Reporting on the Status of Nutrition Programs of Higher Education in the Syrian Arab Republic: A Current Snapshot.

Background: The Syrian Arab Republic (SAR) is experiencing high rates of malnutrition. While many adults experience overweight and obesity, as a direct result of the continuing conflict, SAR is also noted as one of the most food-insecure regions in the Arab world. To combat the health impacts and outcomes related to diet and dietary behaviors, trained nutrition professionals are needed. We aimed to examine current nutrition-affiliated programs offered in post-secondary institutions in the SAR. Methods: The search was conducted between Jan and Feb 2021. An electronic review of universities and colleges' websites, department webpages, and academic programs' homepages and resources of all the private and public universities in SAR was conducted to find programs related to nutrition, nutrition sciences, and dietetics. Results: Only 13%, or 4 out of 30 SAR colleges and universities had bachelor's programs in nutrition or nutrition science, and none had nutrition programs at the graduate or terminal degree levels. Conclusion: A pathway for integration of graduates from nutrition sciences into the healthcare and public health workforce should be defined and an understanding of the value of those with a degree in nutrition should be cultivated in clinical and community care settings. Partnering with existing or creating independent organizations charged with defining the scope of practice and ensuring educational quality and competence of graduating students, as well as readiness to practice as part of a healthcare team or in a public health nutrition role will be integral to moving the nutrition profession forward in the SAR.

A Scoping Review of Nutrition Education Interventions Applied in Prison Settings.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Over 11 million individuals are incarcerated globally, facing health challenges such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, possibly exacerbated by prison diets. The objective of this scoping review is to explore the various available types of nutrition education interventions that currently exist in the literature applied in prison settings. RECENT FINDINGS: Utilizing the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews, 19 databases were searched for studies on nutrition interventions in prisons from 2000 to May 2023, guided by the "PICO" structure. Inclusion criteria encompassed articles in five languages from peer-reviewed journals focusing solely on nutrition education interventions. Rayyan QCRI software was utilized for screening and data extraction. Fifteen international studies were analyzed, covering various countries and targeting different populations in prisons. Interventions varied from nutrition education to comprehensive health programs. The outcomes were inconsistent, with some showing health improvements and others encountering challenges. Few utilized established theoretical frameworks, indicating a research gap. The range of interventions highlights the potential complexity of nutrition education interventions within prisons. Implementing recognized theoretical frameworks may enhance effectiveness. The diverse outcomes highlight the challenges in creating impactful programs, emphasizing foundational issues. Recommendations focus on rigorous research designs and understanding prison-specific complexities. Nutrition education interventions in incarcerated settings present varied results, emphasizing the need for well-structured, theoretically grounded, and carefully evaluated programs. Future strategies should recognize the multifaceted nature of correctional facilities, aiming for holistic approaches to improve health in prisons.

Degree-Granting Nutrition Programs in the Republic of Yemen: A Status Report on Postsecondary Education.

Yemen is noted as one of the most food-insecure countries in the Arab world coupled with high rates of malnutrition. To address the public health outcomes related to nutrition, trained nutrition professionals are needed. This report provides a snapshot of current nutrition-affiliated programs offered in postsecondary institutions in Yemen. Partnering with or creating independent organizations responsible for defining the scope of practice is warranted. Additionally, ensuring educational quality, program accreditation, and competence of graduating students and readiness to practice will be central to progressively moving Yemen's dietetics profession forward.

A comparative review of nutrition education intervention duration and impact on reduction of prediabetes or Type 2 diabetes mellitus among adults aged 45 years or older.

Prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is increasingly prevalent and both conditions have a variety of comorbidities. There are many programs aimed at the reduction or prevention of prediabetes and/or T2DM. However, only a few studies have evaluated the effect of intervention duration and evidence-based frameworks on specific populations at risk for prediabetes or T2DM. This review evaluated evidence-based lifestyle intervention programs to determine whether the duration of programming relates to the efficacy of evidence-based lifestyle change interventions. The aim was to assess relevant outcomes of these interventions in prediabetic or T2DM individuals aged 45 and older. The PRISMA framework was followed. Searches systematically screened and evaluated 2654 articles. Thirteen articles met the inclusion/exclusion criteria. Databases searched included: PubMed; SCOPUS; ProQuest; Biomed Central; SpringerLink; ScienceDirect; EBSCOHost; JSTOR; Taylor & Francis; Wiley Online; BioOne; CINAHL; SAGE Journal; and Google Scholar (2009-2022). Identifying the most effective timeframe for lifestyle intervention programming to reduce the risks associated with prediabetes/T2DM can help providers develop appropriate educational initiatives for patients at risk for pre-diabetes and/or T2DM. After screening, there were 13 studies which met the review criteria. All of the studies included in this comparative review used evidence-based interventions. Evidence-based lifestyle intervention programs that are ≥12 months produced significant and consistent results in mediating outcomes related to prediabetes/T2DM than <12-month programs in adults aged 45 years and older.

Technology-based nutrition interventions using the Mediterranean diet: a systematic review.

CONTEXT: Over the past 2 decades, overweight and obesity rates have increased exponentially, along with related comorbidities including type 2 diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and some cancers. The Mediterranean Diet (MDiet) has been suggested as a potential way to mitigate the health burdens related to overweight and obesity. OBJECTIVE: For this review, the literature on MDiet-focused digital interventions was examined to determine efficacy, best practices, and potential limitations. DATA SOURCES: The search was conducted across 15 databases for relevant publications published through April 2020 in English, French, Spanish, Arabic, or Italian. DATA EXTRACTION: Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines were followed using a combination of keywords and phrases and evaluated independently for relevance, merit, and inclusion and exclusion criteria. DATA ANALYSIS: The systematic literature review resulted in 15 articles that met the search criteria. Ten interventions were delivered online, and 5 were delivered via smartphone using an app. The majority of online MDiet-focused interventions were effective, particularly when modeled after evidence-based and best-practice online nutrition education interventions. Such interventions also are effective for promoting positive health behaviors and health outcomes, such as increased physical activity, increased levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and a lower total high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio. CONCLUSION: Technology-based interventions to educate and promote adherence to the MDiet are successful in helping individuals achieve the stated outcomes. More research is needed to determine the efficacy of MDiet interventions delivered via smartphone apps.