Un programa informático en la web para la evaluación dietética en Costa Rica / A web-based software for dietary assessment in Costa Rica

Introducción. La medición del consumo de alimentos es un importante indicador del estado nutricional de las personas; sin embargo, el proceso no es fácil y puede tener un nivel de error inaceptable. La incorporación de nuevas tecnologías pueden facilitar el proceso y minimizar el error. Objetivo. Desarrollar un programa informático en la web para nutricionistas que permita el ingreso de datos de consumo de alimentos con un recordatorio de 24 horas o de los 7 días anteriores, el análisis de la ingesta de energía y nutrientes y su comparación con las ingestas recomendadas; con el fin de minimizar el error en la recopilación y análisis de los datos. Materiales y métodos. Primero, se determinaron las características importantes que debe tener el programa, el cual fue elaborado posteriormente con los lenguajes de programación de Python y Javascript y con un patrón de diseño modelo-vista-controlador. Simultáneamente se crearon tres bases de datos, uno con el valor nutritivo de los alimentos, otro con datos de tamaños de porción de los mismos y otro con las recomendaciones nutricionales. Una vez elaborado, el programa fue sometido a una serie de pruebas para evaluar tanto su facilidad de uso como la exactitud de los cálculos. Resultados. Se describen las 9 etapas del programa y se justifica su diseño con evidencias de la literatura científica. Conclusiones. Se desarrolló el programa en la web, 'Dietnóstico', que permite la recolección y análisis de datos de consumo de alimentos. Una vez validado, el programa estará disponible para nutricionistas a usar en la atención nutricional y la investigación(AU)

Introduction. Assessment of food consumption is an important indicator of a person's nutritional status; however, it is not a simple process and can involve an unacceptable level of error. The application of new technologies in this process can lead to improvements and the minimization of error. Objective. To develop a computer program in the web, for nutritionists that allows the input of food consumption data using a 24- hour recall or a recall of food consumption during the 7 previous days, the analysis of energy and nutrient intake and its comparison with recommended intakes with the aim of minimizing the error involved in the collection and analysis of food consumption data. Materials and methods. The first stage was to define important characteristics to include in the programme which was developed using the programming languages of Python and Javascript and using a model-view-controller design pattern. At the same time, three databases were created: one with the nutritional value of foods, another with portion sizes of the foods and a third with the nutritional recommendations. Once created, several trials were conducted on the programme to test the operations from a user point of view, and the accuracy of the calculations. Results. The 9 stages of the software are described and its design is justified with evidence from the scientific literature. Conclusions. The program 'Dietnóstico' for use in the web, allows the collection and analysis of food consumption data. Once validated, it will be available for nutritionists involved in nutrition counselling and research(AU)

Current state of dietetic services for inflammatory bowel disease patients in New Zealand: an observational study.

AIM: Nutritional therapies for inflammatory bowel disease are increasingly recommended. This study aimed to gain insight from patients, dietitians and gastroenterologists into inflammatory bowel disease dietetic care in New Zealand. METHODS: Mixed-methods surveys were developed and then distributed online to patients with inflammatory bowel disease and dietitians and gastroenterologists that care for patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Quantitative survey data were analysed using nonparametric statistical tests. Qualitative survey data were analysed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: Responses were received from 406 inflammatory bowel disease patients, 79 dietitians and 40 gastroenterologists. Half of the patients (52%) had seen a dietitian for nutrition advice. Patients more likely to have seen a dietitian were/had: Crohn's disease (p = 0.001), previous bowel surgery (p < 0.001), younger (p < 0.001) or receiving biologic therapy (p = 0.005). Two-thirds (66%) of patients found the dietitian advice at least moderately useful. A common theme from patient comments was that dietitians needed better knowledge of inflammatory bowel disease. Almost all (97%) gastroenterologists reported that their inflammatory bowel disease patients ask about nutrition; 57% reported that there were inadequate dietitians to meet patient needs. Over 50% of dietitians saw inflammatory bowel disease patients infrequently and 39% were not confident that their knowledge of the nutritional management of inflammatory bowel disease was current. Dietitians desired greater links with the inflammatory bowel disease multidisciplinary team. CONCLUSION: Current inflammatory bowel disease dietetic services in New Zealand are inadequate. Standardised care, increased resourcing, dietitian training in inflammatory bowel disease, and stronger links with the multidisciplinary team are suggested to improve services.

The status of clinical nutrition in hospitals of Guilan province, Iran - A mixed-method study.

Introduction: Background: nutritional therapy has an important role in the development of medical care services, and quantitative and qualitative assessments of the status of clinical nutrition in hospitals is crucial. This study aimed to explore the current status of clinical nutrition in hospitals of Guilan province, Iran. Methods: this quantitative-qualitative (mixed method) study was performed on public hospitals in Guilan province, Iran (n = 26). The required information was collected by visiting the hospitals and interviewing with hospital dietitians. The data collection tool had two quantitative and qualitative subscales. The quantitative subscale included a 21-item checklist containing information about the referral system, cooperation of hospital staff in clinical nutrition, clinical nutrition staff status, enteral nutrition, and parenteral nutrition. Results: in more than 55 % of hospitals the patients were not adequately referred to a dietitian. In about 31.2 % of hospitals, cooperation of other departments in the field of clinical nutrition was insufficient. In 37 % of hospitals with intensive care unit (ICU), enteral nutrition was not provided properly. Only 27 % of the hospital properly provided parenteral nutrition for their patients. The most important problems mentioned by hospital dietitians included noncompliance of the food services employers with recommended diets, insufficient number of hospital dietitians, and lack of per case payment method for dietitians. Coverage of diet services by health insurance was the most common suggestion of dietitians to promote diet therapy in public hospitals. Conclusion: the situation of providing nutritional services to patients in public hospitals is not favorable in terms of quantity and quality in Guilan province, Iran. Designing the necessary policies and reorient the clinical nutrition system in hospitals to promote patients' health and accelerate patient recovery is warranted.

Introducción: Antecedentes: la terapia nutricional tiene un papel importante en el desarrollo de los servicios de atención médica, y las evaluaciones cuantitativas y cualitativas del estado de la nutrición clínica en los hospitales son cruciales. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo explorar el estado actual de la nutrición clínica en los hospitales de la provincia de Guilan, Irán. Métodos: este estudio cuantitativo-cualitativo (método mixto) se realizó en hospitales públicos de la provincia de Guilan, Irán (n = 26). La información requerida se recopiló visitando los hospitales y entrevistando a los dietistas de los hospitales. La herramienta de recolección de datos tenía dos subescalas, cuantitativa y cualitativa. La subescala cuantitativa incluía una lista de verificación de 21 ítems que contenía información sobre el sistema de derivación, la cooperación del personal del hospital en nutrición clínica, el estado del personal de nutrición clínica, la nutrición enteral y la nutrición parenteral. Resultados: en más del 40 % de los hospitales, los pacientes no fueron derivados adecuadamente a un dietista. En el 35 % de los hospitales, la cooperación de otros departamentos en el campo de la nutrición clínica fue insuficiente. En el 55 % de los hospitales con unidad de cuidados intensivos (UCI), la nutrición enteral no se brindó adecuadamente. Ninguno de los hospitales proporcionó nutrición parenteral adecuada para los pacientes. Los problemas más importantes mencionados por los dietistas hospitalarios incluyeron el incumplimiento de los programas de alimentos por parte del empleador del sector alimentario, un número insuficiente de dietistas hospitalarios y la falta de pago de honorarios de consulta a los dietistas. La cobertura de los servicios de dietética por parte del seguro de salud fue la sugerencia más común de los dietistas para promover la dietoterapia en los hospitales. Conclusión: la situación de la prestación de servicios nutricionales a pacientes en hospitales públicos no es favorable en términos de cantidad y calidad en la provincia de Guilan, Irán. Se justifica diseñar las políticas necesarias para reorientar el sistema de nutrición clínica en los hospitales y, en definitiva, promover la salud y acelerar la recuperación de los pacientes.

Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: Revised 2021 Standards of Professional Performance for Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (Competent, Proficient, and Expert) in Management of Food and Nutrition Systems.

Management of food and nutrition systems (MFNS) encompasses the varied roles of registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) with administrative responsibilities for food and nutrition services within an organization. RDNs in MFNS are frequently employed in acute care, but also expand into a multitude of other settings in which management of nutrition and foodservice is required, for example, foodservice departments in assisted living and post-acute and long-term care; colleges and universities, kindergarten through grade 12 and pre-kindergarten schools and childcare; retail foodservice operations; correctional facilities; and companies that produce, distribute, and sell food products. RDNs in MFNS aim to create work environments that support high-quality customer-centered care and services, attract and retain talented staff, and foster an atmosphere of collaboration and innovation. The Management in Food and Nutrition Systems Dietetic Practice Group, with guidance from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Quality Management Committee, has revised the Standards of Professional Performance (SOPP) for RDNs in MFNS for 3 levels of practice: competent, proficient, and expert. The SOPP describes 6 domains that focus on professional performance: Quality in Practice, Competence and Accountability, Provision of Services, Application of Research, Communication and Application of Knowledge, and Utilization and Management of Resources. Indicators outlined in the SOPP depict how these standards apply to practice. The standards and indicators for RDNs in MFNS are written with the leader in mind-to support an individual in a leadership role or who has leadership aspirations. The SOPP is intended to be used by RDNs for self-evaluation to assure competent professional practice.

Pilares para la excelencia en las unidades de nutrición. Regulación / Pillars for excellence in nutrition support units. Regulation

La valoración y el tratamiento nutricionales, necesarios para poder realizar la prevención y tratamiento de la desnutrición relacionada con la enfermedad, se deben llevar a cabo por un equipo multidisciplinar en el que cada miembro tenga bien definidas sus competencias y funciones, y donde se establezcan mecanismos que permitan una adecuada coordinación en el entorno hospitalario y ambulatorio. En España, el desarrollo y la implantación de estos equipos o unidades dedicados a la nutrición clínica han sido muy importantes: hoy en día están presentes en la mayor parte de los hospitales. En este artículo se revisan las características de las unidades de nutrición clínica, las funciones de los miembros del equipo y la normativa que regula su funcionamiento en nuestro país

Nutritional assessment and treatment, necessary for the prevention and treatment of disease-related malnutrition, should be carried out by a multidisciplinary team where each member has well-defined skills and functions, and mechanisms are established to allow adequate coordination, both in the inpatient and outpatient settings. In Spain, the development and implementation of these teams or units dedicated to clinical nutrition has been very important: today they are present in most hospitals. This paper reviews the characteristics of clinical nutrition units, the functions of their team members, and the regulatory framework in our country

School Nutrition Professionals' Employee Safety Experiences During the Onset of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the real-time personal/employee safety experiences and perspectives of school nutrition professionals ranging from frontline staff to state leadership across the US as they responded to the initial weeks of the coronavirus pandemic. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was administered electronically March 31-April 20, 2020, to school nutrition staff, managers, directors, and state agency personnel. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and a thematic analysis of an open-ended item was conducted. RESULTS: School nutrition professionals (n = 504) from 47 states responded. Most (86.6%) reported that ensuring employee safety was somewhat or much more difficult during the pandemic, and they were unaware of an emergency plan. Themes from open-ended responses regarding employee safety concerns included, exposure and transmission risk, processes, and personal concerns. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Attention to the safety and concerns of school nutrition employees is vital for continuation of these programs during this pandemic and for future emergency situations.

Reducing the knowledge to action gap in hospital nutrition care - Developing and implementing nutritionDay 2.0.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: In hospital nutrition care the difficulty of translating knowledge to action often leads to inadequate management of patients with malnutrition. nutritionDay, an annual cross-sectional survey has been assessing nutrition care in healthcare institutions in 66 countries since 2006. While initial efforts led to increased awareness of malnutrition, specific local remedial actions rarely followed. Thus, reducing the Knowledge-to-action (KTA) gap in nutrition care requires more robust and focused strategies. This study describes the strategy, methods, instruments and experience of developing and implementing nutritionDay 2.0, an audit and feedback intervention that uses quality and economic indicators, feedback, benchmarking and self-defined action strategies to reduce the KTA gap in hospital nutrition care. METHODS: We used an evidence based multi-professional mixed-methods approach to develop and implement nutritionDay 2.0 This audit and feedback intervention is driven by a Knowledge-to-Action framework complemented with robust stakeholder analysis. Further evidence was synthesized from the literature, online surveys, a pilot study, World Cafés and individual expert feedback involving international health care professionals, nutrition care scientists and patients. RESULTS: The process of developing and implementing nutritionDay 2.0 over three years resulted in a new audit questionnaire based on 36 nutrition care quality and economic indicators at hospital, unit and patient levels, a new action-oriented feedback and benchmarking report and a unit-level personalizable action plan template. The evaluation of nutritionDay 2.0 is ongoing and will include satisfaction and utility of nutritionDay 2.0 tools and short-, mid- and long-term effects on the KTA gap. CONCLUSION: In clinical practice, nutritionDay 2.0 has the potential to promote behavioural and practice changes and improve hospital nutrition care outcomes. In research, the data generated advances knowledge about institutional malnutrition and quality of hospital nutrition care. The ongoing evaluation of the initiative will reveal how far the KTA gap in hospital nutrition care was addressed and facilitate the understanding of the mechanisms needed for successful audit and feedback. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Registration in clinicaltrials.gov: Identifier: NCT02820246.

Aprimoramento e validação de conteúdo de instrumentos para avaliar a qualidade de dietas hospitalares / Improvement and validation of the content of instruments to evaluate quality of hospital diets

Introdução: A avaliação da qualidade das refeições hospitalares pode contribuir para a melhor aceitação pelo paciente. Objetivo: Aprimorar e validar o conteúdo de instrumentos para avaliar a qualidade das dietas hospitalares. Método: Estudo realizado em unidade hospitalar do Rio de Janeiro para aprimoramento de formulário próprio para fiscalização do fornecimento de refeições. Para atender a todas as dimensões da qualidade, o formulário foi desdobrado em dois instrumentos, para avaliação da qualidade sensorial (AQS) e da qualidade higiênico-sanitária (AQH), e seu conteúdo foi submetido à validação através de painel de especialistas e da técnica Delphi adaptada. Após aprovado, foi aplicado em 12 cardápios das grandes refeições para avaliação das conformidades. O estudo foi aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética da instituição. Resultados: Tanto para AQS como para AQH, os itens relacionados a "apresentação/design", "clareza semântica", "facilidade de entendimento" e "facilidade de preenchimento" obtiveram concordância na primeira rodada. Uma segunda rodada foi necessária para readequação da "capacidade de avaliação" nos dois instrumentos. Após obtenção de no mínimo 91,7% de concordância para AQS e o mínimo de 90,1% para AQH, os instrumentos foram considerados validados. A média do índice de restos foi de 22%; as grandes refeições obtiveram percentuais maiores (32,4%) que as pequenas refeições (10,6%-21,5%). Para os cardápios das grandes refeições que apresentaram "não conformidade" para peso, textura, aparência, sabor e temperatura, foram solicitadas medidas de correção. Conclusão: As inconformidades observadas nas grandes refeições podem explicar o maior índice de restos, comparado às pequenas refeições. Espera-se que a aplicação rotineira dos instrumentos contribua para a melhor avaliação dietética dos pacientes hospitalizados e minimize o risco de desnutrição. Após adaptações, outras unidades de alimentação e nutrição podem fazer uso desses instrumentos para avaliar as dimensões da qualidade das refeições fornecidas. (AU)

Introduction: The assessment of the quality of hospital diets can contribute to better acceptance of the patients. Objective: The study aimed to improve and validate the content of instruments for assessing the quality of hospital diets. Methods: Study developed at a hospital in Rio de Janeiro to improve the form used for inspection of the supply of meals. To include all dimensions of quality, the form was divided into two instruments, for evaluation of sensory quality (ESQ) and hygienic and sanitary quality (EHQ), and its content was submitted to validation through a panel of experts using the Delphi technique adapted. Once approved, the instruments were applied to 12 menus of the two large meals to assess conformities. The study was approved by the institution's Ethics and Research Committee. Results: For both ESQ and EHQ, the items related to "presentation/design", "semantic clarity", "easy to understand" and "easy to fill in" obtained agreement in the first round. A second round was necessary to readjust the "capacity to assess hygienic and sanitary quality" in both instruments. After obtaining 91.7% of agreement for ESQ and 90.1% for EHQ, the instruments were considered validated. The mean rest index was 22%; large meals obtained higher percentages of waste (32.4%) than small meals (10.6% -21.5%). For the menus of the large meals that presented "non-conformities" for weight, texture, appearance, flavor and temperature, corrective measures were requested. Conclusion: The non-conformities observed in large meals may explain the high leftover index, compared to small meals. It is expected that the routine application of the instruments may contribute to a better dietary assessment of hospitalized patients and reduce the risk of malnutrition. After adaptations, other food and nutrition units can use these instruments to assess the dimensions of the quality of the provided meals. (AU)

Nutrition and maternal health: a mapping of Australian dietetic services.

BACKGROUND: Strong associations between diet and maternal and child outcomes emphasise the importance of evidence-based care for women across preconception, antenatal and postnatal periods. A 2008 survey of Australian maternal health dietetic services documented critically low resourcing with considerable variation in staffing levels and models of care. This study repeated the survey to examine resourcing in Australian maternal health services. METHODS: A cross-sectional online survey was emailed to publicly-funded Australian maternal health dietetic services in May 2018. Quantitative and qualitative variables collected across preconception to postnatal services (including diabetes) included; births per year (BPY), number of beds, staffing (full time equivalents; FTE), referral processes, and models of care. Results were collated in > 5000; 3500 and 5000; and < 3500 BPY. RESULTS: Forty-three eligible surveys were received from seven states/territories. Dietetic staffing levels ranged from 0 to 4.0 FTE (> 5000 BPY), 0-2.8 FTE (3500-5000 BPY), and 0-2.0 FTE (< 3500 BPY). The offering of preconception, antenatal and postnatal services varied significantly between hospitals (format, staffing, referral processes, delivery models). Few sites reported service effectiveness monitoring and only one delivered gestational diabetes mellitus care according to nutrition practice guidelines. Low staffing levels and extensive service gaps, including lack of processes to deliver and evaluate services, were evident with major concerns expressed about the lack of capacity to provide evidence-based care. CONCLUSIONS: Ten years after the initial survey and recommendations there remains an identified role for dietitians to advocate for better staffing and for development, implementation, and evaluation of service models to influence maternal nutrition.

Effect of Diet on Insulin Resistance in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: The effect of diet on insulin resistance (IR) in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is controversial. Thus, we conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate whether diet could reduce IR in women with PCOS while providing optimal and precise nutrition advice for clinical practice. DESIGN: The search was conducted in 8 databases through June 30, 2019. The systematic review was performed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines. A random-effects model was adopted to calculate the overall effects. RESULTS: A total of 19 trials (1193 participants) were included. The analysis showed that diet was significantly related to improvements in IR and body composition (eg, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, fasting insulin, fasting plasma glucose, body mass index [BMI], weight, and waist circumference) in PCOS patients. The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension diet and calorie-restricted diets might be the optimal choices for reducing IR and improving body composition, respectively, in the PCOS population. Additionally, the effects were associated with the course of treatment. The longer the duration, the greater the improvement was. Compared with metformin, diet was also advantageous for weight loss (including BMI and weight) and had the same effects on insulin regulation. CONCLUSION: Overall, our findings suggest that diet is an effective, acceptable and safe intervention for relieving IR, and professional dietary advice should be offered to all PCOS patients.

Dietitians Australia position statement on telehealth.

It is the position of Dietitians Australia that clients can receive high-quality and effective dietetic services such as Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) delivered via telehealth. Outcomes of telehealth-delivered dietetic consultations are comparable to those delivered in-person, without requiring higher levels of additional training nor compromising quality of service provision. Dietitians Australia recommends that policy makers and healthcare funders broaden the recognition for telehealth-delivered dietetic consultations as a responsive and cost-effective alternative or complement to traditional in-person delivery of dietetic services. The successful implementation of telehealth can help to address health and service inequalities, improve access to effective nutrition services, and support people with chronic disease to optimise their diet-related health and well-being, regardless of their location, income or literacy level, thereby addressing current inequities.

Food Hygiene Practices at the Ghana School Feeding Programme in Wa and Cape Coast Cities.

Objective: The integrity and the wholesomeness of the food served to school pupils cannot be overlooked, especially when one considers the magnitude of health and sanitation issues that are plaguing the West African nations. This study aimed to investigate some of the personal hygiene practices by the pupils and the hygienic conditions in which food is cooked and served to these school-going children under the Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP). Design: A cross-sectional and descriptive survey research designs were used in the study. Purposive and simple random sampling techniques were employed in selecting participants. Participants. There were 720 respondents for the study, comprising 600 pupils, 60 teachers, and 60 kitchen staff members from 20 schools. Information was obtained using questionnaire, observation, and unstructured interview instruments. Results: Findings from the study revealed that the majority of pupils (92% in Wa and 65% in Cape Coast) did not wash their hands with soap under running water. No hand washing centers for pupils were also seen in most of the schools studied. Majority of the cooks did not have health certificate, and neither had attended any in-service training in two years. In both Wa and Cape Coast municipal schools, none of the kitchen staff admitted that pupils and teachers ever complained about the meals they served to the pupils. Conclusion: The GSFP in basic schools forms part of the integral diet of the school children; hence, provision of good quality food can affect the health, learning, and physical activities of these children. Observational checklist revealed that most of the kitchen staff do not strictly adhere to basic food hygiene practices, and this affects the wholesomeness of the food served to the children. There is, therefore, a need for kitchen staff training on hygiene and food preparation practices.

Power dynamics as a determinant of access and utilization of nutrition services by pregnant and lactating adolescent girls in Trans-Mara East Sub-County, Narok County, Kenya.

BACKGROUND: During pregnancy or lactating, adequate nutrition for adolescents becomes critical to reduce risks for both child and maternal-related morbidity and mortality. Power dynamics play a massive role in health outcomes. The main objective of this study was to examine the power dynamics in the families and communities and their impact on the pregnant and lactating adolescent girls' access and utilization of nutrition services in Trans-Mara East Sub-County, Narok County. METHODS: A cross-sectional approach that employed mixed methods with both quantitative and qualitative research was adopted. Probability proportionate to size sampling techniques using cluster and simple random methods were used to practically access pregnant or lactating adolescents. Data was collected using questionnaires, in-depth interview and Focus Group Discussion. Quantitative data was analyzed descriptively using frequencies and inferentially using odds ratio and Z-test. Framework analysis was employed to analyze qualitative data. P ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: In the power dynamics analyses, the intrinsic capability (Intrinsic capabilities are those adolescent driven initiatives that facilitate their access to nutrition services) was more likely to decrease awareness by half (OR = 0.52, 95% CI = 0.4-0.7, P < 0.01) whereas extrinsic dependency was likely to increase utilization by 1.2 times (OR = 1.2, 95% CI = 1.0-1.5, P = 0.055). From the stakeholder power matrix, the health personnel had observable visible power to influence access and utilization of nutrition services. Additional results revealed that adolescents who draw their support from significant others were more likely to utilize nutrition services as compared to those who attempted to make their own efforts to seek these services. Furthermore, health personnel have the most influential powers in ensuring adolescents access services and thus the most important actors in the stakeholder matrix. Other actors requiring focus included parents, political figures and governments while stakeholder engagement have higher potential of increasing access and utilization of services through dialogue. CONCLUSIONS: Community access to nutritional services can be increased through use of multiple avenues to reach adolescents, including school-based, health system-based, community-based approaches and even marriage registries. A heightened engagement in the identified stakeholder network is necessary when planning community conversations, to ensure a multi-stakeholder approaches in meeting the nutrition needs of adolescents.

Hygienic-Sanitary conditions of Hospital Nutrition Services in Southern Brazil / Condições higienicossanitárias dos serviços de nutrição e dietética em hospitais do Sul do Brasil

This study evaluated the good handling practices in the ten Hospital Nutrition Services of the respective hospitals in the South of Brazil, classified as general hospitals. For data collection, there was used a Checklist for Good Handling Practices for Food Services based on current legislation. Among the results, the average of adequacy of the hospitals stand out, showing that the items related to responsibilities and edifications had the lowest adequacies, 67% and 73%, respectively, followed by the food handler block, with 76% of adequacies. The block referring to food handlers showed that few of them sanitize the hands during the change of activity. The classification of hospitals in relation to Good Handling Practices was satisfactory, however, greater failure was observed related to the practices of the food handlers, which are crucial for the safety of food produced in Hospital Nutrition Services.

Este estudo avaliou as boas práticas de manipulação em 10 serviços de nutrição e dietética de hospitais do Sul do Brasil, classificados como hospital geral. Para a coleta de dados, utilizou-se uma Lista de Verificação em Boas Práticas para Serviços de Alimentação baseada na legislação vigente. Dentre os resultados destacam-se a média de adequação dos hospitais, mostrando que os itens relacionados a responsabilidades e edificações apresentaram as menores adequações, 67% e 73%, respectivamente, seguidos com o bloco de manipuladores, com 76% de adequações. O bloco referente aos manipuladores de alimentos mostrou que poucos deles higienizam as mãos durante a troca de atividade. A classificação dos hospitais em relação à Boas Práticas de Manipulação foi satisfatória, no entanto, observou-se que falta o cumprimento de alguns itens, relacionados com as práticas dos manipuladores, que são cruciais para a segurança dos alimentos produzidos nos serviços de alimentação.

The holistico-reductionist Siga classification according to the degree of food processing: an evaluation of ultra-processed foods in French supermarkets.

The qualitative NOVA classification of foods according to their degree of processing is used worldwide by researchers. NOVA defines ultra-processed foods (UPFs) by the presence of processed industrial ingredients and additives to modify the sensory properties (aroma, taste, colour and texture) of reconstituted food, named 'cosmetic' compounds, i.e., modifying food appearance. Some drastic processes directly applied to food are also markers of ultra-processing. However, with the intent to develop an elaborate tool for industries and retailers, the Siga classification was developed by combining the four holistic NOVA groups with four more new reductionist subgroups considering the impact of processing on the food/ingredient matrix; the contents of added salt, sugar and fat; the nature and number of markers of ultra-processing (MUPs); and the levels of at-risk additives (groups are unprocessed, A0; minimally processed foods, A1; culinary ingredients, A2; balanced foods, B1/C0.1; high salt, sugar and/or fat level foods, B2/C0.2; processed/ultra-processed foods; and UPFs with more than one MUP, C1). The Siga algorithm was used to characterize 24 932 packaged foods in French supermarkets (baby foods and alcohol excluded), which were representative of the packaged food assortments. The main results showed that two-thirds of the products were ultra-processed. Products with more than one MUP (C1) corresponded to the most represented category, accounting for 54% of the products. Among foods with more than five ingredients, 75% were UPFs. Considering all products, the average number of ingredients, MUPs and at-risk additives were 10.1, 2.6 and 0.5, respectively. Among food categories, some contained a high percentage of UPFs: 94, 95, 95, 81, 80, and 87% for salted meats, cooked dishes, flavoured yogurts/white cheeses, energy and gourmet bars, breakfast cereals, and vegetarian dishes, respectively. Finally, the Siga algorithm presents a useful tool for improving the health potential of packaged food and for decision-making on search engine optimization (SEO) policy and assortment management in supermarkets.

"I was able to eat what I am supposed to eat"-- patient reflections on a medically-tailored meal intervention: a qualitative analysis.

BACKGROUND: Medically-tailored meal programs that provide home-delivered medically-appropriate food are an emerging intervention when type 2 diabetes co-occurs with food insecurity (limited or uncertain access to nutritious food owing to cost). We sought to understand the experiences of medically-tailored meal program participants. METHODS: We conducted semi-structured interviews with participants in a randomized trial of medically-tailored meals (NCT02426138) until reaching content saturation. Participants were adults (age > 20 years) with type 2 diabetes in eastern Massachusetts, and the interviews were conducted from April to July 2017. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and coded by two independent reviewers. We determined emergent themes using content analysis. RESULTS: Twenty individuals were interviewed. Their mean age was 58 (SD: 13) years, 60.0% were women, 20.0% were non-Hispanic black, and 15.0% were Hispanic. Key themes were 1) satisfaction and experience with medically-tailored meals 2) food preferences and cultural appropriateness, 3) diabetes management and awareness, and 4) suggestions for improvement and co-interventions. Within these themes, participants were generally satisfied with medically-tailored meals and emphasized the importance of receiving culturally appropriate food. Participants reported several positive effects of medically-tailored meals, including improved quality of life and ability to manage diabetes, and stress reduction. Participants suggested combining medically-tailored meals with diabetes self-management education or lifestyle interventions. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with diabetes and food insecurity expressed satisfaction with the medically-tailored meal program, and reported that participation reduced stress and the burden of diabetes management. Suggestions to help ensure the success of medically-tailored meal programs included a strong emphasis on culturally acceptability and accommodating taste preferences for provided foods, and combining medically-tailored meals with diabetes education or lifestyle intervention. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02426138.