Nutrition Education Tool Research Articles

Efficacy of the Nutrition Education and Screening Tool as a Foundation for Exploring Perinatal Diet and Determinants in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women of Far North Queensland.

Assessing perinatal diet and its determinants in Australia's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women remains challenging, given the paucity of tools that incorporate Aboriginal ways of knowing, being, and remembering within a quantitative framework. This study aimed to explore the determinants of perinatal nutrition in this population and to evaluate the efficacy of the Nutrition Education and Screening Tool (NEST) in collecting diet-related data in this population. This study employed a Participatory Action Research approach using the NEST as a foundation for structured research inquiry. Self-reported diet and determinants were collected from a cross-sectional cohort of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women from Far North Queensland. Participants (n = 30) declared excess consumption of meat and alternatives, fruit, vegetables and legumes, and dairy and alternatives. Grain and cereal consumption aligned with recommendations; wild-harvested foods comprised a mean 19.75% of their protein intake. Food frequency data were supported by participants' descriptions of how they eat, combine, rotate, and cook these foods. Standard food frequency questionnaires are challenging for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders as their concepts of time and ways of remembering are different from Western understanding. Use of the NEST allowed food frequency items to be explored, clarified, and cross-referenced; yarning provided a degree of support for quantitative data. The results of this study translate to future public health research, practice, and policy. Alternative quantitative measures to determine food frequency should be considered in future studies. These may include the cyclical approach to time that is well understood and integrated by Indigenous cultures.

Role of Audio Visual Aids to Impart Garden-Based Nutrition Education for Preschoolers

Introduction: One of the most critical period in human life is the preschool years. In order to develop healthy food habits nutrition education need to be imparted at this age. There is a novel strategy to deliver nutrition education to children namely Garden-Based Nutrition Education (GBNE). Utilization of nutrition education tools can be an effective way for the delivery of GBNE.
 Aim: To develop PowerPoint presentation on the importance of fruits and vegetables converts to video form and a child friendly gardening video for preschool children and assess the feasibility and acceptability.
 Materials and Methods: Audio visual aids like power point presentation and videos were developed. Power point presentation on importance of fruits and vegetables was developed in such a way that it can reach the respondents and convey the intended message for preschool children with a total of 13 slides.
 A documentary child friendly gardening video was constructed having a duration of nearly seven minutes with the title “Garden Based Nutrition Education” with the intention to inculcate gardening skills among children from their early childhood years. Both the tools were developed using standardized procedures and was subjected to pre study. In order to assess the feasibility and acceptability of the developed GBNE tools it was subjected to preschool teachers/anganwadi workers and parents of preschool children. The sample consisted of 75 parents and 75 preschool teachers which was randomly selected from Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram districts of Kerala.
 Results: The study reveals that, both parents and teachers finds child friendly gardening video as the most feasible and acceptable tool to impart garden-based nutrition education.
 Discussion: Preschool children loves gardening ad watering. Child friendly gardening video is most involving and interesting in nature when compared to power point video.
 Conclusion: Therefore it can be concluded that power point video on importance of fruits and vegetables and child friendly gardening video can be used as effective GBNE tool to teach the significance of fruits and vegetables through gardening activities.

Exploring dietitians' views on digital nutrition educational tools in Malaysia: a qualitative study.

Dietitians frequently use nutrition education tools to facilitate dietary counselling sessions. Nevertheless, these tools may require adaptation to keep pace with technological advancements. This study had a 2-fold purpose: first, to identify the types of nutrition education tools currently in use, identify their limitations, and explore dietitians' perspectives on the importance of these tools; second, to investigate the features that dietitians prefer in digital nutrition education tools. A semi-structured face-to-face interview was conducted among 15 dietitians from selected public hospitals, primary care clinics, and teaching hospitals in Malaysia. Inductive thematic analysis of the responses was conducted using NVivo version 12 software. Most dietitians used physical education tools including the healthy plate model, pamphlets, food models, and flip charts. These tools were perceived as important as they facilitate the nutrition assessment process, deliver nutrition intervention, and are time efficient. However, dietitians described the current educational tools as impersonal, outdated, limited in availability due to financial constraints, unhandy, and difficult to visualise. Alternatively, they strongly favoured digital education tools that provided instant feedback, utilised an automated system, included a local food database, were user-friendly, developed by experts in the field, and seamlessly integrated into the healthcare system. Presently, although dietitians have a preference for digital educational tools, they heavily rely on physical nutrition education tools due to their availability despite the perception that these tools are outdated, impersonal, and inconvenient. Transitioning to digital dietary education tools could potentially address these issues.

Plate model as a tool for nutritional education of patients undergoing metabolic surgery: a strategic intervention proposal

The main objective of metabolic surgery is to promote remission of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) and, consequently, other diseases associated with obesity. To guarantee satisfactory results, nutritional support is crucial before and after surgery. The aim of this study was to develop a plate model adapted for patients undergoing metabolic surgery as a proposed tool to help nutritionists during patient care. To develop this tool, we used the bariatric food pyramid proposed by Moizé et al. (2010), the bariatric plate model proposed by Cambi & Baretta (2018) and The Plate Model by Camelon et al (1998). Subsequently, a visual metabolic adapted plate (MAP) tool was developed to meet the specific nutritional demands of patients undergoing metabolic surgery. The adaptation was made considering four pillars that go beyond the composition of essential nutrients for a good diet. It is hoped that the use of the MAP can help nutritionists as a tool for food and nutrition education and support adapted to the specific needs of each patient, with a view to improving clinical and nutritional parameters.

P28-034-23 WAWAS SALUDABLES: Nutritional Education Tool for Children With Micronutrient Deficiency From Rural Amazonian Communities in Ecuador

P28-034-23 WAWAS SALUDABLES: Nutritional Education Tool for Children With Micronutrient Deficiency From Rural Amazonian Communities in Ecuador

SIMPATIK website nutrition education on mother's knowledge and diversity of toddler consumption in Jambi City

The problem of under-five nutrition is still a significant concern in developing countries. One of the main factors is the level of nutritional knowledge, so feeding toddlers is inappropriate and less varied. Nutrition education must be delivered in an informative and flexible. This study aims to analyze the effect of nutrition education based on the SIMPATIK website on mothers' knowledge and diversity of toddler consumption in Jambi City. The study used a Quasy Experimental design in a pre-post test only, with 60 mothers of toddlers as subjects in the working area of the Tahtul Yaman Public Health Center in 2022. Were collection used a questionnaire, interviews and assistance using the SIMPATIK. Statistical analysis using the Wilcoxon test at 95% CI. The results of the study, the SIMPATIK website on the nutritional knowledge of toddler mothers (p= 0,000; = 2,18), and diversity of food consumption (p= 0,000; = 0,99). In conclusion, SIMPATIK increased the nutritional knowledge of mothers of toddlers and the variety of toddlers' consumption in Jambi City. The SIMPATIK website can be used as a tool for nutrition education in the community.

"Nutripiatto": A tool for nutritional education. A survey to assess dietary habits in preschool children.

Childhood obesity is a global public health concern linked to metabolic and psychological comorbidities. There is growing evidence that children's lifestyle habits are shifting towards obesity, with dire consequences for their future well-being and healthcare costs. In this interventional study, we enrolled 115 children aged between 4-5 years (53% females and 47% males) and carried out nutrition education interventions to improve their dietary habits. We introduced "Nutripiatto", a visual plate icon and easy guide, which was used by the children during the study. We investigated the children's dietary habits using a Food Frequency Questionnaire at the beginning and end of the study, after one month of using "Nutripiatto". The results showed that the children significantly increased the portion sizes and frequency of vegetable consumption (P<0.001) and reduced the consumption of several junk foods such as French fries and crisps (P<0.001), reaching the recommended dietary allowances and frequency of consumption. Daily consumption of water also significantly increased, reaching the suggested amount of six glasses per day. Based on these results, "Nutripiatto" can be considered an effective visual guide and helpful tool to achieve small changes and empower families to make healthier food choices. It can also be considered an effective educational tool for nutritionists and healthcare professionals to improve children's dietary behavior.

Development and testing of a nutrition education tool on iron supplementation for pregnant women

Background: Although iron supplementation may prevent iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) during pregnancy, a nutrition education tool highlighting the importance of iron supplementation during pregnancy is also important. Objectives: The aim was to develop and test a nutrition education tool on iron supplementation for pregnant women. Design: A cross-sectional study was conducted. Setting: Mutare City Clinic, Manicaland province, Zimbabwe. Subjects: Sixty-seven pregnant women in their second or third trimesters of pregnancy and attending Mutare City Clinic for antenatal care (ANC) participated in the study. Outcome measures: The preferences of pregnant women regarding form, structure and content of the nutrition education tool were established using eight focus-group discussions (FGDs) in which 67 pregnant women participated. Three additional FGDs were conducted with another 28 pregnant women to assess the user-friendliness and acceptability of the developed tool. Results: A pamphlet was the most preferred tool, with English being the most preferred language, along with some Shona phrases. Women wanted information on IDA, dosage, duration and side-effects of iron supplementation and iron food sources to be included in the pamphlet. The participants identified clinics, pharmacies and churches as ideal sites for dissemination of the tool. Conclusions: A pamphlet on iron supplementation in simple English with some Shona phrases was the nutrition education tool most preferred by the pregnant women. Offering the pamphlet together with iron supplements to pregnant women could improve compliance with iron supplements. However, follow-up ANC consultations are important for effective implementation of all key messages in the pamphlet.

Application of Somatosensory Computer Game for Nutrition Education in Preschool Children

With the popularization of technological products, people’s everyday lives are now full of 3C (computer, communication, and consumer electronics) products. Children have gradually become acquainted with these new technological products. In recent years, more somatosensory games have been introduced along with the development of new media puzzle games for children. Several studies have shown that somatosensory games can improve physical, brain, and sensory integrated development in children, as well as promoting parent–child and peer interactions and enhancing children’s attention and cooperation in play. The purpose of this study is to assess the effect of integrating somatosensory computer games into early childhood nutrition education. The subjects of this study were 15 preschool children (aged 5–6 years old) from a preschool in Taichung City, Taiwan. We used the somatosensory game “Arno’s Fruit and Vegetable Journey” as an intervention tool for early childhood nutrition education. The somatosensory game production uses the Scratch software combined with Rabboni sensors. The somatosensory game education intervention was carried out for one hour a week over two consecutive weeks. We used questionnaires and nutrition knowledge learning sheets to evaluate the early childhood nutrition knowledge and learning status and satisfaction degree in the first and second weeks of this study. The results showed that there were no statistically significant differences between the preschool children’s game scores and times, as well as nutritional knowledge scores, before and after the intervention. Most of the preschool children highly enjoyed the somatosensory game educational activities. We reveal some problems in the teaching activities of somatosensory games, which can provide a reference for future research on designing and producing somatosensory games for preschool children and somatosensory game-based education.

Food and nutrition labelling as a nutrition education tool: understanding, perspectives and practices of South African dietitians.

Introduction: Food and nutrition labelling is an effective tool to address diet-related non-communicable diseases (NCDs), in which nutrition education plays an integral role. Objectives: To investigate South African dietitians’ understanding, perspectives and practices of food and nutrition labelling as a nutrition education tool. Design: A quantitative descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted. Setting: A nationwide survey was undertaken of dietitians from all sectors of practice. Subjects: Dietitians registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) (n = 137). Outcome measures: A self-administered electronic survey was used for data collection. Results: Awareness of labelling regulations was high (86.9%); however, confidence in knowledge of regulations was lacking (53.3%), as well as knowledge regarding food-labelling regulations (R146) (52.6%). More than half (57.7%) regarded labels as relevant to their daily work and 51.8% used labels frequently, varying use depending on client needs. For education purposes, the nutrition information table (75.2%), client-specific nutrients (70.0%) and health endorsement logos (HELs) (59.2%) were most frequently used. Product healthiness was mainly evaluated using the cooking method (86.1%), level of processing (67.9%) and product category (63.5%). Least used aspects were origin/certification claims (39.4%) and animal husbandry (34.3%). Highly rated aspects included belief in label efficacy (88.3%), accuracy (81.8%), a positive attitude (87.6%) and relevance (80.2%). Conclusion: To promote optimal use of labelling as a nutrition education tool, standardisation, trustworthiness and continuing education should be addressed. Furthermore, the urgent promulgation of the draft food labelling regulations will address existing barriers to label use.

The Effects of a Computer Game (Healthy Rat King) on Preschool Children's Nutritional Knowledge and Junk Food Intake Behavior: Nonrandomized Controlled Trial.

BackgroundPlaying computer-aided games could enhance children’s interest in learning about nutritional knowledge and eventually promote healthy dietary intake behavior.ObjectiveThis study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a computer game (Healthy Rat King) in improving the knowledge on nutrition and junk food intake among preschool children in Taiwan.MethodsThis was a quasi-experimental study that utilized the computer game Healthy Rat King as the nutrition education tool. We recruited 104 preschool children (aged 5-6 years) from preschools in central Taiwan, who were assigned to either the experimental group (n=56) or the control group (n=48). In the experimental group, a 1-hour computer-based educational game intervention was included in the course for 4 consecutive weeks. The control group did not receive this intervention.ResultsThe level of nutritional knowledge for children in the experimental group was significantly higher than those in the control group after 4 weeks (P=.002). Furthermore, the frequency of consumption of chocolate, candies, and ice cream (high-calorie junk food) was reduced in the experimental group. There was also no significant difference in the consumption of candy and chocolate (P=.54), ice cream and ice pops (P=.21), cake (P=.92), biscuit (P=.98), soft drinks (P=.52), and fruit juice and sugary drinks (P=.31) between the 2 groups in the posttest.ConclusionsTeaching using a computer game could improve children’s nutritional knowledge. However, the intake frequency of junk food among children in the experimental group showed no significant difference from those in the control group.

SAlBi educa (Tailored Nutrition App for Improving Dietary Habits): Initial Evaluation of Usability.

In recent years, the use of applications to improve dietary habits has increased. Although numerous nutrition apps are available on the market, only few have been developed by health and nutrition professionals based on scientific evidence and subsequently tested to prove their usability. The main objective of this study was to design, develop, and evaluate the usability of a tailored nutrition application to be used to promote healthy eating habits. In order to decide app design and content, three focus groups took place with fifteen professionals from primary healthcare, nutrition, and food science and computer science, as well as expert users. For the general and feedback message design, a reference model based on the scientific literature was developed. To address the multi-perspective approach of users' and external healthcare professionals' feedback, a one-day pilot testing with potential users and healthcare professionals was conducted with four focus groups. To evaluate the relevance and potential usability of the app a 1-month pilot test was conducted in a real-life environment. A total of 42 volunteers participated in the one-day pilot testing, and 39 potential users participated in the 1-month pilot test. The SAlBi educa app developed includes an online dietary record, a self-monitoring tool to evaluate dietary patterns, general and feedback messages, and examples of traditional Mediterranean recipes. The usability study showed that volunteers think that SAlBi educa is pleasant (59%) and easy to learn to use (94%). Over 84% of the volunteers declared that the nutritional messages were clear and useful. Volunteers stated that general and tailored recommendations, as well as self-monitoring, were SAlBi educa's most motivating and useful features. SAlBi educa is an innovative, user-friendly nutritional education tool with the potential to engage and help individuals to follow dietary habits based on the Mediterranean model.

A Pilot Study of Nutrition Management in the Department of Pediatric Oncology Department of a Hospital in Kazakhstan

Maintaining optimal nutritional status is important for children with cancer because it can affect clinical outcomes. This study aimed to prospectively study clinical practices in children's cancer departments to improve the nutritional health of children and adolescents receiving cancer treatment. Currently, there are no unified and harmonized protocols for assessing the nutritional status and nutritional support of children in pediatric wards in Kazakhstan. According to WHO research, most of the children admitted to hospitals already have significant nutritional status disorders, such as exhaustion and malnutrition, lipid metabolism disorders, hypovitaminosis and anemia. 200 children with cancer aged 6 months to 17 years (n=200) were recruited. Dietary data and other relevant anthropometric and biochemical data were collected using a data collection form validated and developed by the researchers. Data processing is still in progress. They were randomly allocated either to a treatment group or a control group (age-matched and gender matched). The treatment group received nutritional advice and support and the control group received the standard treatment. A significant decrease in the intake of protein and energy with the consumed diets, which are prescribed by doctors in daily practice, was revealed, which is a risk factor for the development of severe nutritional disorders (p&gt;0.5). Patients who were assigned nutritional support in addition to the General diets during the study had higher nutrient intake. Comparing week zero with subsequent weeks of nutritional support, children in the main group showed significant improvements in the thickness of the triceps skin fold (P&lt;0.001), the circumference of the middle shoulder (P&lt;0.001), and the circumference of the arm muscles (P&lt;0.001), showing that performing nutritional support is better for the evolution of nutrition (P&lt;0.01). Proper use of nutritional support in children with cancer can prevent the development of nutritional deficiencies and associated risks. To improve nutrition management, attention should be paid to nutrition education and assessment tools for doctors and nurses.

Effect of nutrition education tool using self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) on glycemic control in overweight or obese people with prediabetes

Effect of nutrition education tool using self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) on glycemic control in overweight or obese people with prediabetes

Feasibility and Acceptability of 'VitaVillage': A Serious Game for Nutrition Education.

Computer games have previously been used to improve nutrition knowledge in children. This paper describes the acceptability and feasibility of a serious game, “VitaVillage”, for improving child nutrition knowledge. VitaVillage is a farming-style game in which the player undertakes quests and completes questions aimed at increasing several aspects of nutrition and healthy eating knowledge. Children aged 9–12 years in two primary schools (control vs. intervention) completed a nutrition knowledge questionnaire at baseline (T1) and after 1 week (T2). Participants at the intervention school (n = 75) played VitaVillage for 20 minutes on two occasions. Control participants (n = 94) received no nutrition education. Likeability question scores and written feedback from intervention participants was reported qualitatively. Paired sample t-tests were used to compare T1 and T2 nutrition knowledge changes between control and intervention participants. Engagement with VitaVillage improved children’s overall nutrition knowledge (Mean increase of 2.25 points between T1 and T2, Standard Deviation (SD) 6.31, p = 0.035) compared to controls. The game was liked overall (mean score 77 (SD 24.6) on scale of 0–100) and positive feedback was given. Results indicate that VitaVillage has the potential to be successful as a nutrition education tool. In the future, VitaVillage’s content and gameplay will be revised, extended and evaluated for its long-term impact on eating behaviour and knowledge changes.

Improved recipes provide better complementary feeding in young children: findings of community-based trials in Bangladesh.

In Bangladesh, only 34% of children receive minimum acceptable diets as complementary foods (CF) for appropriate age while the rest of them remain at the risk of growth faltering, micronutrient deficiency, compromised cognitive development, and increased morbidity and mortality. The purpose of the study was to develop nutritious recipes for complementary feeding and provide necessary guidelines for improving complementary feeding practices for doctors, nutritionist and caregivers. This qualitative study including a baseline survey and Trials of Improved Practices of recipes (TIPs) was conducted on families having 6-23 months old children selected by Multi-stage random sampling methods from 2010 to 2012 throughout seven divisions of Bangladesh. Thirty-five food recipes were developed from local food items based on the 'WHO indicators to assess the adequacy of CF practices' for the TIP. Thirty (30) cooked recipes were analyzed for 10 nutrients in an accredited laboratory in Bangladesh. The baseline survey found that energy density of local recipes was low and did not have the required diversity, adequacy, and nutrient density according to IYCF indicators established by WHO. The TIPs found that 28 recipes out of the 35 recipes were most acceptable by both mothers and children. A manual of improved complementary food recipes and a complementary feeding guideline has been developed with calculation of dietary diversity scores, energy and nutrient density. This report will provide evidence-based practical knowledge for training and serve as nutrition education tool for nutrition practitioners, policy makers, and academicians.

ANALISIS RESPON SISWA TERHADAP MEDIA CAKRAM GIZI “BUSA” PADA REMAJA SEKOLAH MENENGAH ATAS NEGERI DAN SWASTA DI KOTA YOGYAKARTA

Analysis of Student Responses to BUSA Nutrition Disc Media in Public and Private High School Teenagers in Yogyakarta City Kota Background: c onsumption of fruits and vegetables is one component of the application of balanced nutrition. Adolescents are the age group with the lowest consumption of fruits and vegetables. Lack of fruit and vegetable consumption in adolescents is associated with obesity. One of the efforts to increase fruit and vegetable consumption is nutrition education. The nutritional education process cannot be separated from the use of the media. Media cakram gizi BUSA is a nutrition education tool. Objective: t here needs to be an analysis of student responses to the media. Objective: To determine of student responses to media cakram gizi BUSA in public and private high school adolescents in Yogyakarta City. Methods: t his study was a cross sectional study. The research was conducted on adolescents in State Senior High School (SMAN 6 Yogyakarta, SMAN 9 Yogyakarta) and Private High School (SMA Muhammadiyah 3, SMA Muhammadiyah 4 Yogyakarta) with a total of 128 students as respondents. Media cakram gizi BUSA consists of 2 nutrition discs, namely “cakram gizi buah” and “cakram gizi sayur”. The research was conducted by sending media cakram gizi BUSA to the home address of each respondent and then the respondents filled out the response questionnaire data via google form. Student response data were analyzed and a comparison test between public and private high schools was carried out using Chi Square analysis. Results: t he media “cakram gizi buah” received the same number of positive and negative responses, 32 students (50%) in public schools respectively, and received a positive response from 39 students (60.9%), 25 students (39.1%) had a negative response at school. private. While media “cakram gizi sayur” received a positive response from 34 students (53.1%), a negative response from 30 students (46.9%) in public schools and a positive response from 41 students (64.1%), a negative response from 23 students (35.9) in private schools. Conclusion: t here is no difference in student responses to media cakram gizi BUSA in public and private senior high schools in Yogyakarta City.

A nutritional intervention that promotes increased vegetable intake in Japanese with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a six-month trial.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether a nutritional intervention motivating increased vegetable consumption would be an effective treatment and diet therapy for patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. We examined 15 patients with this disease (5 men and 10 women). During the 6-month intervention period, all participants received a small amount of vegetables twice a month as a nutritional education tool aimed at increasing vegetable consumption. They also received nutritional counseling and underwent ultrasound and blood biochemical examinations at baseline and 3 and 6 months after initiation of the intervention. Moreover, they were requested to submit dietary records for any 2 days. Green, white, and total vegetable intakes were significantly higher at 3 and 6 months than at baseline in 8 patients. These patients had significantly lower alanine amino­transferase and triglyceride concentrations than those whose vegetable intake did not increase. Additionally, green vegetable intake significantly negatively correlated with weight at 3 and 6 months (r = −0.617, p = 0.032 and r = −0.848, p = 0.008, respectively). These results suggest that our nutritional approach effectively increased vegetable consumption in at least some patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, consequently improving their condition.

Suitability of a Post-Operative Bariatric Nutrition Education Tool

ObjectivesWhile bariatric surgery is an effective treatment for individuals living with severe obesity, adhering to dietary requirements, especially protein requirements, can be a challenge. This study aims to examine the suitability of a nutrition-based education tool called “Protein Cards” that is focused on recipes high in protein to support individuals who have completed the surgery. MethodsAn online survey (23 questions) was developed using an adapted version of the Suitability Assessment of Materials (SAM) instrument along with two additional questions about the participants’ overall impression of the Protein Cards. Sample recipe cards were shown on each page of the survey. Participants were asked to rate the Protein Cards (“Not Suitable”, “Adequate”, or “Superior”) on: Content, Literacy Demand, Graphic Illustrations, Layout & Typography, Learning Stimulation & Motivation, and Cultural Appropriateness. Additionally, participants rated Overall Impression on a scale of 0 to 100. The survey was distributed over email to Canadian bariatric patients (adolescents and adults), dietitians, healthcare workers, and caregivers. ResultsTwenty participants registered to participate in the survey (Sept 2020-Jan 2021) but only fifteen participants completed the entire survey. Preliminary results revealed “Superior” scores for Content (83%), Learning & Stimulation (81%), Layout & Typography (89%), Literacy Demand (76%), and Cultural Appropriateness (78%). Overall, the recipe cards obtained an average score of 81%, which is considered as a “Superior” evaluation. Participants expressed that they were more likely to use the education tool during the “purée" (82%) and “soft diet” (78%) phases of the post-surgical diet and would prefer if the tool took on the form of a mobile application (85%). ConclusionsThe Protein Cards are considered a superior education tool that could be helpful when teaching and learning about foods high in protein for the post-operative stages of bariatric surgery. Future work will involve testing the tool in practice with both adolescent and adult patients as a means to increase adherence to post-operative nutrition requirements. Funding SourcesUniversity of British Columbia, Faculty of Land and Food Systems.

Adequate Management of Phosphorus in Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis Using a Dietary Smartphone App: Prospective Pilot Study.

BackgroundThe renal diet is complex and requires alterations of the diet and careful monitoring of various nutrients. Elevated serum phosphorus is common among patients undergoing hemodialysis, and it is associated with many complications. Smartphone technology could be used to support both dietitians and patients by providing a source of accessible and reliable information.ObjectiveThe aim of this pilot is to assess the potential efficacy of an intervention using the educational and self-monitoring mobile app KELA.AE on the phosphorous management in hemodialysis patients. Results will be used to improve both the app and a planned, rigorous large-scale trial intended to assess app efficacy.MethodsThis is a prospective pilot study performed at the hemodialysis unit of Al Qassimi Hospital (Emirate of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates). All patients were assessed for eligibility and, based on inclusion criteria, considered for enrollment. Participants met with a dietitian once a week and used the mobile app regularly for 2 weeks. Outcomes (knowledge, self-reported nonadherence, dietary intake, anthropometry, and biochemical data) were measured. This pilot is reported as per guidelines for nonrandomized pilot and feasibility studies and in line with the CONSORT (Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials) 2010 checklist for reporting pilot or feasibility trials.ResultsOf 26 subjects, 23 successfully completed the pilot. Patient dietary knowledge about phosphorous management improved from 51.4% (SD 13.9) to 68.1% (SD 13.3) after intervention with a large effect size (d=1.22, 95% CI 0.59 to 1.85). Dietary protein intake increased from a mean of 0.9 g/kg (SD 0.3) per day to a mean of 1.3 g/kg (SD 0.5) per day with a large effect size (d=1.07, 95% CI 0.45 to 1.69). Phosphorus to protein ratio dropped from a mean of 18.4 mg/g protein to 13.5 mg/g protein with a large effect size (d=0.83, 95% CI 0.22 to 1.43). There was no evidence of change in phosphorous intake, self-reported nonadherence, and serum phosphorus.ConclusionsThe findings of this prospective pilot reveal the potential efficacy of a smartphone app as a supportive nutrition education tool for phosphorus management in patients undergoing hemodialysis. This pilot study showed that the KELA.AE app has the potential to improve knowledge and dietary choices. A rigorous randomized controlled trial should be performed to evaluate the efficacy, assessing app use of a long-term intervention.