Community-Based Nutrition Risk Screening in Older Adults (COMRISK): An Exploration of the Experience of Being Screened and Prevalence of Nutrition Risk in Alberta, Canada.

The objectives of this feasibility study were to measure the prevalence of nutrition risk in community-dwelling older adults (CDOA, ages ≥ 65 years) and explore the perspectives of CDOA of the acceptability, value, and effectiveness of nutrition risk screening in primary care and community settings. Using the Seniors in the Community: Risk Evaluation for Eating and Nutrition (SCREEN)© eight-item tool (n = 276), results indicated that moderate and high nutrition risks affected 50 per cent and 8 per cent, respectively, of those screened. Interviewees (n = 16) agreed that screening is acceptable, important, and valuable (Theme One). Effectiveness was unclear, as only 3 of 16 respondents recalled being told their nutrition risk status. When articulating nutrition-related issues, a food security theme, expressed in the third person, was prominent (Theme Two). Screening for nutrition risk and receiving nutrition information in community-based settings are acceptable to CDOA and medically necessary, as evidenced by the high proportion of CDOA at moderate-high nutrition risk.

COMmunity-Based Nutrition RISK Screening in Older Adults Living Independently (COMRISK): Feasibility, Acceptability, and Appropriateness of Community Partnership Models in Alberta, Canada.

This feasibility study of routine nutrition risk screening in community-dwelling older adults using a partnership between health care and community-based organizations (CBO) aimed to (1) evaluate the ability of community-based partnerships to provide screening for nutrition risk, and appropriately refer at-risk individuals for follow-up care and (2) determine the barriers to and facilitators of screening. Adults 65 years of age and older were screened by staff in two primary care and one CBO setting using the Seniors in the Community: Risk Evaluation for Eating and Nutrition (SCREEN)-8 nutrition risk screening tool. Screeners, organization administrators, and registered dietitians responded to surveys regarding SCREEN-8 administration, referral processes, and partnership interactions. All found the SCREEN-8 initiative feasible, acceptable, and appropriate. Sustainability requires strengthening of community resources, referral processes, and telephone assessments. The partnership added value despite limitations in communications. We conclude that broader implementation of this program using community-based partnerships has the potential to aid in the prevention of malnutrition in older adults.

Physical Activity and Exercise Promote Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Expression in Adipose Tissues of Obese Adults.

Background: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) has recently been studied for its potential influence on the functional response of the human body to exercise. We aimed to investigate the association of habitual physical activity (PA) with PPARγ mRNA level in the visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissues (VAT and SAT) in non-obese and obese non-diabetic adults. Methods: VAT and SAT were obtained from 95 individuals, including 40 non-obese (BMI<30kg/m2) and 55 obese (BMI≥30kg/m2) who underwent elective abdominal surgery (Tehran, Iran, 2012-2015). The assessment of habitual PA was performed by a valid and reliable International PA Questionnaire-long form, and the metabolic equivalent of task (MET) was evaluated. Real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase-PCR evaluated the PPARγ expression in VAT and SAT. Results: PPARγ expression in both VAT (1.18 vs. 0.37 fold change, P<0.001) and SAT (2.07 vs. 0.29 fold change, P=0.004) among obese subjects was higher than the non-obese group. After controlling for age, sex, and total energy in-take, a positive association was found between total METs and PPARγ expression in both VAT and SAT among obese participants (ß=0.22, P=0.007 and ß=0.12, P<0.001, respectively). Among obese participants, there was a direct association between leisure time-related METs with VAT PPARγ expression (ß=0.05, P=0.026). Moreover, in this group, an association was observed between occupation-related METs with PPARγ in both fat tissues (ß=0.11, P=0.002 and ß=0.17, P=0.013, respectively), and household work-related METs with SAT PPARγ (ß=0.21, P=0.011). Conclusion: High PA as an indispensable part of a healthy lifestyle may exert its beneficial effect by regulating PPARγ expression.