Academy Seeking Members for Evidence Analysis Projects

The Academy is seeking work group members for
Several Upcoming Evidence Analysis Projects:

 COPD Guideline Update
GDM Guideline Update
HF Guideline Update
HTN Update
Nutrition Supplementation
Obesity Reproduction and Pregnancy
Umami and Healthy Eating
Sodium Update Project

The main focus of Evidence Analysis Projects will be to answer pertinent questions related to the topic using the Academy’s systematic evidence analysis process.

Some of the workgroup responsibilities are below:

·Develop and prioritize questions for evidence analysis on specific topics

·Review and approve evidence-based summaries and conclusion statements

·Rate conclusions based on an evidence grading scale

·Review, finalize and approve the evidence-based information for publication on the Evidence Analysis Library www.adaevidencelibrary.com

·Participate in teleconferences (about one or two per month during active phases of the project) and respond to emails.

This is an excellent opportunity for professional growth and a way to benefit the dietetics profession. 

If you are interested in any of the above projects please contact Lisa Moloney at lmoloney@eatright.org for additional information.  Please state which project you are interested in and if possible attach your CV.  Please note, interested candidates will be sent a conflict of disclosure to be signed and completed.  

Unwashed Fruits and Vegetables can Host Harmful Pathogens

For Release by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

Unwashed Fruits and Vegetables can Host Harmful Pathogens:

Tips to keep fruits and vegetables safe, avoid food poisoning

CHICAGO - Summer offers plenty of tasty fresh fruits and vegetables, but whether it comes from the local farmer’s market, grocer or even your own garden, produce may become contaminated with harmful pathogens that can cause food poisoning. As part of the Home Food Safety program, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and ConAgra Foods reminds Americans to safely enjoy produce with tips for buying, storing and preparing raw produce.

“One in six Americans gets sick every year from foodborne pathogens that you cannot see, smell or taste but are everywhere,” says registered dietitian and Academy spokesperson Sarah Krieger. “Eating any contaminated product - even produce labeled as organic or locally grown - can lead to food poisoning or even death.”

Each year, 3,000 Americans die from food poisoning. In 2011, listeria-contaminated produce caused the deadliest foodborne illness outbreak in nearly 90 years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Harmful foodborne pathogens like E. Coli, salmonella, listeria and norovirus may contaminate fruits and vegetables from the soil or water or during harvesting.

“Fruits and vegetables are an important part of a healthy eating plan, and should fill half of your plate, but just like any food product, extra precautions should be taken to reduce the risk of food poisoning,” Krieger says.

“Avoid produce with mold, bruises or cuts as these are great places for bacteria to hide and spread rapidly to other places of the fruit. Buy loose produce rather than pre-packaged and if you do buy pre-packaged, it doesn’t hurt to wash bagged-lettuce or pre-washed carrots even if the bag claims they are ready to eat.”

According to Krieger, it is imperative to wash fruits and vegetables with cool tap water before eating or serving; dry with a clean cloth or paper towel to eliminate bacteria; and use a knife to cut away any damaged or bruised areas. It is also important to wash produce before peeling to make sure dirt and bacteria aren’t transferred from the knife to your fruits or vegetables.

“Cross-contamination can lead to food poisoning when juices from raw foods like meat, poultry or chicken come in contact with ready-to-eat foods like raw produce,” Krieger says. “Using two cutting boards and a color-code system can help: one color cutting board for raw meats; and the other for your fruits and vegetables.”

Just like any prepared dish, cooked fruits and vegetables can perish and lead to food poisoning upon consuming. Krieger advises discarding cooked vegetables after three to four days and to label leftovers with an “eat-by” date to know when food is no longer safe to eat.

Download the Summer Produce Safety tip sheet, and visit www.homefoodsafety.org for additional safety tips on how to properly store your produce and reduce your risk of food poisoning.

Quick-Fix Diets Aren't the Answer for Lifelong Health

Quick-Fix Diets Aren't the Answer for Lifelong Health

Quick-fix diets are routinely promoted as a magic bullet for weight loss. With the recent popularity of the K-E Diet or “feeding tube” diet, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics reminds everyone that the best path to reaching and maintaining a healthy weight is a lifelong combination of eating smarter and moving more...and enlisting the help of a registered dietitian.

What Is the K-E Diet?
The so-called Ketogenic Nutrition or K-E Diet was developed to induce rapid weight loss by providing a specialized high-fat, high-protein, very low-carbohydrate (or ketogenic) diet through nasogastric feeding (insertion of a tube through the nose) for a period of 10 days. The formula is provided 24 hours a day using a pump.

Enteral nutrition – or feeding by tube – is a type of life-sustaining medical nutrition therapy that is intended to promote and restore the health of people who cannot consume food orally. There are valid medical reasons for employing such diets, including drug-resistant epilepsy.

However, the K-E Diet contains potential risks to both short-term and long-term health, including kidney damage and cholelithiasis (gallstones) from rapid weight loss. In addition, since the plan does not address the psychological and emotional reasons that cause many people to overeat, the lost weight is often regained once the diet is stopped.

No Endorsement by Academy
A website containing information on using the K-E Diet for quick weight loss lists several state affiliates of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics as resources for learning about diets and eating habits. While the Academy and its affiliate organizations are reliable resources for information on eating right and staying healthy, the Academy does not in any way endorse the K-E Diet, or any other specific weight-loss plan.

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics does support the use of enteral feedings solely as a method of nourishing individuals who are unable to eat by mouth.

The Academy’s Official Position on Weight Management
There is no “magic bullet” for safe and healthful weight management. Successful weight management is a lifelong process. It means adopting a lifestyle that includes a healthful eating plan coupled with regular physical activity. Weight loss in the range of one to two pounds per week is considered safe, and allows the individual to learn to manage food and drink intake while still getting the important nutrients his or her body needs.

The Academy’s position paper on weight management can be found at http://www.eatright.org/About/Content.aspx?id=8382, and a podcast discussing the Academy’s position is at http://www.eatright.org/Podcast/default.aspx?id=7657.

Contact a Registered Dietitian
The Academy encourages anyone who wants to lose and maintain a healthy weight to contact a registered dietitian in his or her area. An RD can create a tailored and sustainable approach to healthful eating and weight loss that is based on your personal lifestyle and preferences.

Through their education, knowledge and experience, RDs specialize in translating nutrition science into practical advice. Visit the Academy’s website at www.eatright.org to locate a registered dietitian near you.

Academy Poised to Implement Goals of Institute of Medicine’s Report on Obesity

FOR RELEASE MAY 10, 2012

ACADEMY OF NUTRITION AND DIETETICS
REMAINS POISED TO IMPLEMENT GOALS OF INSTITUTE OF MEDICINE’S REPORT ON OBESITY

CHICAGO – Echoing a new report by the Institute of Medicine that progress in the United States in addressing the obesity epidemic has been too slow, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (formerly the American Dietetic Association) and its members, some of whom served on the IOM committee, are leading community nutrition interventions across the country that are showing a tremendous impact.

The IOM report and its goals agree with several positions and efforts undertaken by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, specifically:

Make physical activity an integral and routine part of life

“Through our KidsEat Right and Energy Balance 4 Kids programs and partnerships with Fuel Up to Play 60 and the National Physical Activity Plan campaigns, the Academy is deeply involved at the community level, educating consumers on the importance of physical activity and how it, along with healthful eating, is the key to the prevention and management of diseases like obesity and diabetes,” said registered dietitian and Academy President Sylvia Escott-Stump.

Create food and beverage environments that ensure that healthy food and beverage options are the routine, easy choice

It is the position of the Academy that access to adequate amounts of safe, nutritious and culturally appropriate food at all times is a fundamental human right. Hunger continues to be a worldwide problem of staggering proportions. The Academy supports programs and encourages practices that combat hunger and malnutrition, produce food security, promote self-sufficiency and are environmentally and economically sustainable.

“Dietetics professionals are uniquely qualified to develop relationships with elected officials and their staff members and to educate voters about the nutritional impact of policies and programs. There is an urgent need for nutrition professionals to become actively involved in seeing that the food assistance programs that support sustainable development are protected, improved and expanded,” Escott-Stump said.

Transform messages about physical activity and nutrition

It is the position of the Academy that the total diet or overall pattern of food eaten is the most important focus of a healthful eating style. All foods can fit within this pattern, if consumed in moderation with appropriate portion size and combined with regular physical activity. The Academy strives to communicate healthful eating messages to the public that emphasize a balance of foods, rather than any one food or meal.

Expand the roles of health care providers, insurers, and employers

For nearly two years, the Academy and its members have been building relationships and implementing tactics surrounding expansion of nutrition services under Medicare. The Academy worked with several members of Congress during the drafting of the Affordable Care Act to propose language that supported the role of the registered dietitian, and continues to hold dialogue with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services regarding the expansion of coverage for medical nutrition therapy.

Make schools a national focal point

School nutrition is a top priority for the Academy. According to its Comprehensive School Nutrition Services position, one of three official positions on the topic of school and children’s nutrition:

…comprehensive, integrated nutrition services in schools, kindergarten through grade 12, are an essential component of coordinated school health programs and will improve the nutritional status, health, and academic performance of our nation’s children…by encouraging multidisciplinary wellness teams, composed of school and community members, to work together in identifying local school needs, developing feasible strategies to address priority areas, and integrating comprehensive nutrition services with a coordinated school health program.

"More than 1,200 Academy members belong to our School Nutrition Services practice group," Escott-Stump said. "These dedicated members are employed in child nutrition programs at the local, state and national levels; as researchers and educators; as corporate dietitians supplying products and services to school foodservice operations; as consultants in school nutrition and wellness; and in other fields where they help create healthier school environments."

Registered dietitians are uniquely qualified to improve the health of the public through effective weight management interventions and strategic partnerships. “For individuals and families, we need to get back to the basics of a healthy weight – following the healthful eating recommendations of the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans and Choose MyPlate, and engaging in regular physical activity,” Escott-Stump said.

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ website contains a wealth of information on healthful eating for children, teens, men, women (including during pregnancy) and older adults. Individuals can also usethe Academy’s site to locate a registered dietitian in their area.

Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Encourages all Women to Prioritize Health

FOR RELEASE MAY 3, 2012

Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Encourages
All Women to Prioritize Health during
National Women’s Health Week and Beyond

CHICAGO – Women often serve as caregivers for their family, sometimes making their own health a secondary issue. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics reminds women of all ages to make health their top priority for both themselves and those they love through regular checkups, preventive screenings and eating right.

As part of National Women’s Health Week (May 13-19), women are reminded during National Women’s Checkup Day (May 14) to schedule regular checkups, which are vital to the early detection of heart disease, diabetes, cancer and other diseases.

“Heart disease is the leading cause of death for American women, killing one in four women,” said registered dietitian and Academy spokesperson Marisa Moore. “The good news is that you can reduce your chances of developing heart disease by knowing your risk and through regular screenings and everyday care.”

Heart disease can begin at any age, but certain factors increase your risk, such as older age, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, overweight, physical inactivity and having a family history of heart disease.

“While certain factors cannot be changed, a healthful diet and regular physical activity can help reverse the risk of developing heart disease, and other conditions like diabetes and cancer,” Moore said. “Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, reducing sodium, solid fats and added sugars, and getting at least 30 minutes of physical activity every day are some simple steps you can take towards lowering your risk for these diseases.

“Adding a registered dietitian to your health-care team is also a great way to ensure your eating plan is right for you,” Moore said. “Registered dietitians have the training and expertise to develop eating plans that are specific to your body’s needs.”

Even if you do not have any obvious risk factors for heart disease, it is important to regularly see your health-care provider for preventative screening.

Learn more about women’shealth and heart health by visiting www.EatRight.org, and also find reviews by registered dietitians of popular weight and diabetes management apps for smart phones.

Visit the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics at www.eatright.org  to locate a registered dietitian in your area.

4th Annual Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Photo Contest

The 4th Annual Journal Photo Contest is now open!
The Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
is accepting original submissions from Academy members.
View contest details at http://bit.ly/ImXYP5

Women who sit 4 to 7 hours per day, are more likely to show signs of type 2 diabetes

For Release May 1, 2012

Sitting at work all day increases diabetes risk in women: Academy of nutrition and dietetics offers tips to reduce your risk.

CHICAGO – A new study finds women who spend four to seven hours a day sitting are more likely to show early signs of type 2 diabetes, but researchers have found no such link in men. During National Women’s Health Week and beyond, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics encourages all women to take steps to increase physical activity and decrease their risk of developing diabetes.

“The reality for many Americans is that we work nine-to-five jobs and are sedentary most of the work day, increasing our risk for developing type 2 diabetes,” said registered dietitian and Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Spokesperson Jessica Crandall. “The good news is that type 2 diabetes is preventable through maintaining a healthy weight and engaging in physical activity throughout the day, not just after you get home from work.”

The risk is still significant for women even if they engage in moderate or vigorous physical activity after a sedentary day at the office, according to the study published in the American Journal of Preventative Medicine.

“If you have a desk job, fight the urge to be a desk potato and take frequent breaks throughout the day—go for a walk or go to the gym during lunch, and instead of picking up the phone to call a coworker during the day, walk to his or her office to talk,” Crandall said.

Crandall also recommends taking short stress breaks throughout the day. “During the day, take a brisk ten-minute walk, stretch your muscles and stand while you’re on the phone instead of sitting,” she said. “Also, keep the candy bowl off your desk to avoid the urge to nibble for stress relief.”

According to Crandall, it is also important to know if you are at an increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Risk factors include obesity, physical inactivity, older age, family history of diabetes, history of gestational diabetes or race/ethnicity.

The prevalence of diabetes is at least two to four times higher among African American, Hispanic/Latino, American Indian, and Asian/Pacific Islander women than among white women. Because of the increasing lifespan of women and the rapid growth of minority populations, the number of women in the United States at high risk for diabetes and its complications is increasing.

“If you’re at risk for developing diabetes, work with a registered dietitian to develop an eating plan tailored for your lifestyle,” Crandall said.

“When you take steps to prevent diabetes, you will also lower your risk for possible complications of diabetes such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, blindness, nerve damage and other health problems—that’s a big reward for you and your family and friends,” Crandall said. “A registered dietitian is the one of your best teammates when making these lifestyle changes.”

In commemoration of National Women’s Health Week, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics has developed a library of information for women interested in eating right. To learn more, visit www.eatright.org/womenshealth.

For media interviews with Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Spokespeople, journalists can contact Ryan O’Malley at 312/899-4769 or email media@eatright.org.
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The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (formerly the American Dietetic Association) is the world’s largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. The Academy is committed to improving the nation’s health and advancing the profession of dietetics through research, education and advocacy. Visit the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics at www.eatright.org.