RESUMO
BACKGROUND: At hospital level, clinical nutritionists play a fundamental role in health recovery, contributing to shorter hospital stays and addressing hospital malnutrition. However, in Latin America no studies have been conducted on the activities of the nutritionist and the factors influencing their performance. AIMS: to describe the activities of the clinical nutritionist in public and private hospital settings in Latin America and to determine the factors associated with disciplinary practice. METHODS: A cross-sectional analytical, quantitative study was conducted. Participants consisted of hospital nutritionists from 13 Latin American countries who had participated in a previously validated online survey on the activities performed during their daily work, obtaining a Professional Activities Score (PAS). RESULTS: 1222 nutritionists participated. Of the activities associated with the professional role, the only ones who reached over 75 % of execution were: performing nutritional intervention; performing nutritional assessment and diagnosis; providing counseling and dietary prescription; developing nutritional care plans for patients with nutritional problems; and performing the monitoring and evaluation of results of priority patients. The least frequent activities were: university teaching and collaborating in research. Regarding the reasons for not performing activities: 34.0 % reported not being included in the activities, 24.5 % mentioned lack of time, and 13.6 % indicated that the activities were conducted by another professional. Variables positively associated with an increase in the PAS were: having spent more years exercising the profession (Beta: 0.028, 95 % CI: 0.004; 0.051), and having a greater number of specialties (4 or more, Beta: 2.294, 95 % CI: 1.031; 3.557). Working in lower-complexity facilities (Low: Beta: -1.037, 95 % CI: -1.443; -0.630), and having more reasons for not performing the activities (3 or more: Beta: -3.105, 95 % CI: -4.111; -2.099) were inversely associated. From the sample, 1.8 % held a doctorate in clinical nutrition, 43.9 % had a specialty, and 64.4 % had a diploma or postgraduate degree in clinical nutrition. CONCLUSION: None of the activities related to the nutritionist work was performed on a 100 % basis. In Latin America, Ministries of Health should standardize and regulate the functions of the clinical nutritionist, as well as quantifying understaffing and proposing solutions to alleviate the shortage of these professionals, acknowledging the positive impact that they have on the recovery of hospital patients.
Assuntos
Nutricionistas , Humanos , Estudos Transversais , Apoio Nutricional , Avaliação Nutricional , AconselhamentoRESUMO
Short-chain carbohydrates and sugar alcohols are poorly absorbed in the small intestine and rapidly fermented by bacteria. Fermentable oligo-, di-, monosaccharides and polyols (FODMAP) content of a wide range of foods has been measured. However, the list of foods allowed, as well as the quantities of FODMAP each food differ between studies, making the management of the low FODMAP diet difficult.The aim of this research was to propose a FODMAP diet guide culturally adapted to different Hispanic countries for dietitians-nutritionists and nutrition experts, to facilitate the management of patients who benefit from this diet.A consortium of FODMAP diet experts was created among Spanish-speaking countries. Dieticians from 11 Latin American countries (Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela) and Spain elaborated a low FODMAP diet adjusted each to the gastronomic culture of their own country. They also created a list of foods to be reintroduced in phase 2 (or reintroduction phase) of the FODMAP diet, along with typical recipes from the country.Twelve low FODMAP diets with their corresponding reintroduction phase were designed, each adapted to the commonly consumed foods and recipes of each country. The adaptation of the diet to local gastronomy is pertinent, as it may increase the likelihood of durable adherence and better response to symptomatology.There are limitations in developing tables of FODMAP-rich and FODMAP-poor foods. The cut-off levels of FODMAP content are not clearly defined. More studies are needed to reach a unified consensus, as inconsistency in the data provided between studies has been found in relation to the FODMAP diet.(AU)
Los carbohidratos de cadena corta y los alcoholes de azúcar se absorben mal en el intestino delgado y las bacterias los fermentan rápidamente. Se ha medido el contenido de oligo, di, monosacáridos y polioles fermentables (FODMAP) de una amplia gama de alimentos. Sin embargo, la lista de alimentos permitidos, así como las cantidades de FODMAP de cada alimento, difieren entre estudios, lo que dificulta el manejo de la dieta baja en FODMAP.El objetivo de esta investigación fue proponer una guía dietética FODMAP adaptada culturalmente a diferentes países hispanos para facilitar a dietistas-nutricionistas y expertos en nutrición el manejo de los pacientes que se benefician de la dieta baja en FODMAP.Se creó un consorcio de expertos en dieta FODMAP entre países de habla hispana. Dietistas de 11 países latinoamericanos (Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, México, Panamá, Perú, Uruguay y Venezuela) y España elaboraron una dieta baja en FODMAP ajustada cada una a la cultura gastronómica del país. También crearon una lista de alimentos para ser reintroducidos en la fase 2 (o fase de reintroducción) de la dieta FODMAP, junto con recetas típicas del país.Se diseñaron doce dietas bajas en FODMAP con su correspondiente fase de reintroducción, cada una adaptada a los alimentos y recetas de consumo común de cada país. La adaptación de la dieta a la gastronomía local fue pertinente, ya que puede aumentar la adherencia a la dieta y una mejor respuesta a la sintomatología.Existen limitaciones en el desarrollo de tablas de alimentos ricos y pobres en FODMAP. Los niveles de corte del contenido de FODMAP no están claramente definidos. Se necesitan más estudios para alcanzar un consenso unificado, ya que se ha encontrado inconsistencia en los datos proporcionados en estudios relacionados con la dieta FODMAP.(AU)
