[Evaluation of the utility of a Nutrition Education Program with Eating Disorders]. / Evaluación de la utilidad de un Programa de Educación Nutricional en Trastornos de la Conducta Alimentaria.

INTRODUCTION: As eating disorders include both psychological and physiological components, appropriate management of these disorders requires input from a number of disciplines working together in a coordinated manner, following an integrated Programme. The Eating Disorders-Nutrition Education Programme has as its purpose achieving healthier habits and modifying eating behaviour. The Programme should take place as one part of Eating Disorders treatment. OBJECTIVES: To determine the efficacy of a Nutrition Education Programme about nutritional state and eating patterns in a group of patients diagnosed with Eating Disorders who follow the usual check-up protocol in the clinic for nutrition and mental health. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 89 patients were included, including 5% men. They received individual nutritional education with weekly/fortnightly appointments during a period of 4-6 months. Educational counseling was carried out by a dietician. The mean age of the sample was 24 +/- 8 years and the diagnoses were: Anorexia Nervosa Restrictive (ANR) 32.5% Anorexia Nervosa Purgative (ANP) 26.5%, Bulimia Nervosa (BN) 18%, Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS) 21% and Binge Eating Disorder (BED) 2%. The average evolution time since the diagnosis was 4.8 +/- 5 years. An anthropometric assessment, assessment of daily oral intake, 24-hour dietary recall, and Eating Attitudes Test (EAT26) questionnaires were completed at the first appointment and again at the end of the programme. RESULTS: The mean score of the EAT26 questionnaire was 32 +/- 15 initially, and after 4-6 months the score was 23.7 +/- 14 (p < 0.001). This change represents a significant improvement in the patients' symptoms after the Programme. Furthermore there were significant differences in the evaluation of the questionnaire by scales and by diagnosis. After 4-6 months, there was a meaningful reduction in episodes of vomiting per week (from 7.5 +/- 10 to 1 +/- 1.8 p < 0.001) in ANP and BN binge-purging (8 +/- 9.7 vs 2.2 +/- 3.2 p < 0,01). In addition, a favourable trend in the number of binges per week was observed for both diagnoses. The percentage of subjects that ate less than 4 meals per day decreased from 70% to 19% after the Education Programme (p < 0.001). Some 67% of the patients dedicated a specific time for eating and a 54% started to have complete meals. These results that show a very favourable tendency with respect to the normalization of eating patterns. There was improvement in the intake of dairy products, vegetables, fruits, cereals and oil (p < 0.05). At the beginning, 34% consumed at least 3 of the 6 food groups within the recommended range, but at the end 70% did (p < 0.001). After the nutritional education programme, an important increase in energy ingestion and carbonhydrate consumption took place (p < 0.001), as much with ANR as with ANP. With respect to micronutrients, the ingestion of vitamin B2 significantly increased, as well as folic acid and calcium (p < 0.001) in ANP, and magnesium and calcium (p < 0.001) in ANR. In ANR, we found a significant improvement in nutritional status (p < 0.001). Variables including weight, BMI, muscular circumference of the arm and tricipetal fold were at the limit of significance. Regarding ANP and EDNOS, the initial evaluation demonstrated that they were within normal limits, and they were maintained after nutritional education. In BN, progress towards normalization of BMI took place, increasing from 26.4 +/- 6.6 to 25.5 +/- 5.7 (-2.3 kg). CONCLUSIONS: The Nutritional Education Programme carried out by qualified professionals should be a part of Eating Disorders treatment, along with medical and psychological monitoring and as part of an interdisciplinary, multiprofessional team effort.

Evaluación de la utilidad de un Programa de Educación Nutricional en Trastornos de la Conducta Alimentaria / Evaluation of the utility of a nutrition education program with ealing disorders

Introducción: Los Trastornos de la Conducta Alimentaria incluyen componentes psíquicos y físicos, por lo que para un adecuado abordaje de los mismos se debe trabajar dentro de un Programa integral con la participación de diferentes disciplinas. La Educación Nutricional busca la modificación de la conducta alimentaria hacia patrones más saludables y debe formar parte del Programa de tratamiento de esta enfermedad. Objetivo: Determinar el efecto de un programa de Educación Nutricional sobre el estado nutricional y el patrón alimentario de un grupo de pacientes con Trastornos de la Conducta Alimentaria que siguen con el protocolo habitual de seguimiento en consulta de Nutrición y deSalud Mental. Metodología: Se incluyeron 89 pacientes, 5% hombres, que recibieron Educación Nutricional individual con visitas semanales/quincenales por 4-6 meses, llevadas a cabo por una Dietista. La edad media 24 ± 8 años. La distribución por diagnóstico fue: Anorexia Nerviosa Restrictiva (ANR) 32,5% y Anorexia Nerviosa Purgativa (ANP) 26,5%, Bulimia Nerviosa (BN) 18%, Trastorno Alimentario No Específico (TANE) 21% y Trastorno por Atracón (TA) 2%. La media del tiempo de evolución desde el diagnóstico fue de 4,8 ± 5 años. Los pacientes completaban el cuestionario EAT26 (Eating Attitudes Test-26), se realizaba evaluación antropométrica, registro de 24 h y frecuencia habitual de consumo de alimentos en la primera consulta y tras recibir el programa de educación nutricional. Resultados: El valor medio del cuestionario EAT26 fue inicialmente 32 ± 15, tras la intervención fue 23,7 ± 14 (p < 0,001), lo que evidencia cambios significativos en la sintomatología de los pacientes muy positivos. También hubo diferencias significativas en el análisis del cuestionario por escalas y en la evaluación por diagnósticos. Tras los 4-6 meses del programa, disminuyó significativamente el número de vómitos/semana tanto en ANP (7,2 ± 10 vs 1 ± 1,8 p < 0,001) como en BN (8 ± 9,7 vs 2,2 ± 3,2 p < 0,01). También se observó una tendencia favorable en la disminución en el número de atracones/semana para ambos diagnósticos. El porcentaje de pacientes que consumían menos de 4 comidas/día se redujo de un 70% a un 19% (p < 0,001). El 67% de los pacientes logró dedicar un tiempo definido como correcto a comer y un 54% pasó a consumir una comida completa, resultados que muestran una tendencia muy favorable respecto a la normalización del patrón alimentario. Aumentó significativamente el consumo de lácteos, verduras, cereales, aceite (p < 0,001), carnes (p < 0,05) y frutas (p < 0,01). Inicialmente un 34% consumía por lo menos 3 de los 6 grupos de alimentos dentro del rango recomendado, al final lo hizo el 70% (p < 0,001). Tras la educación nutricional se produjo un incremento significativo en la ingesta energética y en el consumo de hidratos de carbono (p < 0,001) tanto en ANR como en ANP. Respecto a los micronutrientes aumentó significativamente la ingesta de vitamina B2, ácido fólico y calcio (p < 0,001) en ANP y de magnesio y calcio (p < 0,001) en ANR. Se produjo una mejoría significativa en el estado nutricional en ANR (p < 0,001) en las variables peso, IMC y circunferencia muscular del brazo y el pliegue tricipital estuvo en el límite de la significación. Para ANP y TANE su valoración inicial demostraba que se encontraban dentro de rangos de normalidad, situación que se mantuvo tras la educación nutricional. En BN se produjo una evolución hacia la normalización del IMC, que pasó de 26,4 ± 6,6 a 25,5 ± 5,7 (-2,3 kg). Conclusión: Los programas de educación nutricional llevados a cabo por profesionales cualificados y expertos, deben formar parte del tratamiento de los TCA, junto al seguimiento médico y psicológico y dentro del marco de la interdisciplina y el trabajo en equipo (AU)

Introduction: As eating disorders include both psychological and physiological components, appropriate management of these disorders requires input from a number of disciplines working together in a coordinated manner, following an integrated Programme. The Eating Disorders-Nutrition Education Programme has as its purpose achieving healthier habits and modifying eating behaviour. The Programme should take place as one part of Eating Disorders treatment. Objectives: To determine the efficacy of a Nutrition Education Programme about nutritional state and eating patterns in a group of patients diagnosed with Eating Disorders who follow the usual check-up protocol in the clinic for nutrition and mental health. Material and methods: 89 patients were included, including 5% men. They received individual nutritional education with weekly/fortnightly appointments during a period of 4-6 months. Educational counseling was carried out by a dietician. The mean age of the sample was 24 ± 8 years and the diagnoses were: Anorexia Nervosa Restrictive (ANR) 32.5% Anorexia Nervosa Purgative (ANP) 26.5%, Bulimia Nervosa (BN) 18%, Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS) 21% and Binge Eating Disorder (BED) 2%. The average evolution time since the diagnosis was 4.8 ± 5 years. An anthropometric assessment, assessment of daily oral intake, 24-hour dietary recall, and Eating Attitudes Test (EAT26) questionnaires were completed at the first appointment and again at the end of the programme. Results: The mean score of the EAT26 questionnaire was 32 ± 15 initially, and after 4-6 months the score was 23.7 ± 14 (p < 0.001). This change represents a significant improvement in the patients' symptoms after the Programme. Furthermore there were significant differences in the evaluation of the questionnaire by scales and by diagnosis. After 4-6 months, there was a meaningful reduction in episodes of vomiting per week (from 7.5 ± 10 to 1 ± 1.8 p < 0.001) in ANP and BN binge-purging (8 ± 9.7 vs 2.2 ± 3.2 p < 0,01). In addition, a favourable trend in the number of binges per week was observed for both diagnoses. The percentage of subjects that ate less than 4 meals per day decreased from 70% to 19% after the Education Programme (p < 0.001). Some 67% of the patients dedicated a specific time for eating and a 54% started to have complete meals. These results that show a very favourable tendency with respect to the normalization of eating patterns. There was improvement in the intake of dairy products, vegetables, fruits, cereals and oil (p < 0.05). At the beginning, 34% consumed at least 3 of the 6 food groups within the recommended range, but at the end 70% did (p < 0.001). After the nutritional education programme, an important increase in energy ingestion and carbonhydrate consumption took place (p < 0.001), as much with ANR as with ANP. With respect to micronutrients, the ingestion of vitamin B2 significantly increased, as well as folic acid and calcium (p < 0.001) in ANP, and magnesium and calcium (p < 0.001) in ANR. In ANR, we found a significant improvement in nutritional status (p < 0.001). Variables including weight, BMI, muscular circumference of the arm and tricipetal fold were at the limit of significance. Regarding ANP and EDNOS, the initial evaluation demonstrated that they were within normal limits, and they were maintained after nutritional education. In BN, progress towards normalization of BMI took place, increasing from 26.4 ± 6.6 to 25.5 ± 5.7 (-2.3 kg). Conclusions: The Nutritional Education Programme carried out by qualified professionals should be a part of Eating Disorders treatment, along with medical and psychological monitoring and as part of an interdisciplinary, multiprofessional team effort (AU)

Evaluación del riesgo nutricional e instauración de soporte nutricional en pacientes oncológicos, según el protocolo del grupo español de Nutrición y Cáncer / Nutricional risk evaluation and establishment of nutricional support in oncology patients according to the protocol of the spanish nutrition and cancer group

Introducción: El cáncer, los tratamientos que lo acompañan y los síntomas consecuentes que a su vez generan, aumentan en los pacientes el riesgo de sufrir malnutrición. La cual produce un gran deterioro del estado de salud, con el consecuente aumento de complicaciones, disminución de la tolerancia al tratamiento oncológico y una disminución de la calidad de vida del paciente. Por este motivo, un grupo de profesionales sanitarios de diferentes puntos de España se reunieron con el objetivo de mejorar la intervención nutricional en pacientes oncológicos, con el apoyo de la Sociedad Española de Nutrición Básica y Aplicada (SENBA). Metodología: Este grupo multidisciplinar de profesionales elaboró un documento de consenso basado en la literatura y en la experiencia personal, creando un protocolo de evaluación y de intervención nutricional en forma de algoritmos. Se clasifican los pacientes en tres pasos: 1. según el tipo de tratamiento oncológico que reciben, ya sea de tipo curativo o paliativo; 2. riesgo nutricional de la terapia antineoplásica (bajo, mediano, o alto riesgo), y 3. de acuerdo a la Valoración Global Subjetiva-Generada por el paciente (VGS-gp), que clasifica a los pacientes en: A. pacientes con adecuado estado nutricional, B. pacientes con malnutrición o a riesgo de malnutrición y C. pacientes con malnutrición severa. Durante un año el protocolo se puso en marcha en 226 pacientes mayores de 18 años de ambos sexos, escogidos al azar en las consultas externas de Radioterapia Oncológica y Oncología Médica. Resultados: Más de la mitad sufren malnutrición (64%), y este valor se incrementa llegando hasta un 81% en pacientes con tratamiento paliativo. La mayoría de los pacientes tienen tratamiento de intención curativa (83%) y reciben tratamiento oncológico de intensidad moderada o de alto riesgo nutricional (69%). Un 68% de los pacientes tienen algún tipo de dificultad en la alimentación. La media en el porcentaje de pérdida de peso es del 6,64% ± 0,87 (min 0, máx 33%). El 32% de la población presenta cifras de albúmina entre 3 y 3,5 g/dl, existiendo una correlación negativa entre ésta y las dificultades con la alimentación p = 0,001. El IMC no mostró ser un parámetro significativo para detectar malnutrición (sólo un 10% se encontraba por debajo de 19,9 kg/m2), pero tiene una tendencia lineal significativa con las dificultades en la alimentación, de forma tal que a medida que disminuye el IMC aumentan las dificultades p = 0,001. Más de la mitad de la población, requirió recomendaciones dietéticas específicas para el control de los síntomas que dificultaban la ingesta y una tercera parte de la población necesitó la indicación de suplementos nutricionales. Tras la intervención nutricional más de la mitad (60%) mantuvo su peso y una sexta parte lo aumentó. Conclusión: La aplicación de este protocolo es útil, sencillo y podría facilitar la detección de malnutrición en los pacientes oncológicos. Seleccionando a los pacientes que realmente se podrían beneficiar de una intervención nutricional específica, pero debería aplicarse al inicio coincidiendo si fuera posible con el diagnóstico de la enfermedad. El soporte nutricional resulta eficaz en la mayoría de los pacientes (AU)

Introduction: Cancer and its oncological treatment cause symptoms which increase the patients risk to suffer from malnutrition. This affects the patients health status negatively by increasing the number of complications, reducing the tolerance to the oncology treatment and a decrease of the patients quality of life. Motivated by this, a group of health professionals from several spanish regions met with the backing of the Sociedad Española de Nutrición Básica y Aplicada (SENBA) to address strategies to improve the quality of nutritional intervention in cancer patients. Methods: This multidisciplinary group developed a protocol describing nutritional assessment and intervention in form of algorithms based on literature and personal experience. The patients are classified in a three step process: 1. type of their oncology treatment (curative or palliative); 2. nutritional risk of the antineoplastic therapy (low, medium or high risk) and 3. depending on the Subjective Global Assessment patient-generated (SGApg). The patients are classified as: A. patients with adequate nutritional state, B. patients with malnutrition or risk of malnutrition and C. patients suffering from severe malnutrition. During one year, the protocol has been used for 226 randomly chosen female and male patients older than 18 years. They were treated by the Medical and Radiotherapy Oncology outpatient clinic. Results: More than a half of the patients were suffering from malnutrition (64%) increasing up to 81% for patients undergoing palliative treatment. Most of them were treated curatively (83%) and received oncology treatment with moderate or high nutritional risk (69%). 68% of patients were affected by some feeding difficulty. The mean percentage of weight loss has been 6.64% ± 0.87 (min 0%, max 33%). Albumin values of 32% of the patients were between 3 and 3.5 g/dl and negatively correlated with feeding difficulties (p = 0.001). The body mass index (BMI) has not found to be a significant parameter for detecting malnutrition (only in 10% of the patients, the value was below 19.9 kg/m2). But a significant linear tendency when compared to feeding problems could be shown, such that in patients with less feeding problems a higher BMI has been found (p = 0.001). More than a half of the patients required nutritional counselling to control symptoms which made food intake difficult. One third of the patients needed oral nutritional supplementation. Following the nutritional intervention the weight of about 60% of the patients could be maintained and of one sixth it could be increased. Conclusion: The application of this protocol is useful, easy and could help detecting malnutrition in oncology patients. It provides the possibility to select those patients who can benefit from a specific nutritional intervention. If possible, the application of the protocol should be started immediatly after cancer is diagnosed. Nutritional support proves efficient for most of the patients (AU)

Autopercepción de los pacientes con cáncer sobre la relación existente entre su estado nutricional, su alimentación y la enfermedad que padecen / Self-perception of cancer patients on the relationship existing between their nutritional status, their feeding status, and their illness

Introducción: Conocer la opinión de los pacientes oncológicos sobre la importancia que dan a su alimentación, a las dificultades para alimentarse, su imagen, su peso, los cambios ponderales, la relación entre su alimentación y su enfermedad, la relación entre la actividad física y el estado de ánimo y su salud, es básico para buscar alternativas terapéuticas nutricionales que nos lleven a mejorar su calidad de vida y en general su sensación de bienestar. Para ello, es imprescindible conocer la opinión de los pacientes respecto a estos temas. Material y métodos: Se elaboró una encuesta a 131 pacientes. Los pacientes fueron reclutados en el Hospital de día de Oncología Médica, consulta de Oncología Radioterápica y el Servicio de Hospitalización de Oncología Médica. En la encuesta se preguntó de manera sencilla sobre la importancia que dan los pacientes a todos estos aspectos. Ha sido una encuesta de 20 preguntas, dividida en 6 partes: 1) Datos de filiación. 2) Percepción de la enfermedad y la relación de ésta con la alimentación. 3) Percepción de la relación de la actividad física y del estado de ánimo con la alimentación. 4) Tratamientos nutricionales indicados al paciente y la percepción de su efecto sobre la evolución de la enfermedad. 5) Dificultades actuales de alimentación. 6) Demanda de atención nutricional. Resultados: Los pacientes presentaban una edad media de 57 ± 13 años. El 45% correspondían a hombres y el resto mujeres. El 81% vive en el área urbana, y solo el 14% en el área rural. El nivel educativo se clasificó en 5 grupos: sin estudios, estudios básicos, EGB, bachiller superior o estudios universitarios. El 28% poseía estudios básicos, el 19% estudios universitarios, y un 8% no tenía ningún estudio. Con respecto a su ocupación también se clasificó en cinco grupos: hogar, estudiante, sin empleo, empleado y jubilado. Un 33% eran empleados, 29% jubilados y un 34% se ocupaba del hogar. La mayoría de los pacientes , un 74% son conscientes de su enfermedad y la perciben como grave o muy grave. La mayoría de estos pacientes están pendientes de su imagen, de su peso y de los cambios ponderales y los relacionan con su alimentación. El 74% de los pacientes encuentran relación entre su estado nutricional y la actividad física que desarrollan y un 73% lo relacionan con su estado de ánimo. Al menos la mitad de los pacientes perciben su estado de ánimo como decaído. Aunque el 47% manifiesta tener alguna dificultad para alimentarse, sólo el 34% ha recibido alguna información sobre su alimentación, el 26% ha consumido suplementos nutricionales y el 81% continúa consumiendo una dieta sin modificaciones. Las dificultades de alimentación más comunes fueron disminución del apetito 38%, saciedad precoz 32% y náuseas 20%. La intervención nutricional más solicitada por los pacientes es la educación nutricional general y específica para paliar los síntomas asociados a los tratamientos oncológicos. Conclusiones: La mayoría de los pacientes son consientes de la gravedad de su enfermedad y están pendientes de su imagen, peso y cambios ponderales, que asocian con su alimentación. La mayoría de los pacientes encontraron una estrecha asociación entre su estado nutricional, la actividad física que desarrollan y su estado de ánimo. Más de la mitad manifestó tener alguna dificultad para alimentarse pero sólo a un tercio de la población se le había hablado de su alimentación en alguna ocasión. Es evidente que el paciente oncológico necesita de diferentes medidas de intervención nutricional efectivas que contribuyan a mejorar su sensación de bienestar (AU)

Introduction: Knowing the opinion of oncologic patients about the importance they give to their feeding, the difficulties they have with feeding, their body image, weight, and ponderal changes, the relationship between their feeding and their illness, the relationship between their physical activity and their mood and health is essential to look for nutritional therapeutic interventions leading to improvement of quality of life and, in general, the feeling of well being. Thus, it is paramount to know the patients' opinion of these issues. Material and methods: We passed a questionnaire to 131 patients. The patients were recruited from the Day-Hospital of the Medical Oncology and Radiotherapeutic Oncology Departments, and from the Hospitalization Department of Medical Oncology. In the questionnaire, we asked in a simple manner about the importance the patients give to all these issues. This is a 20-item questionnaire, divided into six parts: 1. Vital statistics; 2) perception about the disease and its relationship with feeding; 3) Perception of the relationship between physical activity and mood with feeding; 4) Nutritional therapies prescribed to the patients and their perception on its effect on the disease progression; 5) Current difficulties with feeding; 6) Demand of nutritional care. Results: The patients mean age was 57 ± 13 years. 45% were males, and the remaining females. 81% life in an urban area, and only 14% in a rural area. The educational level was categorized in 5 groups: without education, basic education, elementary school, high school, or college studies. 28% had basic education, and 19% college studies, and only 8% had no education at all. Their occupation was also categorized in five groups: home-keeping, student, unemployed, employed, and retired. 33% were employed, 29% retired, and 34% were home-keepers. Most of the patients (74%) are aware of their illness and perceive it as severe or very much severe. Most of these patients worry about their body image, weight, and ponderal changes, and they relate them with their feeding status. 74% find a relationship between their nutritional status and their physical activity, and 73% relate it with their mood. At least half of the patients perceive their mood as being low. Although 47% manifested having some difficulty for feeding, only 34% had received some information about their diet, 26% had consumed nutritional supplements, and 81% still consumed their diet without any change. The most common difficulties for feeding were decreased appetite (38%), early satiety (32%), and nausea (20%). The nutritional intervention most commonly required by the patients was general and specific nutritional education to alleviate the symptoms associated to oncologic therapies. Conclusions: Most of the patients are aware of the severity of their illness and care about their body image, weight, and ponderal changes, which they associate with their nutrition. Most of the patients find a close relationship between their nutritional status, their physical activity and their mood. More than half of the patients manifest having some difficulty feeding, but only one third of the population has received information about their diet some time. It is clearly shown that oncologic patients need different effective nutritional intervention measures contributing to improve their feeling of well being (AU)

[Nutritional risk evaluation and establishment of nutritional support in oncology patients according to the protocol of the Spanish Nutrition and Cancer Group]. / Evaluación del riesgo nutricional e instauración de soporte nutricional en pacientes oncológicos, según el protocolo del grupo Español de Nutrición y Cáncer.

INTRODUCTION: Cancer and its oncological treatment cause symptoms which increase the patients risk to suffer from malnutrition. This affects the patients health status negatively by increasing the number of complications, reducing the tolerance to the oncology treatment and a decrease of the patients quality of life. Motivated by this, a group of health professionals from several spanish regions met with the backing of the Sociedad Española de Nutrición Básica y Aplicada (SENBA) to address strategies to improve the quality of nutritional intervention in cancer patients. METHODS: This multidisciplinary group developed a protocol describing nutritional assessment and intervention in form of algorithms based on literature and personal experience. The patients are classified in a three step process: 1. type of their oncology treatment (curative or palliative); 2. nutritional risk of the antineoplastic therapy (low, medium or high risk) and 3. depending on the Subjective Global Assessment patient-generated (SGA-pg). The patients are classified as: A. patients with adequate nutritional state, B. patients with malnutrition or risk of malnutrition and C. patients suffering from severe malnutrition. During one year, the protocol has been used for 226 randomly chosen female and male patients older than 18 years. They were treated by the Medical and Radiotherapy Oncology outpatient clinic. RESULTS: More than a half of the patients were suffering from malnutrition (64%) increasing up to 81% for patients undergoing palliative treatment. Most of them were treated curatively (83%) and received oncology treatment with moderate or high nutritional risk (69%). 68% of patients were affected by some feeding difficulty. The mean percentage of weight loss has been 6.64% +/- 0.87 (min 0%, max 33%). Albumin values of 32% of the patients were between 3 and 3.5 g/dl and negatively correlated with feeding difficulties (p = 0.001). The body mass index (BMI) has not found to be a significant parameter for detecting malnutrition (only in 10% of the patients, the value was below 19.9 kg/m2). But a significant linear tendency when compared to feeding problems could be shown, such that in patients with less feeding problems a higher BMI has been found (p = 0.001). More than a half of the patients required nutritional counselling to control symptoms which made food intake difficult. One third of the patients needed oral nutritional supplementation. Following the nutritional intervention the weight of about 60% of the patients could be maintained and of one sixth it could be increased. CONCLUSION: The application of this protocol is useful, easy and could help detecting malnutrition in oncology patients. It provides the possibility to select those patients who can benefit from a specific nutritional intervention. If possible, the application of the protocol should be started immediatly after cancer is diagnosed. Nutritional support proves efficient for most of the patients.

[Self-perception of cancer patients on the relationship existing between their nutritional status, their feeding status, and their illness]. / Autopercepción de los pacientes con cáncer sobre la relación existente entre su estado nutricional, su alimentación y la enfermedad que padecen.

INTRODUCTION: Knowing the opinion of oncologic patients about the importance they give to their feeding, the difficulties they have with feeding, their body image, weight, and ponderal changes, the relationship between their feeding and their illness, the relationship between their physical activity and their mood and health is essential to look for nutritional therapeutic interventions leading to improvement of quality of life and, in general, the feeling of well being. Thus, it is paramount to know the patients' opinion of these issues. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We passed a questionnaire to 131 patients. The patients were recruited from the Day-Hospital of the Medical Oncology and Radiotherapeutic Oncology Departments, and from the Hospitalization Department of Medical Oncology. In the questionnaire, we asked in a simple manner about the importance the patients give to all these issues. This is a 20-item questionnaire, divided into six parts: 1. Vital statistics; 2) perception about the disease and its relationship with feeding; 3) Perception of the relationship between physical activity and mood with feeding; 4) Nutritional therapies prescribed to the patients and their perception on its effect on the disease progression; 5) Current difficulties with feeding; 6) Demand of nutritional care. RESULTS: The patients mean age was 57 +/- 13 years. 45% were males, and the remaining females. 81% life in an urban area, and only 14% in a rural area. The educational level was categorized in 5 groups: without education, basic education, elementary school, high school, or college studies. 28% had basic education, and 19% college studies, and only 8% had no education at all. Their occupation was also categorized in five groups: home-keeping, student, unemployed, employed, and retired. 33% were employed, 29% retired, and 34% were home-keepers. Most of the patients (74%) are aware of their illness and perceive it as severe or very much severe. Most of these patients worry about their body image, weight, and ponderal changes, and they relate them with their feeding status. 74% find a relationship between their nutritional status and their physical activity, and 73% relate it with their mood. At least half of the patients perceive their mood as being low. Although 47% manifested having some difficulty for feeding, only 34% had received some information about their diet, 26% had consumed nutritional supplements, and 81% still consumed their diet without any change. The most common difficulties for feeding were decreased appetite (38%), early satiety (32%), and nausea (20%). The nutritional intervention most commonly required by the patients was general and specific nutritional education to alleviate the symptoms associated to oncologic therapies. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the patients are aware of the severity of their illness and care about their body image, weight, and ponderal changes, which they associate with their nutrition. Most of the patients find a close relationship between their nutritional status, their physical activity and their mood. More than half of the patients manifest having some difficulty feeding, but only one third of the population has received information about their diet some time. It is clearly shown that oncologic patients need different effective nutritional intervention measures contributing to improve their feeling of well being.

Evaluación de la utilidad de un Programa de Educación Nutricional en Trastornos de la Conducta Alimentaria / No disponible

Introducción: La Educación Nutricional busca la modificación de la conducta alimentaria hacia patrones más saludables y debe formar parte del tratamiento de los TCA. Objetivo: Determinar el efecto de un programa de EN sobre el estado nutricional y el patrón alimentario de un grupo de pacientes con TCA que siguen con el protocolo habitual de seguimiento en consulta de Nutrición y de Salud Mental. Material y métodos: Se incluyeron 22 parientes (sólo un hombre), que recibieron Educación Nutricional individual con visitas semanales/quincenales por 6 meses, llevadas a cabo por una Dietista. La edad media 24±-725 años. La distribución por diagnóstico fue: Anorexia Nerviosa (AN) 54,5%t Bulimia Nerviosa (BN) 2713%, Trastorno Alimentario No Específico (TANE) 13,6% y Trastorno por Atracón (TA) 4,5%. La media del tiempo de evolución desde el diagnóstico fue de 6±5 años. Los pacientes completaban el cuestionario EAT26 (Eating Altitudes Test-26) en la primera consulta y tras recibir el programa de educación nutricional. Resultados: Tras los 6 meses del programa, disminuyó significativamente el número de vómitos (de 6,51-10 v. s. 1325 1-5,8 /semana p=07002) y atracones en AN purgativa y BOU (315±6 0, 75±2 /semana p= 0.001). Aumentó significativamente el consumo de lácteos 69=0,00), verduras (p=0,021), cereales (p-0,008) y aceite (p=0,063). Inicialmente un 123% consumía por lo menos 3 de los 6 grupos de alimentos dentro del rango recomendado, al final lo hizo el 77% (p=0,002). Al inicio un 70% de las pacientes realizaba menos de 4 comidas, tras la educación este porcentaje se redujo al 30% 69=0,000). Inicialmente un 54% consumió un número incompleto de platos, cifra que se redujo49133% (p= 01001). Aumentaron las !Coal. consumidas (1088 ±-630 v. s. 13231-417, p=0,013) y el porcentaje cubierto por hidratos de carbono (4815 vs. 54%, p=0,023), también aumentó significativamente el consumo de: P2 Jg, Cal K, 1, 01 822 Pirídoxina, vit E y Ácido ;cólico (p<01005). El incremento ponderalmedio fue en ANR: 4,3 kg (41! 7±517 v.s. 46±4, 8), en ANF: BN y TA-NE los valores se mantuvieron estables, tampoco hubo cambios significativos en elpliegue PIcipital y circunferencia muscular del brazo. El valor medio del cuestionario EAT26 fue inicialmente 20±12,9 (Máximo 56, Mínimo 3), tras los 6 meses fue de 271-13,5 (Máximo 50, Mínimo 9), diferencias altamente significativas (p=0,001), lo que evidencia cambios en la sintomatología de los pacientes muy positivos tras la implementación del programa. También hubo diferencias significativas en el análisis del cuestionario por escalas. Conclusiones: Los programas de educación nutricional llevados a cabo por profesionales cualificados y expertos, deben formar parte del tratamiento de los TCA, junto al seguimiento médico y psicológico y dentro del marco de la interdisciplina y el trabajo en equipo (AU)

Introduction: The Eating Disorders-Nutritional Education Program has the purpose to achieve healthier habits, modifying the eating behaviour; and, it should take part of Eating Disorders treatment. Objectives: to determinate the efficacy of a Nutritional Education Program in nutritional status and the eating pattern in a group of patients diagnosed of Eating Disorders. Material and methods: it was included 22 patients (1 man), that received individual Nutritional Education with weekly/fortnightly appointments along 6 months, carried out by a dietician. The mean age of the sample was 24±7.5 years old and their diagnosis were: Anorexia Nervosa (AN) 54.5%, Bulimia Nervosa (B(V) 27.3%, Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS) 13.6% and Binge Eating Disorder (BED) 4.5%. The mean evolution time from the diagnosis was 6±5 years. The patients filled up the EAT26 questionnaire (Eating Attitudes Test-26) either in the first appointment and at the end of the Nutritional Education Program. Results: After 6 months there was significantly reduction in the vomiting episodes (from 6.5±10 vs. 1.25 ±5.8 /week, p=0.002) and bin-ge episodes in binge-purging AN and BN (from 3.5±6 v.s. 0.75±2, p= 0.001). There was a significant improvement in: intake of dairy food (p=0.00), vegetables (p=0.021), cereals (p=0.008) and oil (p=0.063). At the be-ginning, 23% consumed at least 3 of the 6 groups within the recommended range, but at the end was 77% (p=0.002) did it. The percentage of subjects that ate fess than 4 meals per day reduced from 70% to 30% after the Education Program (p=0.000). Moreover, before this Program, 54% consumed incomplete number of meal (a three course meal was considered nor-mal), but at the end, this number was reduced to 33% (p= 0.001). The total energy intake and the carbohydrate percentage increased from 1088 ±630 v. s. 1323±417 ( 13=0.013) and from 48.5 to 54% (p.0.023) respectively. Furthermore, the intake of following micronutrients improved significantly: P, Mg, Ca, K, Vii 82, Piridoxina, vit E and Folic Acid (p<0,005). The mean of increased weight was 4.3 kg (41.7±5.7 vs. 46±4.8) in AN pure restricting subtype, while in the AN binge-purging subtype, BN and EDNOS did not change. Neither skin-fold thickness nor mid-arm circumference were significantly different from the beginning. The mean score of EAT26 questionnaire was 20±12.9 (Maximum 56, Minimum 3), when this study started, and after 6 months the score was 27±13.5 (Maximum 50, Minimum 9). Because of this important difference (p=0.001), is possible to believe in a significant improvement of symptoms of this patients after the Program. There were also significantly differences in the evaluation of the questionnaire by scales. Conclusions: The Nutritional Education Pro-gram carried on by qualified and expert professionals must take part of Eating Disorders treatment, along with medical and psychological monitoring and within the interdisciplinary basis of working in a multiprofessional team (AU)

El estado nutricional de niñas chinas adoptadas en España / Nutritional status in chinese adopted girls in Spain

Introducción: Frente al creciente número de adopciones chinas en algunos países como España, se planteó un estudio para conocer y evaluar el perfil nutricional a la llegada y su probable implicación en el estado general de salud, crecimiento y desarrollo de niñas chinas adoptadas. Pacientes y métodos: Se estudiaron 85 niñas chinas adoptadas en España en el periodo de 2002 a 2003, con edades comprendidas entre 7 y 33 meses de vida, remitidas a la Unidad de Pediatría Social del Hospital Niño Jesús, Madrid. Se recogieron datos referentes a la institución de procedencia, parámetros nutricionales (antropométricos y bioquímicos), presencia de enfermedades asociadas y retrasos de desarrollo (psicomotor/ edad-ósea). Resultados: El índice nutricional de Waterlow reflejó un 11% de malnutrición basándose en las tablas de referencia china, frente a un 58% obtenido por las tablas españolas, del cual el 82% era malnutrición aguda. Comparando la eficacia de dos métodos de valoración nutricional, propuestos por Waterlow y Gómez, no hubo diferencias en la detección de malnutrición, a pesar de que este último autor prioriza el índice peso/edad como indicador nutricional en edades por debajo de los 2 años. El 18% de las niñas fueron consideradas en grupo de riesgo (talla/edad < p10) para padecer desnutrición crónica, pero esto sólo se confirmó en el 67% del grupo, según criterios de Waterlow. Entre los parámetros plasmáticos valorados, destaca la disminución de la prealbúmina, linfocitos, hierro y transferrina. Los hallazgos patológicos predominantes fueron la talasemia, dermatitis, retraso psicomotor y anemia ferropénica. Conclusiones: Estos resultados nos llevan a creer en una posible mejoría en las condiciones ofrecidas en los orfanatos chinos. La baja edad en el momento de la adopción, podría justificar la pequeña incidencia de deficiencias nutricionales de carácter crónico. En general, las alteraciones antropométricas/nutricionales encontradas pueden relacionarse con las consecuencias del abandono y la vulnerabilidad del proceso de adopción. De cualquier manera, el diagnóstico precoz y la instauración de un tratamiento adecuado lo antes posible, como se viene haciendo, es fundamental para proporcionar un adecuado crecimiento y desarrollo de estas niñas

Introduction: Given the increasing number of adoptions from China in countries such as Spain, a study was designed to know and assess the nutritional profile at arrival and its likely implication in global health status, growth, and development of adopted Chinese girls. Patients and methods: Eighty-five Chinese girls adopted in Spain during the 2002-2003 period and ages ranging 7-33 months of life were studied at the Social Pediatrics Unit of the “Niño Jesús” Hospital, Madrid. Datas regarding institution of origin, nutritional parameters (anthropometrical and biochemical), presence of associated diseases, and developmental retardations (psychomotor/ bone age) were gathered. Results: Waterlow’s nutritional index showed a malnourishment rate of 11% based on Chinese reference tables, as compared to 58% based on Spanish tables, of which 82% was acute malnourishment. When comparing the efficacy of both nutritional assessment methods proposed by Waterlow and Gomez, there were no differences in detection of malnourishment in spite of the fact that the latter author gives priority to the weight/age index as a nutritional indicator at ages lower than 2 years. Eighteen percent of the girls were considered at (height/age < p10) of suffering chronic malnourishment, but this was only confirmed in 67% of the group according to Waterlow’s criteria. Among assessed plasma parameters, decreased prealbumin, lymphocytes, iron, and transferrin stand out. The predominant pathological findings were thalassemia, dermatitis, psychomotor retardation, and ferropenic anemia. Conclusions: These results make us believe in a possible in the conditions at Chinese orphanages. The low age at the time of adoption may justify the low incidence of chronic nutritional deficiencies. As a whole, anthropometrical / nutritional impairments found may be related with the consequences of carelessness and vulnerability of the adoption process. In any case, early diagnosis and implementation of appropriate therapy as soon as possible, as it is being done, is essential to provide appropriate growth and development of these girls

[Nutritional status of adopted Chinese girls in Spain]. / El estado nutricional de niñas chinas adoptadas en España.

INTRODUCTION: Given the increasing number of adoptions from China in countries such as Spain, a study was designed to know and assess the nutritional profile at arrival and its likely implication in global health status, growth, and development of adopted Chinese girls. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eighty-five Chinese girls adopted in Spain during the 2002-2003 period and ages ranging 7-33 months of life were studied at the Social Pediatrics Unit of the "Niño Jesús" Hospital, Madrid. Datas regarding institution of origin, nutritional parameters (anthropometrical and biochemical), presence of associated diseases, and developmental retardations (psychomotor/bone age) were gathered. RESULTS: Waterlow's nutritional index showed a malnourishment rate of 11% based on Chinese reference tables, as compared to 58% based on Spanish tables, of which 82% was acute malnourishment. When comparing the efficacy of both nutritional assessment methods proposed by Waterlow and Gomez, there were no differences in detection of malnourishment in spite of the fact that the latter author gives priority to the weight/age index as a nutritional indicator at ages lower than 2 years. Eighteen percent of the girls were considered at (height/age < p10) of suffering chronic malnourishment, but this was only confirmed in 67% of the group according to Waterlow's criteria. Among assessed plasma parameters, decreased prealbumin, lymphocytes, iron, and transferrin stand out. The predominant pathological findings were thalassemia, dermatitis, psychomotor retardation, and ferropenic anemia. CONCLUSIONS: These results make us believe in a possible improvement in the conditions at Chinese orphanages. The low age at the time of adoption may justify the low incidence of chronic nutritional deficiencies. As a whole, anthropometrical / nutritional impairments found may be related with the consequences of carelessness and vulnerability of the adoption process. In any case, early diagnosis and implementation of appropriate therapy as soon as possible, as it is being done, is essential to provide appropriate growth and development of these girls.

Análisis de las encuestas de hábitos alimentarios realizadas en población escolar durante la 4ª edición del Día Nacional de la Nutrición (DNN) 2005 / No disponible

El día nacional de la nutrición (DNN) sigue siendo un marco importante y de mucho interés a nivel nacional. En el pasado año 2005, el 28de mayo estuvo dedicado a la alimentación infantil, bajo el lema “Ejercicio y buena alimentación para un futuro mejor”, donde se quiso profundizaren algunos aspectos de la alimentación de los niños españoles en edad escolar y transmitir el mensaje sobre la importancia de una buena nutrición en esta etapa de la vida, puesto que incide de forma decisiva en la salud del adulto. Para la evaluación del consumo alimentario habitual de los niños escolares en España, incluyendo el consumo de refrescos, golosinas, bollos y aperitivos, se han analizado los Datos de 2078 cuestionarios, auto-administrados, respondidos por los padres de los niños participantes de las charlas educativas sobre la alimentación infantil y la práctica de actividad física en esa edición del DNN. El cuestionario consistió en 14 preguntas cerradas de opción múltiple y una frecuencia de consumo habitual de alimentos. Los resultados observados corroboraron la importancia del desayuno como condicionante de un mejor patrón alimentario. Las frutas, verduras y legumbres, son las grandes olvidadas, paralelo a un consumo excesivo de fiambres. Sin embargo, el consumo de alimentos energéticos(arroz, pasta, patata, pan), de lácteos, huevos, carnes y pescado ha mostrado frecuencia y variabilidad aceptable en la mayoría de los niños. El hecho de disponer de dinero, así como la realización de la comida en el hogar implica un mayor consumo de chucherías, bollería, etc, y refuerza la importancia del rol de los padres en la adecuada oferta de alimentos. El elevado consumo de estos alimentos y, especialmente, de refrescos sigue siendo preocupante, porque parece estar repercutiendo negativamente en la elección de alimentos sanos. El consumo diario de alimentos de bajo valor nutricional pero de alto contenido calórico, añadido a la ingesta de alimentos y bebidas entre horas, pueden representar un riesgo para el desarrollo de sobrepeso, sobre todo si no existe una educación adecuada. Resulta importante aclarar conceptos de equivalencia nutricional de los alimentos, fundamentalmente en cuanto a vitaminas, minerales y fibra, así como la pérdida de nutrientes por la manipulación y procesos culinarios, puesto que se observó una marcada equivocación al elegir zumos de frutas en lugar de frutas frescas, verduras y patatas. Por todo ello, concluimos que si bien no debe excluirse ningún alimento, debemos seguir educando para una mejor selección de los mismos (AU)

The Nutrition National Day (DNN) has been representing an important educational event in Spain, being useful to population. In May 28th,2005, the DNN was dedicated to infant feeding with the slogan "Exercise and good food for a better future", in order to know some aspects of the feeding of children in scholar age and transmit the message about the importance of a good nutrition in this age, given that it affects, in a decisive manner, the adult health. To evaluate habitual nourishing consumption by Spanish children in scholar age, including beverages, sweets, buns and appetizers, 2078questionnaires were analyzed. These questionnaires were formed by 14 multiple-choice questions and a food frequency questionnaire; that were fulfilled by the parents of the children whose have participated in an educative conference about nutrition offered in selected schools in Spain. The results showed the importance of eating daily breakfast on better nourishing habits. The fruits, vegetables and grains, are less consumed, while cold cuts were much consumed. However, the energetic foods (like rice, mass, potatoes, bread), of dairy products, eggs, meats and fishes, demonstrated an acceptable frequency and variety of consumption in the majority of the children. When the children had money to spend by themselves and when they had a lunch at home, they used to eat more sweets, buns and appetizers, etc., emphasizing the importance of parents in the suitable education on the correct elections of foods. The high consumption of these foods, especially beverages, continues being worrisome, since it seems to be influencing negatively in the election of healthy foods. The daily consumption of food with low nutritional value, but with a high caloric content, together with an ingestion of foods and drinks out of meals time, may represent a risk of overweight, mainly if does not exist a suitable education. It would be interesting to elucidate some concepts of nutritional equivalency, specially based on vitamins, minerals, fibre, as well as loss of nutrients by manipulation and cooking process, because great mistakes was observed when a fruit juice was preferred to a fresh fruit, vegetables and potatoes. In conclusion, knowing that healthy people do not need to exclude any food of diet, it must benecessary to continue educating the population to get a better selection of foods (AU)

IV Edición del Día Nacional de la Nutrición (DNN) bajo el lema “Ejercicio y buena alimentación para un futuro mejor” / No disponible

En las primeras etapas de la vida, la nutrición tiene una marcada influencia tanto en el desarrollo de las potencialidades del hombre así como en la prevención de enfermedades. Para que la adquisición de una conducta alimentaria sana tenga impacto preventivo tiene que empezar en la edad infantil, puesto que los hábitos adquiridos y practicados a lo largo delos años son muy difíciles de erradicar. Sobre la base de que la correcta alimentación y la actividad física son cuestiones fundamentales para la buena salud del niño y para su adecuado desarrollo en la edad adulta se desarrolló la IV edición del DNN bajo el lema “Ejercicio y buena alimentación para un futuro mejor”. Con este eje temático, se desarrollaron un conjunto de actividades encaminadas a transmitirá los niños la importancia de seguir una correcta alimentación y fomentar el ejercicio físico como cuestiones clave en su salud. Además, se ha tratado de concienciar, a su vez, a padres y educadores sobre la importancia de estos aspectos para el correcto desarrollo del niño. Consideramos que este evento ha tenido una excelente repercusión y aceptación por el público y los medios. Esta jornada al llevarse a cabo sólo un día no pretende ser una herramienta de educación alimentaria que modifique hábitos, pero pretende concienciar a la población y a las autoridades sobre la problemática actual en nutrición y, así mismo, crear en los medios de comunicación la responsabilidad de una información precisa y adecuada en relación a la nutrición (AU)

In the first stages of life, nutrition plays an important role in the development of man abilities and prevention of diseases. The learned habits throughout the years are very difficult to change or eradicate when it is necessary, so a healthful nourishing behavior must begin in the childhood for obtaining a preventive impact in health. The idea that the correct feeding and the practice of physical activity are essential factors to children good health and their adequate development until adult ages, promoted the 4th DNN edition, which slogan was "Exercise and good food for a better future”. This slogan generated some activities to make the children conscious of the importance of having a good nutritional behavior and encourage the practice of physical exercise, as the keys to get a better health. In addition, the objective of the DNN was to alert parents and educators of rule of these aspects in children development. We considered that this event has gotten an excellent impact and acceptation by population and communications media. Given that DNN is an event of just one day, we do not purpose to door it a nutrition education tool to modify habits, but that could be used to awake the population and the authorities about the actual nutrition problems, as well as to generate a precise and adequate nutrition information’s to be transmitted effectively by the media (AU)