• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.42-45
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• 2007

Rapid integration of information technology into health care systems has included the use of highly portable systems-in particular, personal digital assistants (PDAs). With their large built-in memories, fast processors, wireless connectivity, multimedia capacity, and large library of applications, PDAs have been widely adopted by physicians and nurses for patient tracking, disease management, medical references and drug information, enhancing quality of health care. Many health-related PDA applications are available to both dietetics professionals and clients. Dietetics professionals can effectively use PDAs for client tracking and support, accessing to hospital database or information, and providing better self-monitoring tools to clients. Internship programs for dietetics professionals should include training in the use of PDAs and their dietetics applications, so that new practitioners can stay abreast of this rapidly evolving technology. Several considerations to keep in mind in selecting a PDA and its applications are discussed.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.8
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• pp.4081-4086
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• 2012

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use is prevalent among individuals with cancer, especially breast cancer survivors. This study was conducted among 394 breast cancer survivors in selected regions of Peninsular Malaysia to identify the pattern and factors associated with CAM use. About 51% of the respondents reported CAM use as complementary treatment. Vitamins (47.2%), spiritual activities (33.2%) and other dietary supplements (30.7%) were the most commonly used CAM therapies. Common reasons for CAM use were to increase the body's ability to perform daily activities (70.9%), enhance immune function (58.3%) and improve emotional well-being (31.7%). Users obtained CAM information mainly from friends and family members (62.5%), physicians (25.0%) and mass media (13.9%). Ethnicity and years of education were significantly associated with CAM use. Although no adverse effects of CAM were reported, breast cancer survivors should discuss their CAM use with health professionals to prevent potential adverse effects of these therapies.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.492-503
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• 2021

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Recently, the recommended nutrient intakes (RNI) for vitamin D for Malaysian aged 1-70 yrs has been revised from 5 ㎍/day to 15 ㎍/day. This study is aimed to assess the adequacy of vitamin D intake based on revised RNI and to recommend several dietary strategies to increase total vitamin D intake. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Vitamin D intake from both food and supplement of 217 pregnant women was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Hypothetical effect of expanded supplementation and food fortifications strategies were modelled using the consumption data. RESULTS: The results revealed that more than half (67.7%) of pregnant women had inadequate vitamin D intake (RNI < 15 ㎍/day). The modelling results demonstrated the potential of universal provision of 10 ㎍/day of multivitamins supplements in increasing vitamin D intake. Moreover, mandatory fortification of both milk and malted drink at single level of 5 ㎍/serving would lead to increase in vitamin D intake of Malaysians, particularly pregnant women. CONCLUSIONS: The outcome of this study can be used as a reference for public health professionals to re-evaluate the existing Malaysian food fortification policies and supplementation recommendation for vitamin D for pregnant women.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.481-487
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• 2013

Following breast cancer diagnosis, women often attempt to modify their lifestyles to improve their health and prevent recurrence. These behavioral changes typically involve diet and physical activity modification. The aim of this study was to determine association between healthy eating habits and physical activity with quality of life among Iranian breast cancer survivors. A total of 100 Iranian women, aged between 32 to 61 years were recruited to participate in this cross-sectional study. Eating practices were evaluated by a validated questionnaire modified from the Women's Healthy Eating and Living (WHEL) study. Physical activity was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). A standardized questionnaire by the European Organization of Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life and its breast cancer module (EORTC QLQ-C30/+BR-23) were applied to determine quality of life. Approximately 29% of the cancer survivors were categorized as having healthy eating practices, 34% had moderate eating practices and 37% had poor eating practices based on nutrition guidelines. The study found positive changes in the decreased intake of fast foods (90%), red meat (70%) and increased intake of fruits (85%) and vegetables (78%). Generally, breast cancer survivors with healthy eating practices had better global quality of life, social, emotional, cognitive and role functions. Results showed that only 12 women (12%) met the criteria for regular vigorous exercise, 22% had regular moderate-intensity exercise while the majority (65%) had low-intensity physical activity. Breast cancer survivors with higher level of physical activity had better emotional and cognitive functions. Healthy eating practices and physical activity can improve quality of life of cancer survivors. Health care professionals should promote good dietary habits and physical activity to improve survivor's health and quality of life.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.272-278
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• 2005

The object of this study was to examine attitudes and knowledge of Korean dieticians about functional foods. We investigated their perceived knowledge and their attitudes regarding risks versus benefits, and recommendation about the use of functional foods; as well as their frequency of personal use, and the educational supports and training needs of dieticians. We developed a questionnaire to assess the dieticians' attitudes related to functional foods. This questionnaire was used for characterizing functional food-related attitudes on the basis of factor and reliability analysis in the following study. The questionnaires were distributed to 802 practicing dieticians working in Daegu and Gyeongsangbukdo. A total of 244 respondents (mean age $34\pm5.7$ years) returned the completed questionnaires through online surveys. Descriptive statistics and ANOV A were used to analyze data. Fewer than $2\%$ of dieticians claimed themselves to be knowledgeable about functional foods, more than $79\%$ consumed functional foods more than once a week, and $88\%$ of dieticians expressed an interest in receiving training about functional foods. Dieticians had favorable attitudes about the rewards from functional foods but were not confident about the safety and usage recommedation of these foods. The level of knowledge and educational support at their universities about functional foods affected the dieticians' attitudes regarding the rewards from and recommendation about the use of functional foods. These results suggest a need for additional educational opportunities to facilitate a better understanding of the risks and benefits of functional foods and their proper usage. Dietetics professionals must adapt to changes in health practices through effective educational programs integrating sufficient knowledge about functional foods.

• Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.9-15
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• 2006

Health care is one of the most popular reasons for accessing the Internet. Of concern is the amount of information from disreputable sources available on the Internet. A review of websites offering nutrition consulting services suggests sites are controlled by both registered dietitians and non-dietitian professionals marketing themselves as nutrition consultants. The purpose of this study was to investigate structure and content of websites controlled by registered dietitians and nondietitians professionals marketing themselves as nutritionists or nutrition consultants. Internet search queries of 'dietitian', 'dietitian consultant', and 'nutrition consultant' were completed for website selection. Thirty websites controlled by registered dietitians and 10 websites controlled by nutrition consultants were reviewed using an 18-item website evaluation instrument developed for this study. Five evaluators were recruited from the dietetics program at the University of Kentucky. Overall, websites controlled by registered dietitians ranked higher than websites controlled by nutrition consultants in a majority of categories. Sites controlled by registered dietitians ranked statistically higher for the following categories: 'accuracy of information'(p<.0001), 'inclusion of professional resume of owner or primary manager' (p<.05), and 'explanation of the affiliation to externallinks'(p<.05). A majority of sites controlled by both dietitians and nutrition consultants achieved a poor ranking in regards to provision of a legal disclaimer and inclusion of a privacy policy. Prior studies suggest personal privacy is the most important concern for consumers accessing health information on the Internet. Findings from this project will benefit dietitians to assist in development of reputable nutrition related websites.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.68-73
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• 2005

A significant number of cases of illness has been attributed to food consumption in restaurants, and as the number of meals eaten away from home continues to rise, the potential for large-scale, foodborne illness outbreaks will continue to increase. It is critical that hospitality and culinary arts students preparing for careers as professionals in foodservice establishments or restaurants have an appropriate understanding of food safety. The level of food safety knowledge was similar between hospitality and culinary arts students, and an analysis of 266 questionnaires indicated that specific areas, such as hand washing, cross contamination in refrigerator, reheating leftovers, refrigeration of cooked food within two hours, proper temperature of food storage, using of thermometers to monitor temperatures, proper egg handling, and possible food borne illness caused by fruits, should be the primary focus of educational resources. Student respondents showed a higher awareness level of responsibility in their roles for food safety, but more emphasis needs to be given to the correct understanding of food safety issues. Hospitality and culinary arts educators can use this precise information to develop food safety education materials and programs to assist in the prevention of foodborne illness and to knowledgeably educate their graduates about food safety.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.87-104
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• 2001

This study was conducted as a part of the project developing the standards of national board test for the dietitian's licence. The purpose of this study was to define the job description of dietitians, and to describe the task elements based on the detailed analysis of the dietitians' work. This study team established the research team which was composed of food and nutrition experts, 7 of registered dietitians and 3 of university professors. Draft job description form was made to fully explain the dietitians' task elements, process and sequence by the research team. Final job description form was confirmed after the validity of 576 task elements was reevaluated upon 4 point scale test based on the frequency, importance, and difficulty by 21 field registered dietitian by the study team. It was also confirmed by the university. This form was formated by following DACUM method which analyzed the job description containing duty, task and task elements. It was organized to include every dietitians' work and to describe the every detailed process of work. Duty was defined as the specific and independent work as a dietitian, and was composed of 17 parts, i.e 10 parts in food supply management area and 6 parts in nutritional care service area and self promotion area. Duties were also divided into 99 tasks containing the 576 detailed task elements to describe definite action, steps and decisions. Seventeen parts are following; menu planning, storage and inventory control, food production, meal service, waste management, sanitation, equipment and facility management, human resource management, financial management, nutrition assessment of life cycle, nutritional assessment of several disease, nutritional assessment in specific condition, medical nutrition therapy, nutritional education, public health nutrition and self promotion. If these protocols are properly performed and presented, they can provide the likelihood that dietetics professionals work as a primary contributors in promoting health care and preventing disease nationally.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.36-42
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• 2010

A cross-sectional survey was used to investigate the rates of overweight and obesity (BMI$\geq$25), and eating attitudes among college students. Data were collected at a large southeastern university. Adolescents (ages 18-25) self-reported weight and height (to calculate BMI), and, in addition to demographic information, completed the eating attitudes (EAT 26) scale to assess dieting tendencies. Significance of the mean BMI differences between gender and ethnic background were assessed by one-way analysis of variance (one-way ANOVA). Chi-square was used to determine whether the rate of those with BMI$\geq$25 between gender and ethnic background was statistically significant. While 52.7% of the students' BMI were within the normal weight category, 15.2% were underweight, 21.3% were overweight, and 10.8% were obese. The rate of BMI$\geq$25 differed by gender and ethnicity, with males and African Americans having higher rates. About 12 % of the participants reported disturbed eating behavior, which is lower than previously reported. Even so, results support the generally held belief that disturbed eating attitudes and unhealthy dieting are common among college students, especially among females. At the same time, disturbed eating attitudes are not just the domain of young female students; about 10% of college males reported disturbed eating attitudes. Findings of this study call for obesity prevention/intervention and lifestyle modification outreach programs among college students. Weight status and unhealthy eating behaviors of college. students should be a concern to health care professionals. While obese young adults will likely remain obese throughout their adult life, excessive dieting among students, which is linked to eating disorders and other health hazards, does not provide healthy and adequate alternatives for maintaining a normal BMI. Implications for obesity prevention programs are discussed.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.416-423
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• 2013

This study analyzed the reasons for continuing education among dietitians. An internet-based survey of 622 dieticians was conducted from August 31, 2012 to September 12, 2012. Based on data from the Participation Reasons Scale (PRS) questionnaire, factor analysis was conducted by principle component analysis for the extraction of major factors. Subsequent reliability analysis was performed by assessing Cronbach's ${\alpha}$. The ANOVA-test was performed to compare the participation reason scores for each factors according to general characteristics. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS ver.17.0, and P<0.05 was considered significant. Factor analysis for the participation reasons revealed four types of factors. These factors were "maintenance and development of professional competencies", "interaction and responsibility of professionals", "job stability and personal profits" and "services for customers" respectively. Among the participation reasons, "maintenance and development of professional competencies" was the first reason with a 29.34% variance. In addition, the participation reasons for continuing education differed according to age (P<0.05), the highest level of education (P<0.05), workplace (P<0.01), and work experience in dietetic area (P<0.001). In conclusion, continuing education programs for dietitians should focus on effectively developing and promoting professionalism.