Active clinical trials for "Malnutrition"

The objective of this study was to assess the effect of oral nutritional supplementation (ONS) combined with bioelectrical vector analysis (BIVA) on the nutritional and hydration status and the quality of life (QoL) in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Design and Methods: Thirty-two chronic HD patients were included in a 6-month randomized pilot study. Patients in SUPL group received a simultaneous intervention consisting of a personalized diet, 245 mL/d ONS and dry weight adjustment through BIVA. Patients in CON group received a personalized diet and dry weight adjustment by BIVA. Anthropometrical, biochemical, dietary, QoL, handgrip strength (HGS) and bioimpedance measurements were performed. Malnutrition Inflammation Score (MIS) was applied.

Background: Adolescence is an important period for brain development as a result of increased synaptic plasticity. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) are essential nutrients for brain development and protection against oxidative stress. Walnuts have the highest n-3 PUFA concentrations of all edible plants. Objective: The investigators hypothesize that walnut intake will increase n-3 PUFA availability in the body to a level that enhances the development of the brain during adolescence. The technicians will conduct a long-term (6 months) population-based randomized controlled trial in teenagers (n=400 in each arm), and determine the effectiveness of the intervention (30 g of walnut kernels per day, ~1.5g of n-3 PUFA) in enhancing brain development. Methods: Fieldwork team will contact teenagers and families in collaboration with 20 high schools. Families will receive a basic guide on following a healthy diet in order to ensure implementation and adherence. Brain development outcomes will be measured at baseline and after the intervention. The use of computerized neuropsychological tests will provide the precision required to detect even subtle changes in brain development resulting from the nutritional intervention. Behavioral (socio-emotional) development will be assessed in order to cover a wider picture of brain development. Blood samples will be collected to measure n-3 PUFA levels before and after the intervention in a randomized subsample from both groups (control/ intervention). Linear regression models adjusted for baseline neuropsychological scores will be used to analyze the intervention effect. Implications: The outcomes of this Project are expected to be a greater understanding of the role of n-3 PUFA intake (walnut) in brain development. A major goal in public health research is to develop cost-effective health recommendations to teenagers.

The novelty with the OPEN study is to evaluate the effects of the simple sit-to-stand exercise during routine care, in combination with an oral protein-rich supplement, on functional status and independence in frail older persons. In this study we will also explore the experiences among older persons in the intervention group as wells as among staff of promoting the sit-to-stand exercise and nutritional supplement to gain knowledge for implementation as a daily routine in nursing homes across Sweden. Hypothesis The main hypothesis of the OPEN study is that physical exercise performed as a daily routine along with an oral protein-rich supplement, will result in improved functional status and independence in everyday life activities and thereby enhance health-related quality of life in older persons living in nursing homes. The primary outcome measure for functional status will be the number of sit-to-stands that the participant is able to complete in 30 seconds. Specific aims Aim I: To study the effects of the sit-to-stand exercise combined with an oral protein-rich supplement on functional and nutritional status, and health-related quality of life, and the frequency and incidence of falls, pressure ulcers and incontinence in older persons living in nursing homes. Furthermore, the cost effectiveness of the combination of the sit to stand exercise and oral protein-rich supplement vs. the control group will also be examined. Aim II: To describe the older persons' perceptions of daily being offered to conduct the sit-to-stand exercise and to drink the nutritional supplement. Aim III: To describe staff's perceptions of supporting the sit-to-stand exercise and the nutritional supplement with older persons living in nursing homes.

Widespread food insecurity and malnutrition are largely the main impairing factors for human capital development in Pakistan. Rates of chronic malnutrition are very high, and acute malnutrition is critical: 44% of children under five are stunted and nationwide global acute malnutrition (GAM) rates amongst children under five exceed the WHO critical threshold of 15%. Nutritional status trends also show a deteriorating situation since 1994, when stunting rates were at 36%. This study evaluates the effectiveness of food based interventions to prevent stunting among children under-five years with focus on window of opportunity (1000 days from conception to 2 years) for addressing stunting. Pregnant women, lactating mothers and children 6-59 months will receive supplements on monthly basis in intervention areas, while participants in control areas will receive routine public health services available in the study area.

The investigators are seeking to overcome the dual challenges of under-nutrition and diarrhea using an existing safe water supply platform to deliver nutrition information to targeted groups in Western Kenya. Using a randomized evaluation, investigators will determine the impact on nutrition status and practices of delivering nutrition information. The evaluation results will enable Evidence Action to make strategic decisions regarding the potential scale-up of the combined program across Kenya.

Animal source foods (ASF), such as meat and eggs, are rich in nutrients critical for growth and development. Yet, for poor children in developing countries, ASF consumption is limited by cost, inadequate caregiver knowledge, and lack of local production and physical availability. The impact of HH- and village-level livestock interventions on household dietary diversity and nutritional status in resource-poor communities is not well established. The objective of this study is to test the effectiveness of local egg production intervention on maternal and child diets and child nutrition status. This project takes place in the Luangwa Valley, Zambia in partnership with a local non-governmental organization, COMACO. Twenty communities will be assigned to the intervention, and 20 matched communities will be selected as controls. In each intervention community, an egg production facility will be built, owned, and operated by trained COMACO farmers. Households (HHs) in each community will be sampled twice annually for 1 year pre-intervention (baseline) and 1 year post-intervention to assess dietary diversity and nutritional status. Data analysis will test for a change in these outcomes from baseline in each intervention community compared to the matched control community.

This study modified and contextualized a community mobilization approach in a bid to find a solution to reduce the high incidence and prevalence of child morbidity and mortality in Zimbabwe.The developed model will be tested for its effectiveness in reducing child morbidity and mortality at community level by comparing the effect of the intervention to that of the conventional community interventions.

This cluster randomized controlled study aims to add to the evidence base on mHealth interventions by assessing the main effects of delivering nutrition messages on key maternal, infant, and young child nutrition (MIYCN) behaviors and outcomes through three innovative behavior change strategies. The strategies compared will be: (i) an interpersonal communication strategy using the Tanzanian government's Mkoba wa Siku 1000 maternal, infant and young child nutrition (MIYCN) curriculum (MwS) through clinic- and community-based channels, (ii) the mNutrition SMS text messaging module of the government's Wazazi Nipendeni program, and (iii) the combination of both of these strategies (interpersonal and SMS messaging). They will be compared with the current standard of care in Tanzania. The goal will be to determine which has the greatest impact on key MIYCN and hygiene practices and care-seeking behaviors. It will be paired with a costing analysis so that these effects can be understood in the context of their costs.

Sonographic fetal weight estimation at the last weeks of third trimester in low-risk pregnancies is an effective method for diagnosis of fetal growth restriction (FGR) permitting close surveillance and timely delivery. The need for a systematic ultrasound evaluation at the last weeks of a low-risk pregnancy and the best time to perform it remains controversial. The most commonly used clinical screening tool in this population is the serial measurement of symphysis-fundus distance, which is a method of a variable and low sensitivity for detection of FGR. In Portugal, in accordance with guidelines of Direcção Geral de Saúde from 2015, fetal growth restriction screening in low risk pregnancies is performed with an ultrasound for fetal weight estimation at 30th-33rd weeks. Nonetheless, recent data from randomized trials showed that FGR detection rate was superior at 36 vs 32 weeks' gestation. In cases of severe FGR, detection rate was also superior at 36 vs 32 weeks' gestation. In a prior retrospective study, our group analyzed 1429 term low risk pregnancies and the investigators concluded that small for gestational age term babies (birthweight < 10th centile) had a statistically significant higher rate of operative deliveries for intrapartum fetal distress than appropriate for gestational age as well as a higher rate of admission to neonatal intensive care unit. Moreover the investigators compared the same outcomes within small for gestational age neonates with antepartum detection at 30th-33rd weeks ultrasound vs undetected (normal 30th-33rd weeks ultrasound). Antepartum detection of small for gestational age neonates showed a statistically significant lower rate of operative deliveries for intrapartum fetal distress than undetected small for gestational age neonates. The investigators will conduct a prospective randomized clinical trial with the aim to evaluate if a 35th-37th weeks after the standard of care ultrasound in low risk pregnancies is effective in improving the detection rate of FGR and in reducing cesarean deliveries for intrapartum fetal distress and admission to neonatal intensive care unit.

Unhealthy lifestyles in early childhood are a major global health challenge. These lifestyles often persist from generation to generation and contribute to a vicious cycle of health-related and social problems. We present a study protocol that examines the effectiveness of two novel, integrated healthy school interventions. One is a full intervention called 'The Healthy Primary School of the Future', the other is a partial intervention called 'The Physical Activity School'. These intervention approaches will be compared with the regular school approach that is currently common practice in the Netherlands. The main outcome measure will be changes in children's body mass index (BMI). In addition, lifestyle behaviours, academic achievement, child well-being, socio-economic differences, and societal costs will be examined.