Outpatient Nutrition Clinic Research Articles

Influence Of Metabolic Syndrome On Functionality And Cognition In Elderly People

Background: In the aging process, physiological changes occur that increase the elderly person's potential to develop Metabolic Syndrome (MS) and lead to a decrease in functional and cognitive capacity. Thus, the objective was to associate the presence of Metabolic Syndrome with the functional and cognitive capacity of elderly patients receiving outpatient care. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with elderly individuals receiving care at the nutrition outpatient clinic of a university hospital. The NCEP-ATP III criteria were used to diagnose Metabolic Syndrome. Nutritional status was determined by Body Mass Index (BMI). Functional capacity was assessed through Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) using the Katz Index, and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs) using the Lawton and Brody scale. The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) was used for cognitive assessment. Results: The sample consisted of 144 elderly individuals, mostly women (72.2%). All participants were classified as independent for ADLs and 82.63% for IADLs. The majority did not show cognitive deficits according to the MMSE (86.7%). There was no statistically significant correlation between the variables of Metabolic Syndrome and the MMSE. However, there was significance (p=0.001) between Metabolic Syndrome and nutritional status, as well as between the means of Waist Circumference, HDL-C, and systolic blood pressure. Conclusion: The components of Metabolic Syndrome were relevant to excess weight, but there was no significance for cognitive and functional deficits among the elderly participants in the study

Barriers and facilitators of improved nutritional support for patients newly diagnosed with cancer: a pre-implementation study

BackgroundDisease-related malnutrition affects a significant number of patients with cancer and poses a major social problem worldwide. Despite both global and national guidelines to prevent and treat malnutrition, the prevalence is high, ranging from 20 to 70% in all patients with cancer. This study aimed to explore the current practice of nutritional support for patients with cancer at a large university hospital in Norway and to explore potential barriers and facilitators of the intervention in the Green Approach to Improved Nutritional support for patients with cancer (GAIN), prior to implementation in a clinical setting.MethodsThe study used individual interviews and a focus group discussion to collect data. Study participants included different healthcare professionals and patients with cancer treated at a nutrition outpatient clinic. The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) was used to guide the thematic data analysis.ResultsBarriers connected to the current nutritional support were limited resources and undefined roles concerning responsibility for providing nutritional support among healthcare professionals. Facilitators included a desire for change regarding the current nutritional practice. The GAIN intervention was perceived as feasible for patients and healthcare professionals. Potential barriers included limited knowledge of technology, lack of motivation among patients, and a potential added burden experienced by the participating patients.ConclusionsThe identification of the potential barriers and facilitators of the current nutritional support to patients with cancer will be used to plan the implementation of improved nutritional support in a randomized controlled trial for patients with cancer prior to clinical implementation. The current findings may be of value to others trying to implement either or both nutritional support and digital application tools in a clinical healthcare setting.Trial registrationThe study was registered in the National Institutes of Health Clinical trials 08/09/22. The identification code is NCT05544318.

Body composition and quality of life in women breast cancer survivors

The present study aims to correlate body composition and quality of life of breast cancer survivor women treated at the nutrition outpatient clinic of a public hospital. This is a cross-sectional, descriptive, and correlational study. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to assess sociodemographic conditions, and a 24-hour dietary recall was used to evaluate their quality of life. The quality of life was assessed using the EORTC QLQ-C30 version 3.0. It was found that the majority of women treated in this unit were overweight or obese according to the Body Mass Index: 76%. When relating body composition to quality of life, it was observed that only the presence of the pain symptom was significantly related to the body composition of these women (p=0.047). Most of the patients are in an overweight or obese nutritional state (76%). Among these obese women, there is a higher presence of pain. Pain is a symptom present in these women and shows a significant relationship with body composition, potentially further impacting their lack of physical exercise and worsening their quality of life.

Prognostic Value of Regular Nutritional Treatment in Patients With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.

Malnutrition adversely affects the prognosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of regular nutrition treatment and follow-up in clinical nutrition outpatient clinic (CNOC) on survival in ALS patients. The study included 55 ALS patients who were admitted and followed up in CNOC. Malnutrition was diagnosed using ESPEN criteria and nutrition treatment was planned according to needs of each patient. Nutritional status was followed up by body mass index (BMI), bioelectrical impedence analysis, and serum albumin. During the follow-up, survivors and nonsurvivors were compared according to their nutrition treatment success and changes in the anthropometric and laboratory measurements. Body weight, BMI, and fat free mass were decreased during the follow-up in both survivors and nonsurvivors (P<0.01). The decrease in the serum albumin and BMI were significantly higher in nonsurvivors (P<0.01). Mortality rate was lower in those with higher adherence to nutrition treatment (P<0.01) and patients with lower adherence to nutrition treatment showed more significant decrease in serum albumin levels (P<0.01). A personalized nutrition treatment combined with increased nutritional adherence in CNOC can decrease mortality in ALS patients.

A comparative analysis of outpatient nutrition clinic scheduling outcomes based on in-person and telehealth patient care delivery modalities

During the start of the global COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, patient care modalities changed from in-person to telehealth to comply with physical distancing guidelines. Our study uniquely examines operations data from three distinct periods: before the transition to telehealth, early transition from in-person care to telehealth, and the eventual adoption of telehealth. We present a comparative analysis of outpatient nutrition clinic scheduling outcomes based on care delivery modality. We used descriptive statistics to report means and variance and frequencies. We used inferential statistics to make comparisons: categorical data were compared using chi-square analysis with post-hoc comparisons using a z-test with alpha at 0.05. Means of continuous variables were compared using ANOVA with Tukey HSD post-hoc analysis. We found patient demographics remained widely unchanged across the three distinct periods as the demand for telehealth visits increased, with a notable rise in return patient visits, signaling both adaptability across the patient population and acceptance of the telehealth modality. These analyses along with evidence from the included literature review point to many the benefits of telehealth, thus telehealth as a healthcare delivery modality is here to stay. Our work serves as a foundation for future studies in this field, provides information for decision-makers in telehealth-related strategic planning, and can be utilized in advocacy for the extension of telehealth coverage.

Risk Factors Affecting the Length of Improvement of Nutritional Status in Children with Congenital Heart Disease and Malnutrition

Background: To date, limited data are available regarding the factors that contribute to the delay of improvement in nutritional status as well as data regarding the optimal duration to improve malnutrition among children with congenital heart disease (CHD). Such data are important for pediatricians to fully optimize the nutritional status for those children prior to surgical procedure This study aims to identify those aforementioned factors in hope for better surgical outcome and quality of life of children with CHD.&#x0D; Methods: This is a descriptive analytic study using retrospective cohort design to identify the factors that contribute to the delay of improvement in nutritional status among children with CHD. Variables such as the type of CHD, classification of CHD complexity, pulmonary hypertension, heart failure, corrective surgery, the route of nutrition access, pneumonia, diarrhea, special diets and patients undergoing routine control at the nutrition outpatient clinic were evaluated in this study.&#x0D; Results: A total of 216 children with a diagnosis of CHD and weight-for-length z-score under -1 SD were included in this study. Based on multivariate analysis, there were two significant risk factors, which were the occurrence of diarrhea and consulting at nutrition outpatient clinic. The improvement in nutritional status in children with CHD who did not have diarrhea was faster than those with diarrhea (HR 1.94; 95% CI 1.10 – 3.47) (p value &lt;0.025). Improvement in nutritional status of those children that underwent control at the nutrition outpatient clinic was faster than those who did not (HR 1.87; 95% CI 1.20 – 2.92) (p value &lt;0.006).&#x0D; Conclusion: Risk factors that significantly lengthen the duration of improvement in the nutritional status of CHD patients were the incidence of diarrhea and those who did not undergo control at the nutrition outpatient clinic.

Diet quality and associated factors in adult and elderly patients treated in a nutrition outpatient clinic in the city of Recife, Pernambuco

O consumo alimentar atual, caracterizado pelo aumento da ingestão de alimentos de alta densidade calórica e baixo valor nutricional pode influenciar negativamente no estado nutricional e surgimento de agravos à saúde. Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a qualidade da dieta e fatores associados em pacientes adultos e idosos atendidos num ambulatório de nutrição. Trata-se de um estudo transversal realizado de maio a outubro de 2021 no ambulatório de nutrição do Instituto de Medicina Integral Prof. Fernando Figueira em Recife, Pernambuco. Foram coletadas as informações do perfil sociodemográfico e econômico, estilo de vida, variáveis clínicas e estado nutricional, no momento do atendimento nutricional (primeira consulta e/ou consulta de acompanhamento). A avaliação do consumo alimentar foi realizada por meio da análise do Índice de Qualidade da Dieta Revisado (IQDR). A amostra foi composta por 102 pacientes, e foi evidenciada uma maior frequência de excesso de peso/obesidade e risco cardiovascular muito elevado. Com relação ao IQDR, 72,6% da amostra apresentam dieta saudável. O tempo de acompanhamento foi correlacionado positivamente com a qualidade da dieta (ρ 0,199; p<0,045); e quanto à glicemia de jejum, houve uma correlação negativa com o consumo de cereais totais (ρ -0,229; p<0,050), e positiva com o consumo de leite e derivados (ρ 0,265; p<0,023). No que se refere às variáveis antropométricas, evidenciou-se correlações negativas com o consumo de hortifrútis e cereais integrais. O consumo alimentar é considerado complexo e necessita da avaliação dos fatores que possam interferir no mesmo. O acompanhamento nutricional, a modificação e a melhora da qualidade da alimentação, favorecem à adoção de um estilo de vida mais saudável, relacionando-se com a prevenção e/ou o controle das doenças crônicas não transmissíveis e suas complicações.

Incidence of malnutrition and changes in phosphocalcic metabolism in perioperative liver transplantation patients -a retrospective study in a tertiary children’s hospital in China

BackgroundThe primary aim of the study was to assess the nutritional status of pediatric liver transplant outpatients in nutrition clinic, particularly the nutritional status of their bones. MethodsOne hundred thirty-eight pediatric liver transplant outpatients, who had visited the nutrition clinic in Shanghai Children’s Medical Center between January 2017 and December 2019, were recruited. The bone mineral density (BMD) z-scores were determined by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Nutritional assessment was performed, and their corresponding height-for-age z-scores (HAZs)/weight-for-age z-scores (WAZs)/BMI-for-age z-scores (BMIZs) were obtained.ResultsA total of 138 patients came to our nutrition outpatient clinic, including 68 boys (49.3%) and 70 girls (50.7%). The median age was 0.87y (0.68y, 1.71y). Among these patients, 44 (31.9%) had acute malnutrition with WAZ/BMIZ value -1.14 (-2.38, -0.18), 55 (38.4%) had chronic malnutrition with HAZ value -1.51 (-2.39, -0.38), and 96 (69.6%) had a BMD lower than normal. The BMD z-score was significantly correlated with the WAZ/BMIZ value (Spearman’s correlation coefficient = 0.334, p < 0.001). A total of 37 infants re-visited the nutrition clinic for a follow-up after (147 ± 127) days. The WAZ/BMIZ value of the re-visiting patients and the BMD z-score of the re-visiting patients were significantly improved compared to those of the first-visit patients (p = 0.004 and p = 0.001 respectively).ConclusionsThere were different rates of malnutrition before and after liver transplantation. At the same time, BMD Z-score and serum vitamin D level of patients decreased. There was a significant correlation between BMD z-scores and WAZ/BMIZ values. Proper and professional nutrition guidance significantly improved the WAZ/BMIZ-values and BMD Z-score of liver transplantation patients.

Correlation of frequency of visits to clinical nutrition outpatient clinic with body weight and handgrip strength of head and neck cancer patients undergoing chemoradiation

Background : Head and neck cancer patients who get chemoradiated are at risk of malnutrition and an increase in malnutrition of up to 88% at the end of chemoradiation. Side effects of chemoradiation in the form of xerostomia, mucositis, nausea or vomiting add to the decrease in nutritional status and functional capacity. Monitoring nutritional status, one of which is carried out by assessing body weight (BW) and hand-holding strength (HGS). BW and HGS assessments are a simple and minimally invasive way for people with head and neck cancer (HNC) compared to other examination tools such as body composition measuring devices, Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (DEXA), and require high costs. It is not yet known the frequency of optimal visits of HNC patients to the nutrition poly during the moradiation period. This study aims to see a correlation between the frequency of visits by HNC patients undergoing morbidity to BW and HGS.

Real-life effects of adding weekly subcutaneous semaglutide to insulin for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus

ObjectivesThis work aims to determine the real-life anthropometric and analytical benefits of adding subcutaneous semaglutide to previous insulin treatment in patients with type 2 diabetes. MethodsThis is a descriptive, retrospective, open-label study describing the clinical and anthropometric characteristics of 117 patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes followed-up on in the Endocrinology and Nutrition outpatient clinic of the Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias for 53 weeks after starting treatment with subcutaneous semaglutide (October–December 2019). All patients were on previous insulin treatment with or without oral antidiabetics. ResultsOf the 117 initial patients, 17 did not complete the study due to adverse effects (nausea, vomiting), the physician’s decision, or loss to follow-up. Twelve months (week 53) after starting semaglutide, there was a decrease in HbA1c of 0.74% (95% CI 0.59–1.14, p < 0.05) as well as 3.61 kg of weight loss (95% CI 2.30–4.92, p < 0.05) and a decline in total insulin of 15.88 IU (95% CI 10.98–20.74, p < 0.05) from baseline figures. In patients without prior GLP-1 receptor analogs (GLP-1ra), the effect in terms of a reduction in HbA1c, weight, and the total insulin dose was statistically significant. However, in patients pre-treated with GLP-1ra only had improvements in terms of weight loss. No serious adverse events were observed. ConclusionsThe addition of subcutaneous semaglutide to prior insulin treatment with or without oral antidiabetics safely led to a decrease in HbA1c, weight, and the insulin dose. This effect is greater in GLP-1ra naive patients.

Efectos en vida real de la adición de semaglutida subcutánea semanal al tratamiento con insulina en diabetes mellitus tipo 2

ObjectivesThis work aims to determine the real-life anthropometric and analytical benefits of adding subcutaneous semaglutide to previous insulin treatment in patients with type 2 diabetes. MethodsThis is a descriptive, retrospective, open-label study describing the clinical and anthropometric characteristics of 117 patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes followed-up on in the Endocrinology and Nutrition outpatient clinic of the Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias for 53 weeks after starting treatment with subcutaneous semaglutide (October-December 2019). All patients were on previous insulin treatment with or without oral antidiabetics. ResultsOf the 117 initial patients, 17 did not complete the study due to adverse effects (nausea, vomiting), the physician's decision, or loss to follow-up.Twelve months (week 53) after starting semaglutide, there was a decrease in HbA1c of 0.74% (95% CI 0.59-1.14, p<0.05) as well as 3.61kg of weight loss (95% CI 2.30-4.92, p<0.05) and a decline in total insulin of 15.88 IU (95% CI 10.98-20.74, p<0.05) from baseline figures. In patients without prior GLP-1 receptor analogs (GLP-1ra), the effect in terms of a reduction in HbA1c, weight, and the total insulin dose was statistically significant. However, in patients pre-treated with GLP-1ra only had improvements in terms of weight loss. No serious adverse events were observed. ConclusionsThe addition of subcutaneous semaglutide to prior insulin treatment with or without oral antidiabetics safely led to a decrease in HbA1c, weight, and the insulin dose. This effect is greater in GLP-1ra naive patients.

The relationship between coronavirus anxiety level and emotional eating in individuals with metabolic syndrome

ABSTRACT This study used a descriptive, cross-sectional and relational screening model. The full sampling method was used in this study. The study was completed with 105 individuals with MetS attending the outpatient nutrition clinic and 109 non-MetS individuals without MetS diagnosis, who also attended the outpatient nutrition clinic. The data included anthropometric measurements, biochemical findings, blood pressure, a survey form, the Coronavirus Anxiety Scale (CAS), and the Emotional Eating Scale (EES). The coronavirus anxiety scale scores of individuals with MetS were found to be statistically significantly higher than those of the non-MetS group (p <0.05). The difference in the emotional eating scale scores between the MetS and non-MetS groups was not significant (p <0.05). Individuals with MetS had higher coronavirus anxiety levels than those without MetS; however, there was no difference between participants with and without MetS in terms of emotional eating behavior.

Risk factors for insufficient weight and height gain in children with congenital heart disease followed up at a nutrition outpatient clinic.

Objective:To describe weight and height evolution and to identify risk factors for insufficient anthropometric growth in children with congenital heart disease.Methods:Historical cohort study including 131 children with congenital heart disease, followed up at a nutrition outpatient clinic. The anthropometric indices over time (initial score, after 12 and 24 months of follow-up) were analyzed using generalized estimating equations. The outcome was ‘insufficient weight-height gain’, defined as an increase of ≤0.5 in the z-score of weight-for-age (W/A), height-for-age (H/A) or body mass index-for-age (BMI/A) after 12 months of follow-up. Multiple logistic regression models were applied to identify risk and confounding factors.Results:The z-scores of W/A (p<0.001) and BMI/A (p<0.001) improved after 12 months, as well as the three indexes after 24 months (p<0.001). At the end of this period, 55.7% of the patients did not achieve an increase of >0.5 in the Z score of W/A; 77.1%, of H/A; and 45.8%, of BMI/A. A follow-up of less than five appointments was associated with insufficient gain in W/A (OR 7.78; 95%CI 3.04–19.88), H/A (OR 10.79; 95%CI 2.22–52.45) and BMI/A (OR 2.54; 95%CI 1.12–5.75). Not having undergone cardiac surgery and being aged ≥12 months were factors associated with insufficient W/A gain (OR 3.95; 95%CI 1.38–11.29/OR 3.60; 95%CI 1.33–9.72) and BMI/A (OR 2.81; 95%CI 1.08–7.28/OR 3.39; 95%CI 1.34–8.56). Low income was associated with insufficient H/A gain (OR 4.11; 95%CI 1.25–13.46).Conclusions:Being aged less than or 12 months, the lowest number of appointments, absence of surgical treatment and low family income were risk factors for insufficient weight and height gain in children with congenital heart disease.

Obesity-Induced Insulin Resistance Is Mediated by High Uric Acid in Obese Children and Adolescents.

ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate whether serum uric acid (SUA) plays a mediating role in the development of insulin resistance (IR) in obese children and adolescents.MethodsA total of 369 participants aged 4-17 years with obesity who attended the Nutrition Outpatient Clinic for Obesity at Xinhua Hospital from January 2012 to January 2019 were recruited for this retrospective study. We classified participants into two groups on the basis of HOMA-IR values: the low HOMA-IR group (< 3.16) (n = 222) and the high HOMA-IR group (≥ 3.16) (n = 147).ResultsThe univariate analysis found that the high HOMA-IR group had higher BMI, SUA, and fasting insulin (FINS) (P < 0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis and mediating effect analysis indicated that body mass index (BMI) could directly regulate FINS and HOMA-IR (both P < 0.05). The results from the mediating effect analysis found that UA partially played an indirect role in the link between BMI, FINS and HOMA-IR (both P < 0.05) but had no effect on fasting blood glucose (P > 0.05).ConclusionsSUA should be investigated in obesity and plays a partial mediating role in insulin resistance induced by obesity in obese children and adolescents.

Carbohydrate intake correlation with body fat percentage of physically active individuals

Rationale: Physically active people often use diets with low carbohydrate content in order to reduce adiposity and body weight. The aim of this study was analyze the correlation between carbohydrate consumption and body fat percentage in physically active individuals assisted by an outpatient nutrition clinic at Universidade Federal do Maranhão (UFMA), Brazil.

Characteristics of patients who are referred for dysphagia to an outpatient nutrition clinic

Rationale: The association between dysphagia and malnutrition is known, but patients continue to come to outpatient nutrition consultations for dysphagia assessment in the event of coughing with water intake, but without suspicion of risk of malnutrition. The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of malnutrition among patients referred for dysphagia and its effect on mobi-mortality.

Body weight perception, knowledge, practices and associated factors regarding weight reduction: A cross sectional study of treatment seeking obese young adults in Sri Lanka

Background: Obesity and its’ comorbidities in young adults are emerging health concerns. Obesity is a well-known risk factor for developing cardiovascular diseases, type -2 diabetes, carcinomas, gallbladder disease, sleep apnea, osteoarthritis, and gynecological complications. Young adulthood is considered the best time period to introduce weight control interventions as the established lifestyle behaviors may persist throughout life.&#x0D; Aims and Objectives: The present study assessed self-perception of body weight, knowledge and practices on obesity and weight reduction and their associated factors in a sample of treatment seeking obese young adults.&#x0D; Materials and Methods: Two-hundred and sixty-one obese (BMI ≥ 25 kg m-2) young (18-35 years) adults attending an out-patient nutrition clinic of a teaching hospital in Sri Lanka were studied. An interviewer administered questionnaire was used to collect demographic data and information on body weight perception and, knowledge and practices on obesity and weight reduction. Weight, height and waist circumference were measured.&#x0D; Results: The mean (±SD) BMI of the participants was 29.0 (±3.6) kg m-2. Only 16.1% precisely perceived themselves as ‘obese’ and increased BMI was only significant predictor of accurate body weight perception (OR=1.23; 95% CI=1.07-1.47; p=0.003). Only 49.0% reported obesity as a disease and 46.0 % and 27.2% that it predisposes to stroke and carcinoma respectively. Although 86.2% have attempted weight reduction, only 33.8% sought professional advice. Diet control was the most common weight reduction strategy (73.1%) and among them 33.3% combined with exercises. One fourth (n=56) relied on green tea for weight reduction and meal skipping was reported in 52.9%.&#x0D; Conclusion: Significant body weight misperception was reported in lower BMI categories. The overall knowledge regarding obesity and weight reduction was satisfactory though not optimum. Diet control with or without physical exercises was the most popular method of weight reduction.

Agreement between the GLIM criteria and PG-SGA in a mixed patient population at a nutrition outpatient clinic

The Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) criteria is a step-wise process including a screening tool of choice for risk assessment of malnutrition before assessment of diagnosis and grading of malnutrition severity. The agreement between GLIM and the established malnutrition assessment method Patient Generated-Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA) is uncertain. Also, several aspects of GLIM remain to be clearly defined. In this study, we compared diagnosis of malnutrition with the GLIM criteria to the PG-SGA, and explored the differences between the methods. This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Nutrition Outpatient Clinic at Oslo University Hospital, Norway. Patients were included from September-December 2019. Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS-2002) was used as the screening tool in the GLIM process before diagnosing and grading the severity of malnutrition. Results are presented with and without the initial risk screening. The diagnostic results from the GLIM process were compared to the malnutrition diagnosis using the PG-SGA. In total, 144 patients, median age 58 years, participated in the study. The full GLIM process identified 36% of the patients as malnourished, while the PG-SGA identified 69% of the patients as malnourished. Comparison of GLIM and PG-SGA showed fair agreement, however the agreement was better when the NRS-2002 screening was excluded. Considering the PG-SGA a gold standard, GLIM had a sensitivity of 51% and a specificity of 98%. The introduction of new cut-off values for fat-free mass did not considerably alter the diagnosis of malnutrition within GLIM. The GLIM criteria showed only fair agreement with the PG-SGA, however the agreement was better when the initial NRS-2002 screening was excluded. A joint consensus on how to perform the GLIM process is needed for comparisons of future studies, and before routine use in clinical practice.

Annelerin Çocuklarının Sağlıklı Beslenme Alışkanlıkları Edinmesi Konusundaki Farkındalıklarının Değerlendirilmesi

Objective: Nutrition is important not only in terms of ideal growth of the baby, but also in terms of being the determinant of the healthiness during infancy, childhood, and adulthood and adopting healthy eating habits that continue lifetime. The aim of this study is to evaluate the level of knowledge and misapplications of mothers about babies' feeding habits. &#x0D; Materials and Metods: This was planned as an analytical cross-sectional study and was applied to the mothers of the patients who admitted to Inonu University Faculty of Medicine Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition outpatient clinic, between January-March 2020, for any reason. A value of p

USEFULNESS OF INDIRECT CALORIMETRY IN BODY-BUILDER AND NON-BODY-BUILDER ATHLETES FOLLOW-UP

Natural body-building requires a constant control of body composition/regulation of metabolism through diet. Nutritional status (NS) assessment in these athletes is scarce in literature (1). Bio-impedance (BI) is the gold standard for NS and indirect calorimetry is those for energy expenditure vs. caloric intake ratio (ECR) assessment in humans (2). Thus, we aimed to assess NS and ECR of body-builder (BB) and non-body-builder athletes vs. healthy controls, matched for sex and age. we consecutively enrolled BB and non-body-builder athletes (namely, non-professional runners (NR)) vs. healthy controls (HV), matched by sex and age. The subjects had a complete NS assessment (BI end ECR) at the outpatient Nutrition clinic of the Internal Medicine Unit of San Benedetto del Tronto General Hospital. We consecutively enrolled 30 athletes (12 BB (8 females, mean age 29.2±2.5 years, BMI 22.2±0.7 Kg/m2), 18 NR (12 females, mean age 35.5±1.7 years, BMI 24.3±0.7 Kg/m2), and 16 HV (11 females, mean age 36.7±1.9 years, BMI 23.4±0.8 Kg/m2). BB athletes and HV showed a significant difference in BI (phase angle: 5.1 vs. 6.8°, p<0.05), explained by the significantly lower content of extracellular water (p<0.05); ECR showed a similar difference (1534±28 vs. 1003±18 kcal, p<0.05). For the first time, unexpectedly, this prospective pilot single-center study showed a significant difference of NS between BB vs. HV: BI difference was not explained by a bigger amount of lean mass but by lower extracellular water content of BB; ECR difference between BB and HV was explained by a lower basal metabolism.