Medical Nutrition Therapy

Niki Hibben

Medical Nutrition Therapy…

Medical Nutrition Therapy is the development Medical Nutrition Therapy is the development and provision of a nutritional treatment or and provision of a nutritional treatment or therapy based on a detailed assessment of a therapy based on a detailed assessment of a person’s medical history, psychosocial history, person’s medical history, psychosocial history, physical examination, and detailed assessment physical examination, and detailed assessment of a person’s medical history. of a person’s medical history.

http://redscrubs.com/2008/03/study-shows-effectiveness-of-medical-nutrition-therapy-in-lowering-hyperlipidemia/

Assessment Components

Assessment of Acute or chronic disease or conditions.

Medication & Drug/Alcohol use should also be determined.

Evaluation of interactions between food & medications.

Review of vitamin, mineral & herbal supplements taken.

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Physical Examination

Assessment of sex, age & anthropometric data

Examining the appearance of Hair, skin & nails

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Psychosocial Assessment

Review of a person’s economic status, ethnic & cultural background, living situation, education level, occupation, mental status & access to adequate food sources to maintain good health.

Number of people in household. Age Mentally challenged disabilities

Diet History

3 methods commonly used3 methods commonly used:: A food frequency questionnaireA food frequency questionnaire 24 hour recall of food eaten 24 hour recall of food eaten 3 - 5 day food diary. 3 - 5 day food diary.

Review of food preparation Review of food preparation Frequency of meals eaten outFrequency of meals eaten out Other information gatheredOther information gathered::

Is the appetite level good or poor & has it changed Is the appetite level good or poor & has it changed recently? recently?

Have there been any taste alterations? If so, why?Have there been any taste alterations? If so, why? Are there any chewing, or swallowing difficulties? Are there any chewing, or swallowing difficulties? Are there any food allergies or intolerances? Are there any food allergies or intolerances?

Specialized nutrition therapies Specialized nutrition therapies including supplementation

with medical foods for those unable to obtain adequate nutrients through food intake only, eternal nutrition delivered via tub feeding into the gastrointestinal tract for those unable to ingest or digest food.

Why the Need For MNT?

Nearly four out of 10 adults in the USA will be obese within five years if people keep packing on pounds at the current rate - putting their health at risk, says one of the top obesity researchers.

Currently, about 31%, or about 59 million people, are obese, which is defined as roughly 30 or more pounds over a healthy weight. Almost 65% are either obese or overweight, 10 to 30 pounds over a healthy weight, which increases their chances of developing diabetes, heart disease, some types of cancer and a host of other health

problems.

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Obese Healthy Weight

Healthy Alternative…

A meta-analysis of 89 studies that looked at a wide variety of weight lossmethods showed that diet alone had the largest statistically significant impacton weight loss and metabolic control.

How MNT Helps Costs…

Patients receiving medical nutritional therapy have better diabetes & lipids control 20% reduction in LDL & 4.6 %

increase in HDL 18% reduction in

cholesterol/HDL ratio

MNT reduces physician visits & hospital admissions for Diabetes & Cardiovascular Disease. MNT reduces drug costs for

treating cholesterol & diabetes.

Lewin Group Study- Journal Of American Dietetic Assoc. Vol 99; Issue 4, pg 426-427

Successfully treated Conditions: Obesity and weight loss Hypertension Gestational diabetes Nutrition in pregnancy Menopausal symptoms Irritable bowel syndrome Gastrointestinal problems Arthritis/joint pain Food allergies Weight maintenance Athletic performance

Dry skin/skin conditions Fatigue High Cholesterol High Triglycerides Insulin resistance Diabetes PCOS Constipation Depression Thyroid disease Wound healing

References

Benedict, Mindy. (2000) Medical Nutrition Therapy. Assessment Components, Retrieved April 3, 2008, from http://www.faqs.org/nutrition/Kwa-Men/Medical-Nutrition-Therapy.html

Riley, Gay. (2008) Medical Nutrition Therapy. Best Defense Against Chronic Illness, Retrieved April 7, 2008, from http://www.netnutritionist.com/mnt.htm

Takacs, C., Haselhorst, L. (2007) Medical Nutrition Therapist, Need for MNT. Retrieved April 6,2008, from http://www.mntdiabetes.com/index.htm