Social media and nutrition (mis)information: navigating the maze.
Social media has become an integral part of modern society, transforming the way individuals access and disseminate information, including nutrition-related content. Social media platforms offer numerous benefits, such as easy access to a wide range of dietary information, peer support and the potential for behavioural change. However, the unrestricted nature of social media also exposes users to a barrage of conflicting, inaccurate or even harmful nutrition information and advice.
Prevalence of anaemia in pregnancy and associated factors in northern Uganda: a cross-sectional study
Anaemia in pregnancy, defined as haemoglobin (Hb) concentration levels of less than 11 g/dl in the first and third trimesters and 10.5 g/dl in the second trimester, remains a public health problem. The global prevalence of anaemia during pregnancy. is around 38%, which translates to 32 million anaemic pregnant women. The burden of anaemia during pregnancy is disproportionately higher in low- to middle-income countries with prevalence estimates of 24% to 56% compared with 22% in high-income countries. A recent systematic review estimates the burden of anaemia during pregnancy in Uganda to range from 23% to 37%.
Early economic benefits of perioperative nasojejunal tube feeding in non-critical care adult surgical patients with gastric feed intolerance.
Patients with gastric feed intolerance but with a functional and accessible distal gastrointestinal tract may benefit from enteral feeding via a nasojejunal tube (NJT). The physiological advantages of enteral feeding versus parenteral nutrition (PN) are well documented. While enteral nutrition (EN) in a critical care setting does not necessarily translate into decreased mortality, an outcome benefit has been described with the use of EN in the perioperative management of elective surgical patients, in particular in patients with gastrointestinal malignancies. In addition, the cost-effectiveness of EN over PN in critical care units has been demonstrated. This is of importance in all healthcare systems, but in particular in resource-constrained health systems often seen in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC).
Effect of group cognitive behavioural therapy on self-efficacy and anthropometric indices among overweight and obese postpartum women
Obesity refers to the excessive or abnormal accumulation of fat in the whole or specific parts of the body. The prevalence of obesity and overweight in the Eastern Mediterranean countries has been reported to be 20.7%, while in the Persian Gulf countries it is around 30–40%.3 Obesity and overweight are also on the rise in Iran, and about 63.9% of Iranian women are prone to obesity and overweight.
Nutrition knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and practices: a comparison of urban and rural adults in the Free State province of South Africa
Food plays an essential role in health and well-being. ‘A healthy diet is health-promoting and disease-preventing. It provides adequacy without excess, of nutrients and health-promoting substances from nutritious foods and avoids the consumption of health-harming substances’, according to the United Nations Food Systems Summit 2021. Therefore, healthy dietary behaviour decreases the chances of developing chronic diseases, while unhealthy eating behaviours have harmful effects and can increase the risk of developing chronic diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Multiple elements affect people’s food choices, such as sensory, environmental, personal, sociocultural and cognitive factors; among cognitive factors, people’s knowledge, attitudes and beliefs have an impact on the food they choose to eat.
The use of social media as a source of nutrition information
Social media (SM) is an interactive mobile platform, where communities and individuals can create, co-create, discuss and share content generated by the users on the platform. SM ‘influencers’ are SM users recognised for the enticing content they display on their profiles, which leads to popularity and subsequent success. SM has become an important part of many people’s lives; in South Africa alone some 40% of people have an SM account and spend an average of 8 hours 23 minutes online per day. Young adults have the highest use of SM, with more than 50% being between the ages of 18 and 29 years.
Perioperative nutritional management of a Whipple’s patient
Pancreatic cancers comprise one of the most difficult cancers to diagnose and one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in the world. A 70-year-old male presenting with a head of pancreas malignant mass was referred for nutritional optimisation as part of the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) programme. He was planned for a pancreatoduodenectomy procedure, also known as a Whipple’s procedure. The patient’s nutritional status was assessed using the Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS-2002) tool and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). He was classified as nutritionally at risk. This case study highlights the importance of perioperative nutrition care, the use of appropriate monitoring of body composition changes, where available, and employment of appropriate pharmacologic strategies. A significant improvement in weight, muscle mass and percentage body fat were observed once nutrition was initiated perioperatively. Despite complications during the patient’s postoperative phase, he still maintained a good nutritional status through adequate nutrition support.