Although hemodialysis treatment has greatly increased the life expectancy of end stage renal disease patients, low quality of life among hemodialysis patients is frequently reported. This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the relationship between medical history, hemodialysis treatment and nutritional status with the mental and physical components of quality of life in hemodialysis patients. Respondents (n=90) were recruited from Hospital Kuala Lumpur and dialysis centres of the National Kidney Foundation of Malaysia. Data obtained included socio-demography, medical history, hemodialysis treatment and nutritional status. Mental and physical quality of life were measured using the Mental Composite Summary (MCS) and Physical Composite Summary (PCS) of the Short-Form Health Survey 36-items, a generic core of the Kidney Disease Quality of Life Short Form. Two summary measures and total SF-36 was scored as 0–100, with a higher score indicating better quality of life. Approximately 26 (30%) of respondents achieved the body mass index (24 kg/m²) and more than 80% (n=77) achieved serum albumin level (>35.0 mg/dL) recommended for hemodialysis patients. The majority of respondents did not meet the energy (n=72, 80%) and protein (n=68,75%) recommendations. The total score of SF-36 was 54.1±19.2, while the score for the mental and physical components were 45.0±8.6 and 39.6±8.6, respectively. Factors associated with a higher MCS score were absence of diabetes mellitus (p=0.000) and lower serum calcium (p=0.004), while higher blood flow (p=0.000), higher serum creatinine (p=0.000) and lower protein intake (p=0.006) were associated with a higher PCS score. To improve the overall quality of life of hemodialysis patients, a multidisciplinary intervention that includes medical, dietetic and psychosocial strategies that address factors associated with mental and physical quality of life are warranted to reduce further health complications and to improve quality of life.

Enhanced Recovery after Surgery (ERAS) with sole carbohydrate (CHO) loading and postoperative early oral feeding (POEOF) shortened the length of postoperative (PO) hospital stays (LPOHS) without increasing complications. This study aimed to examine the impact of ERAS with preoperative whey protein-infused CHO loading and POEOF among surgical gynecologic cancer (GC) patients. There were 62 subjects in the intervention group (CHO-P), which received preoperative whey protein-infused CHO loading and POEOF; and 56 subjects formed the control group (CO), which was given usual care. The mean age was 49.5 ± 12.2 years (CHO-P) and 51.2 ± 11.9 years (CO). The trial found significant positive results which included shorter LPOHS (78.13 ± 33.05 vs. 99.49 ± 22.54 h); a lower readmission rate within one month PO (6% vs. 16%); lower weight loss (−0.3 ± 2.3 kg vs. −2.1 ± 2.3 kg); a lower C-reactive protein–albumin ratio (0.3 ± 1.2 vs. 1.1 ± 2.6); preserved muscle mass (0.4 ± 1.7 kg vs. −0.7 ± 2.6 kg); and better handgrip strength (0.6 ± 4.3 kg vs. −1.9 ± 4.7 kg) among CHO-P as compared with CO. However, there was no significant difference in mid-upper arm circumference and serum albumin level upon discharge. ERAS with preoperative whey protein-infused CHO loading and POEOF assured better PO outcomes.

Background: The purpose of this study is to evaluate changes in nutrition impact symptoms (NIS) and nutritional and functional status that occur throughout radiotherapy in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients. Methods: A prospective observational study of HNC inpatients who underwent radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy were recruited to participate. Fifty patients were followed for the periods before, in the middle and at the end of radiotherapy. Nutritional parameters were collected throughout radiotherapy. Results: According to Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA), there was an increase from a baseline of 56% malnourished HNC patients to 100% malnourished with mean weight loss of 4.53 ± 0.41kg (7.39%) at the end of radiotherapy. Nutritional parameters such as muscle mass, fat mass, body mass index, dietary energy and protein intake decrease significantly (p < 0.0001) while NIS score, energy and protein intake from oral nutritional supplements (ONS) increased significantly (p < 0.0001). Hand grip strength did not differ significantly. All HNC patients experienced taste changes and dry mouth that required ONS at the end of treatment. ONS compliance affected the percentage of weight loss (p = 0.013). Conclusions: The intensive nutritional care time point was the middle of RT. The PG-SGA and NIS checklist are useful for monitoring nutrition for HNC patients.

Overweight and obesity are becoming increasingly prevalent among children and adolescents in Saudi Arabia and are an emerging cause of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Lifestyle factors, such as insufficient levels of physical activity and sedentary behaviors, are responsible for the increased prevalence of NCDs. This study aimed to determine the association between physical activity levels, sedentary behaviors, and anthropometric measurements in Saudi female adolescents. A cross-sectional study was carried out among 399 healthy female adolescent students aged 13–14 years in Arar, Saudi Arabia. The participants were randomly selected from different schools and their anthropometric measurements were determined. The Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children (PAQ-C) and the Adolescent Sedentary Activity Questionnaire (ASAQ) were used to assess their physical activity levels and sedentary behaviors, and an analysis was conducted using IBM SPSS software version 25. A multiple linear regression model was used to determine the association between the variables. The majority of the participants had a normal body mass index (BMI; 79.4%) and waist circumference (WC; 62.4%). A total of 74.4% had waist to height ratio (WHtR) < 0.5. About 92.7% of the participants were not meeting PA recommendations of 60 min of moderate to vigorous physical activity daily. The overall mean time spent on sedentary activities was high on both weekdays and weekend days at 357.64 ± 86.29 and 470.51 ± 147.64 min/day, respectively. Moreover, anthropometric measurement (BMI) was positively associated with age and negatively associated with sedentary behavior on weekends, while WHtR was positively associated with age. The multiple linear regression analysis also showed that age and sedentary behavior significantly predicted BMI among the study participants (F (2, 396) = 4.346, p < 0.014) and age was the only significant predictor of WHtR (F (1, 397) = 16.191, p ≤ 0.001). This study revealed that most of the female Saudi adolescents undertook low levels of activity and high levels of sedentary behaviors. Sedentary behaviors were significantly associated with their BMI. Accordingly, an intervention program on healthy lifestyles is important to improve Saudi female adolescents’ lifestyles.

Interventions that encompass behavioural modifications of dietary intake and physical activity are essential for the management of obesity in children. This study assessed the effectiveness of a stage-based lifestyle modification intervention for obese children. A total of 50 obese children (7–11 years old) were randomized to the intervention group (IG, n = 25) or the control group (CG, n = 25). Data were collected at baseline, at follow-up (every month) and at six months after the end of the intervention. IG received stage-based lifestyle modification intervention based on the Nutrition Practice Guideline for the Management of Childhood Obesity, while CG received standard treatment. Changes in body composition, physical activity and dietary intake were examined in both the intervention and control groups. Both groups had significant increases in weight (IG: 1.5 ± 0.5 kg; CG: 3.9 ± 0.6 kg) (p < 0.01) and waist circumference (IG: 0.1 ± 0.5 cm; CG: 2.2 ± 0.7 cm) (p < 0.05), but the increases were significantly higher in CG than IG. Body Mass Index (BMI)-for-age z scores decreased significantly in IG (− 0.2 ± 0.0, p < 0.01) but not in CG. The physical activity of the IG significantly increased (0.44 ± 0.13) compared with that of CG (− 0.28 ± 0.18), and the difference in mean change between groups was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Dietary intake was not significantly different between the two groups. However, calorie and carbohydrate intake decreased significantly in both groups. A stage-based intervention that modified dietary and physical activity behaviour may be effective in weight management for obese children. NCT03429699 retrospectively registered 9 February 2018.

Background: Weight loss is well-known among head and neck (HNC) patients during radiotherapy and could continue after the treatment is completed. Weight monitoring is essential for treatment outcomes and cancer surveillance. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the weight loss during and post-treatment among HNC patients. Methods: A total of 45 out of 50 patients post-treatment were included in this secondary treatment. Data were collected at baseline, at the completion of radiotherapy and one month after completion of radiotherapy. Results: The mean weight loss was 4.53 ± 2.87 kg (7.4%) during treatment and 1.38 ± 2.65 kg (2.1%) post-treatment. There were significant improvements one month after completion of radiotherapy in Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PGSGA), muscle mass, nutrition impact symptoms (NIS) score, energy and protein from oral intake (p < 0.0001). Energy and protein from oral nutritional supplements (ONS) decreased significantly (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: The results of this study underline the importance of early identification and monitoring post-treatment in HNC patients. The post-treatment recovery stage is very important for HNC patients to ensure a healing process.