had valid NutriSTEP screen completions and 70% of records had both valid NutriSTEP screen completions and valid growth measurements.Integration of NutriSTEP as a standardized EMR form is feasible in primary care practices, although implementation varied in our study. The application of EMR-integrated NutriSTEP screening as part of a comprehensive childhood healthy weights surveillance system warrants further exploration.Les fournisseurs de soins primaires ont un rôle à jouer dans l’acquisition de saines habitudes alimentaires, en particulier au cours des premières années de vie. Cette étude porte sur la faisabilité de l’intégration de NutriSTEP® – un outil valide de dépistage des risques nutritionnels en 17 points chez les tout‑petits et les enfants d’âge préscolaire – au dossier médical électronique (DME) dans les établissements de soins primaires de l’Ontario (Canada), afin d’éclairer la prise de décisions en matière de soins primaires et la surveillance en santé publique.Cinq établissements de soins primaires ont intégré, au moyen d’un questionnaire normalisé, le programme de dépistage NutriSTEP au DME. Afin de comprendre les expériences vécues par les professionnels en la matière et d’évaluer les facteurs associés à la réussite de l’implantation de NutriSTEP, nous avons mené des entrevues semi‑dirigées de nature qualitative auprès des fournisseurs de soins primaires connaissant le mieux les détails de sa mise en oeuvre dans leur établissement. Nous avons évalué la qualité des données extraites des DME en déterminant le nombre de questionnaires de dépistage NutriSTEP dûment remplis et avons consigné les mesures de croissance des enfants.Les établissements de soins primaires ont mis en oeuvre le questionnaire de dépistage NutriSTEP dans le cadre de diverses rencontres cliniques périodiques, avec des processus de collecte de données variables selon l’établissement. Des données de dépistage NutriSTEP valides ont été recueillies dans les DME de 80 % des établissements de soins primaires. Dans près de 90 % de ces dossiers, le questionnaire avait été entièrement rempli et 70 % des dossiers comportaient à la fois un questionnaire de dépistage NutriSTEP valide complet et des mesures de croissance valides.Il est possible d’intégrer NutriSTEP dans les établissements de soins primaires sous la forme d’un questionnaire normalisé dans le DME, même si, dans notre étude, la façon dont NutriSTEP avait été mis en oeuvre variait selon les établissements. L’utilisation, dans le cadre d’un système de surveillance global du poids santé des enfants, du questionnaire de dépistage NutriSTEP intégré au DME mérite d’être étudiée davantage.Primary care practices present an opportunity to identify nutrition risk in children using the NutriSTEP screening tool. Successful implementation of an EMR-integrated NutriSTEP screen varied by primary care practice site. Extraction of NutriSTEP data from EMRs is feasible; extracted data were of good quality. Implementation of an EMR-integrated NutriSTEP screen presents an opportunity to improve the care and management of children and their families, as well as support population health outcomes and health system quality improvement.Les milieux de soins primaires offrent l’opportunité d’identifier les risques nutritionnels chez les enfants en utilisant l’outil de dépistage NutriSTEP. La réussite de l’intégration de l’outil de dépistage NutriSTEP au DME s’est révélée variable d’un établissement de soins primaires à l’autre. L’extraction des données NutriSTEP à partir du DME est possible, et les données extraites se sont révélées de bonne qualité. L’intégration de l’outil de dépistage NutriSTEP au DME offre l’opportunité d’améliorer les soins et la prise en charge des enfants et de leur famille ainsi que de favoriser l’amélioration des résultats en matière de santé de la population et de qualité du système de santé.

This cross-sectional study explores associations between mothers&rsquo, and fathers&rsquo, food parenting practices and children&rsquo, s nutrition risk, while examining whether family functioning modifies or confounds the association. Home observations assessed parents&rsquo, food parenting practices during dinnertime (n = 73 families with preschoolers). Children&rsquo, s nutrition risk was calculated using NutriSTEP&reg, Linear regression models examined associations between food parenting practices and NutriSTEP&reg, scores. An interaction term (family functioning &times, food parenting practice) explored effect modification, models were adjusted for family functioning to explore confounding. Among mothers, more frequent physical food restriction was associated with higher nutrition risk in their children (&beta, = 0.40 NutriSTEP&reg, points, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 2.30, 7.58) and among both mothers and fathers, positive comments about the target child&rsquo, s food were associated with lower nutrition risk (mothers: &beta, = &minus, 0.31 NutriSTEP&reg, points, 95% CI = &minus, 0.54, &minus, 0.08, fathers: &beta, 0.27 NutriSTEP&reg, 0.75, &minus, 0.01) in models adjusted for parent education and child Body Mass Index (BMI) z-score. Family functioning did not modify these associations and they remained significant after adjustment for family functioning. Helping parents to use positive encouragement rather than restriction may help to reduce their children&rsquo, s nutrition risk.

OBJECTIVE: To test the feasibility, acceptability and preliminary impact of Parents and Tots Together (PTT), a family-based obesity prevention intervention, in Canada. PARTICIPANTS: Canadian parents of preschoolers (aged 2–5 years). SETTING: Ontario Early Years centres in southwestern Ontario. INTERVENTION: A pilot randomized controlled trial involving 48 parents who received either the PTT intervention ( n = 27) or an attention-matched control home safety intervention ( n = 21). To evaluate the feasibility of PTT, we assessed participant retention and outcome evaluation completion rates. To evaluate acceptability, we assessed program attendance and parents’ responses to program satisfaction surveys. To evaluate preliminary impact, we assessed children’s body mass index (BMI) at baseline, after intervention (end of 9-week intervention) and at 9-month follow-up. As well, at each time point, parents completed surveys assessing stress and self-efficacy related to parenting, children’s sleep, activity, TV viewing and diet. OUTCOMES: Retention rates were high in the intervention (93%) and control (84%) study arms, and 87% of parents reported that they would highly recommend PTT to a friend. At 9-month follow-up, intervention parents reported lower parenting stress ( β ＾ = 15.83, 95% confidence interval [CI] -29.57, -2.07, p = 0.02) and greater self-efficacy in managing their child’s behaviour ( β ＾ = 0.16, 95% CI 0.002, 0.33, p = 0.05) than control parents. PTT had minimal influence on children’s weight-related behaviours and BMI. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that PTT can feasibly be implemented and tested in the Canadian context. Preliminary impact results suggest that the program may be effective in changing general parenting; however, program content should be modified to adequately address children’s weight-related behaviours.

The tolerable upper intake levels (UL) for zinc for children were based on limited data and there is concern that the UL may be set too low. The first effect of excessive zinc intake is a reduction in copper status. The primary objective of this study was to examine the effect of zinc supplementation on copper status in children. Healthy, 6- to 8-y-old boys from Ontario, Canada were assigned to take a placebo (n = 10) or 5 mg (n = 10), 10 mg (n = 9), or 15 mg (n = 8) of zinc supplement daily for 4 mo in a double-blinded, placebo-controlled, randomized trial. Biochemical measures were evaluated at baseline and after 2 and 4 mo of supplementation. Food records were completed near the baseline and 4-mo visits. Age and anthropometric measurements did not differ (P > 0.05) between treatment groups at baseline. Mean zinc intakes from food alone (10.9-14.8 mg zinc/d) approached or exceeded the UL of 12 mg/d. Compared with the placebo group, the zinc groups had a greater change in the urine zinc:creatinine ratio at 4 mo (P = 0.02). Traditional (plasma copper and ceruloplasmin activity) and more sensitive biomarkers of copper status, including erythrocyte SOD1 activity and the erythrocyte CCS:SOD1 protein ratio, were unchanged in zinc-supplemented boys, demonstrating that copper status was not depressed. Serum lipid measures and hemoglobin concentrations were also unaffected and gastrointestinal symptoms were not reported. These data provide evidence in support of the need for reexamining the current UL for zinc for children.

To report bone mineral density (BMD) in young, reportedly healthy Canadian women and to determine whether lifestyle factors that have been associated with bone health in older women are also associated with BMD in young women.We recruited a convenience sample of 52 female undergraduate students in the Applied Human Nutrition program at the University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada. BMD was measured at the femoral neck, lumbar spine (L1 to L4), and whole body using a Discovery Wi (Hologic Inc.) dual-energy x-ray absorptiometer. Subjects completed a questionnaire to collect demographics, medical history, physical activity levels, and dietary habits; in addition, a subset of subjects (n = 31) completed a food frequency questionnaire to collect data on calcium and vitamin D intake. BMD data were examined using T- and Z-score classifications established by the World Health Organization (WHO); multiple regression analysis was used to predict BMD with biological and lifestyle variables.Mean BMD measured at the femoral neck, lumbar spine, and whole body was 0.863 ± 0.11, 1.019 ± 0.09, and 1.085 ± 0.07 g/cm(2), respectively. Body mass and body mass index were significantly positively correlated with BMD at all 3 sites. Television watching, lactose intolerance, number of alcoholic drinks consumed per week, and age were used to develop a linear regression model to predict whole-body BMD (r(2) = 0.727, p0.001).Based on criteria established by the WHO, women in this group presented with lower than expected BMD.

To compare resting metabolic rate (RMR) measured by indirect calorimetry versus RMR predicted by several published formulas in a sample of healthy young women.RMR was measured using indirect calorimetry and predicted using 6 commonly used equations (Nelson, 1992; Mifflin, 1990; Owen, 1986; Schofield(Weight), 1985; Schofield(Weight and Height), 1985; Harris-Benedict, 1919) in 47 reportedly healthy young females (age = 22.8 ± 2.9 years; body mass index = 21.8 ± 2.1 kg/m(2)). Comparisons between measured versus predicted RMR were conducted using paired t tests, and agreement using Pearson's correlation coefficient, analysis of variance, and the method of Bland-Altman.All 6 equations overestimated measured RMR by 140-738 kcal/d (all p0.001). The proportion of subjects for whom measured versus predicted RMR differed by ±10% ranged from 74% (Nelson) to 100% (Harris-Benedict). The adjusted coefficients of determination (R(2)) between measured and predicted RMR ranged from 0.13 to 0.19 (all p0.05). Bland-Altman analysis R(2) values ranged from 0.03 (p = 0.233; Harris-Benedict) to 0.72 (p = 0.000; Owen). Given its continued popularity, we modified the Harris-Benedict equation (RMR(modified Harris-Benedict) (kcal/d) = 738 / (RMR(Harris-Benedict) - 738)). Doing so reduced the mean difference between measured and predicted RMR from +738 kcal/d to -0.53 kcal/d (p = 0.984).No equation performed well, and none should be used interchangeably with measured RMR. We recommend that a new equation be validated for, and prospectively tested in, young women. In the interim, RMR should be measured in this population or predicted using the modified Harris-Benedict equation that we developed.

ObjectiveFolic acid food fortification has successfully reduced neural tube defect-affected pregnancies across Canada. The effect of this uncontrolled public health intervention on folate intake among Canadian children is, however, unknown. Our objectives were to determine folic acid intake from food fortification and whether fortification promoted adequate folate intakes, and to describe folic acid-fortified food usage among Ontario preschoolers.DesignCross-sectional data were used from the NutriSTEP™ validation project with preschoolers recruited using convenience sampling. Mean daily total folate and folic acid intakes were estimated from 3 d food records, which included multivitamin supplement use. Comparisons were made to Dietary Reference Intakes, accounting for and excluding fortificant folic acid, to determine the prevalence of inadequate and excessive intakes.SettingCanada.SubjectsTwo hundred and fifty-four preschoolers (aged 3–5 years).ResultsAll participants (130 girls, 124 boys) ate folic acid-fortified foods and 30 % (n76) used folic acid-containing supplements. Mean (se) fortificant folic acid intake was 83 (2) μg/d, which contributed 30 % and 50 % to total folate intake for supplement users and non-users, respectively. The prevalence of total folate intakes below the Estimated Average Requirement was ConclusionsFolic acid food fortification promotes dietary folate adequacy and did not appear to result in excessive folic acid intake unless folic acid-containing supplements were consumed.

Introduction and Rationale Weight change and, specifically, weight loss are common in residents of long-term care facilities (LTCFs). The occurrence of weight change results from multifactorial processes, some of which can be considered nutrition risk factors. Meal rounds can be a continuous quality improvement activity to readily identify nutrition risk factors that can influence weight change. Methods This brief report will describe the activity of meal rounds and how they can be used to improve nutrition services. Baseline data from a previously published study on 37 residents will provide proportions of nutrition risk factors identified during meal rounds that can influence weight change. Outcomes Feeding and eating difficulties are prevalent in residents with dementia (eg, agitation 29.7%, resisting assistance 21.6%). Early identification of these difficulties using meal rounds may be a means of preventing weight change and promoting quality nutrition care in LTCFs. The proposed intervention of meal rounds conducted as described can improve the quality of nutrition services in LTCFs.

Osteoporosis is a major public health concern in Canada and worldwide. Although much is known about bone health in older adults, little is known about bone health in young, healthy Canadian men and women. The objectives of this research were to describe bone mineral density (BMD) of young, healthy adults living in southern Ontario, Canada, and to identify predictors of BMD in this population. Two-hundred and fifty-eight Caucasian men and women aged 18–33 years completed health and physical activity questionnaires along with a calcium and vitamin D specific food frequency questionnaire. Height and mass were measured. BMD of the total hip, femoral neck, spine, and total body was measured using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Among men, body mass, weight-bearing physical activity, and calcium intake were significant predictors of BMD. Among women, body mass, calcium intake, and family history of osteoporosis significantly predicted log BMD. The predictors of BMD in young Canadian men and women identified in this study may inform the development of longitudinal studies designed to examine the influence of lifestyle factors on BMD in young adults.

In this study, we measured concentrations of Cr in hair, serum, and urine of men who were previously employed in the leather tanning industry. Concentrations of Cr in hair and serum were significantly lower than corresponding values obtained during their employment and were comparable to levels obtained for controls in a previous study. These results suggest that Cr III accumulated from employment in the leather tanning industry does not result in long-term elevation of Cr concentrations in the body.

Purpose: The child care setting can help preschoolers develop healthy eating habits. Establishing such habits may increase preschoolers’ likelihood of carrying them into adulthood, which can decrease the risk of nutrition-related chronic diseases. Challenges in supporting preschoolers’ healthy eating were investigated among child care staff.Methods: Three focus group interviews were conducted with 29 child care staff members. Audiotapes of the sessions were transcribed.Results: Several themes were identified from the analysis of the transcripts. An intrapersonal (individual) factor was children's picky eating. Interpersonal factors (interactions) included perceptions that parents do not encourage their children to eat in a healthy way, and that child care staff's use of practices were inconsistent with health professional recommendations. Physical environment factors included perceptions that healthy food was not accessible at child care centres and that children have unhealthy food at home.Conclusions: Program planners and health professionals can develop and implement strategies to overcome some of the identified challenges to supporting preschoolers’ healthy eating.

To establish the validity and reproducibility of the dietary component of a mobile vitamin D calculator app.Participants entered their dietary intake into the Vitamin D Calculator app on 3 recording days over 1 month and underwent subsequent 24-hour dietary recalls.There were 50 adults (25 female), aged 18-25 years (mean, 22 ± 2 years). Paired-samples t tests tested for significant differences (P.05) in mean vitamin D and calcium intake between the app and dietary recalls; Bland-Altman plots assessed agreement between the 2 measures. Intra-class correlations and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests assessed reproducibility of intakes estimated by the app. Mean vitamin D (n = 50) and calcium (n = 48) intakes and risk classifications did not differ significantly between the 2 measures (P.05).The Vitamin D Calculator app is a valid classification measure for dietary vitamin D and calcium intake. This tool could be used by the general public to increase awareness and intake of these nutrients.

Background Parents influence their children’s obesity risk through feeding behaviours and modeling of weight-related behaviours. Little is known about how the general home environment, including parental stress, may influence children’s weight. The objective of this study was to explore the association between parenting stress and child body mass index (BMI) as well as obesity risk factors, physical activity and television (TV) viewing. Methods We used cross-sectional data from 110 parent–child dyads participating in a community-based parenting intervention. Child heights and weights were measured by trained research assistants. Parents (93% mothers) reported level of parenting stress via the Parenting Stress Index- Short Form (PSI-3-SF) as well as children’s activity behaviours and TV viewing. This was an ethnically diverse (55% Hispanic/Latino, 22% Black), low-income (64% earning