From the Guidelines
When checking nutrition, I recommend ordering a complete nutritional history, including a measured 3-day diet record or a 24-hour diet recall, to assess current intake and identify potential nutritional deficiencies or imbalances. This approach is supported by the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine study 1, which emphasizes the importance of a thorough nutritional assessment in infants with chronic lung disease.
Key Components of Nutritional Assessment
- A complete nutritional history should include questions about types of early and later feedings, current diet, nutritional supplements, vitamin and mineral supplements, food allergies or intolerance, appetite, chewing and swallowing problems, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, gagging, gastroesophageal reflux, and behavior related to eating.
- Anthropometric measurements, such as length, weight, and head circumference, should be routinely monitored and compared to gestational age-adjusted normative data.
- Laboratory tests, including albumin and prealbumin, may be useful in assessing energy and protein intake, but their utility is not well established 1.
Prioritizing Nutritional Assessment
In clinical practice, prioritizing a comprehensive nutritional assessment is crucial to identify potential nutritional deficiencies or imbalances, particularly in vulnerable populations such as infants with chronic lung disease. By ordering a complete nutritional history and relevant laboratory tests, healthcare providers can make informed decisions about nutritional interventions and monitor progress over time.
From the Research
Nutrition and Diet
- When checking nutrition, individuals often look for diets that are rich in health-promoting foods and limited in unhealthier options, such as the Mediterranean diet or the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet 2.
- The Mediterranean diet, in particular, has been associated with a wide range of benefits for health, including reduction in the incidence of cardiovascular outcomes, lower rates of incident diabetes, and better glycaemic control in diabetic patients 3.
- Key components of the Mediterranean diet include high consumption of plant-based foods, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, seeds, and nuts, and lower consumption of animal-based foods, particularly fatty and processed meats 2, 3.
Specific Nutrients and Foods
- Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish and other foods, have been shown to have protective effects on cardiovascular health and may also play a role in preventing age-related cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease 4, 5.
- Olive oil, which is rich in oleic acid and polyphenols, is also a key component of the Mediterranean diet and has been shown to have vasculo-protective effects 6.
- Other foods that are high in polyphenols, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, may also have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects that can help prevent chronic diseases 5.
Dietary Patterns and Health Outcomes
- Adherence to the Mediterranean diet has been shown to reduce the risk of non-communicable diseases, including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer 2, 3.
- The Mediterranean diet may also have a positive impact on cognitive function and may help prevent age-related cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease 3, 5.
- Overall, the evidence suggests that a diet that is rich in whole, plant-based foods and limited in processed and animal-based foods can have numerous health benefits and may help prevent chronic diseases 2, 3, 4, 6, 5.