Amamtaponhcttptnabiltpimttrtdmc

ietPfmdrsopr

TRDwo

©

practice applicationsEDITOR’S OUTLOOK

Eat Smart, Stay Healthy. . .and Read On!ictdtiaecn(varTsde

RRwaldiiirmalqf

p(bcScsoeo

aici

at

BBfc3vtewhdl

tttiv(sc

PTcpsvhv3eertlO

ai

LE

s we embrace this year’s themefor National Nutrition Month, weare especially conscious of the

essages we send our patients, clients,nd students. Eating smart these daysay have completely different connota-

ions depending upon the person beingsked. For some that may mean a high-rotein diet aimed at weight loss, with-ut regard to other possible nutrienteeds. For others that may mean en-ancing fruit and vegetable intake byonsidering alternate ways to includehese foods such as juicing or mixinghem into soups or stews. For dieteticsrofessionals, the criteria relate to es-ablished evidence regarding nutrienteeds for different age, gender, ethnic,nd weight groups, coupled with possi-le therapeutic considerations, geneticnfluences, socio-cultural dynamics, al-ergies, drug-nutrient interactions, andaste preferences, to name a few. As theopular media becomes more and morenundated with conflicting nutrition

essages, it is imperative that die-etics professionals continue to seekrue north. If we keep citing andeciting our “evidence-based nutri-ion” mantra and seeking data-riven answers, we will continue toaintain our credibility in this ever-

hanging arena.One of the ways the Journal is work-

ng to facilitate that transfer of knowl-dge is by inviting experts in the fieldo write Reviews, Commentaries, anderspectives in Practice papers that of-

er an update and state-of-the-art sum-ary of common issues and concerns in

ietetics. This month we are especiallyich in both. We hope you will be in-pired to update your own knowledgen some of these essential nutritionrinciples that are ready for your pe-usal, as illustrated below.

HIS MONTH. . .eviewsr Judith Beto, Contributing Editor, hasritten a comprehensive and timely

verview of Medical Nutrition Therapy c

2004 by the American Dietetic Associat

n chronic renal failure (p 404). Practical,linical tips are provided for clinicians inreating these complex cases with up-to-ate guidelines and strategies for effec-ive treatment and efficient systems tomplement it. Dr Beto’s expertise in thisrea allows her to give her wise and rel-vant insights to this challenging medi-al problem. Likewise, cardiovascularutrition experts Lefevre and colleaguesp 410) provide a comprehensive over-iew of dietary fatty acids, hemostatis,nd cardiovascular risk based on cur-ent findings and updated approaches.ogether the cardiovascular and renalystems represent areas of major andynamic nutrition knowledge of inter-st to the field.

esearchesearch papers likewise present aide array of useful data for cliniciansnd researchers alike. Caan and col-eagues (p 357) provide important dataocumenting the often suspected find-ng that participants randomized to anntervention may underreport energyntake, thereby biasing results. Alsoelevant to the topic of dietary assess-ent methodology is a paper by Wilson

nd Lewis (p 373) addressing the prob-ems of disagreement between food fre-uency questionnaires and multipleood records in children.

Other data regarding children areresented by Gross and colleaguesp 420), who compare meal-skippingehavior among rural versus urbanhildren and its impact. Similarly,netselaar and colleagues (p 424)ompare the impact on serum ferritintatus of reduced intake of lean beefr fish or chicken and how these di-tary interventions might affect riskf anemia in children.Also, metabolic syndrome–like char-

cteristics were documented in hyper-nsulinemic children by Sullivan andolleagues (p 433), further demonstrat-ng the evidence of growing cardiovas-

ular risk among overweight children d

ion Journa

nd the implications for prevention andreatment.

ehavioral Approachesehavioral strategies for increasing

ruit and vegetable intake are dis-ussed by Nanney and colleagues (p52). Rolls and colleagues (p 367) pro-ide needed evidence documentinghe impact of portion size on overallnergy intake. Also, a community-ide campaign for adopting heartealthy messages and its impact areescribed by Fitzgerald and col-eagues (p 429).

Suggestions for improving nutri-ional and physical activity amonghe Hispanic WIC populationhrough positive messages connect-ng health and happiness are pro-ided by Crawford and colleaguesp 387), who used innovative re-earch involving these behavioralonsiderations.

rofessional Developmentopics regarding professional edu-ation and development are alsoresented. The influence of leader-hip and aspects associated with de-eloping leadership skills, whichave relevance to all of us, are re-iewed by Gregoire and Arendt (p95). Preferences in seeking differ-nt types of continuing professionalducation are compared betweenegistered dietitians and dieteticechnicians, registered, by Wil-iams, Keim, and Johnson (p 437).ne size does not fit all.We hope you will find much new

nd relevant reading in this month’sssue.

Best regards.

inda Van Horn, PhD, RDditor-in-Chief

oi: 10.1016/j.jada.2004.01.032

l of THE AMERICAN DIETETIC ASSOCIATION 329