Table of Contents

Purpose: Because of the tremendous increase in overweight and obesity in Canadian children and youth in recent decades, we examined associations among health determinants, healthy living characteristics, and overweight and obesity in Manitoba children and youth. Methods: Using descriptive statistics and logistic regression, we identified factors associated with measured overweight and obesity in a sample of 1651 Manitoba children and youth aged two to 17 years from the 2004 Canadian Community Health Survey 2.2—Nutrition. Results: Thirty-one percent of the children and youth were overweight or obese. Males aged 12 to 17 or from foodinsecure homes were more likely to be overweight or obese than were younger males or males from food-secure households. Females from households with higher parental education were less likely to be overweight or obese than were those from households with lower parental education. Female youth who were sedentary for at least three hours daily were more likely to be overweight or obese than were less sedentary female youth. A trend toward significance with overweight or obesity in youth was noted with levels of daily fruit and vegetable consumption and regular physical activity. Conclusions: Overweight and obesity in Manitoba children and youth are associated with socio-economic and demographic characteristics, and with food and activity behaviours. These findings can inform health and nutrition policy and practice by indicating health inequities that require particular attention.

Two education interventions involving personalized messages after nutrition screening in older adults were compared to determine changes in nutrition knowledge and risk behaviour. Of 150 older adults randomly selected from a local seniors’ centre, 61 completed baseline screening and a demographic and nutrition knowledge questionnaire and were randomized to one of two groups. Group A received personalized letters plus an educational booklet, and Group B received personalized letters only. All materials were sent through the mail. Forty-four participants completed post-test questionnaires to determine change in knowledge and risk behaviour. Both groups had reduced nutrition risk scores and increased knowledge scores at post-test. After the intervention, a significant difference was observed in knowledge change by treatment group. Group A participants experienced greater gains in knowledge, with a mean gain of 5.43 points, than did those in Group B, who had a mean gain of 1.36 points (p=0.018). Screening and education with print materials have the potential to change risk behaviour and nutrition knowledge in older adults. A specially designed booklet on older adults’ nutrition risk factors plus a personalized letter provide an effective education strategy for older adults after screening.

We examined the research literature to determine the skills and attributes that dietetic interns desire in clinical preceptors. A search of three databases produced little information specific to dietetics. Literature on preceptors in other health disciplines identified preceptor attributes that students in clinical placements value. We were able to cluster the data from these studies into four themes: knowledge and experience, personal characteristics, teaching skills and attitudes, and interpersonal relationships. This review suggests a need for further development of dietitian preceptor training, as well as for further research specific to dietetic interns’ needs.

Purpose: Portion size measurement aids (PSMAs) are used extensively by dietitians. In this cross-sectional, descriptive study, we explored the degree of consistency and concordance between measured and putative volumes of selected household and sport-related PSMAs that are commonly used for nutrition education and dietary assessment. Methods: An online search of portion size resources yielded several governmental and academic descriptions of household PMSAs (e.g., a compact disc, a nine-volt battery) and sportrelated PMSAs (e.g., a golf ball) and their purported dimensions. The spherical items were purchased locally and measured using electronic digital calipers; measurements were then converted to volumes, in millilitres. Results: Overall, we observed a high degree of heterogeneity in how different educational resources related sport-related PSMAs to portion sizes of food. The mean percentage of error between the measured and putative volumes of PSMAs varied considerably. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that the inaccurate use of PSMAs can lead to systematic bias in nutrition education and misreporting of dietary intake during dietary assessment. Dietitians should exercise caution when using PSMAs because these may not reflect the true portion size they are meant to represent.

The connections between people, careers, events, and decisions provide the focus for this lecture, which traces the story of a 38-year career as a dietitian, spanning the country from east to west, through the centre, and back again. The lecture emphasizes the importance of taking inspiration from family and events, developing and maintaining lifelong friendships, and commitments. Finding opportunity in the midst of adversity is also a theme. The author's career begins with a clinical and administrative experience and moves into the community when she becomes a public health nutritionist. While the budget restrictions of the 1990s were challenging, the author recounts opportunities with key issues such as folic acid, prenatal nutrition, and heart health. A provincial food and nutrition plan was created, including a focus on food security and its connection to poverty. This is linked to the roots of the dietetic profession with the Lillian Massey School of Household Science and Art established in the 1890s. As the author recounts her journey, dietitians are reminded that working with partners and other disciplines provides the foundation for success and will be needed as we address the current issue of obesity.

Welcome to Montreal and the 2010 Dietitians of Canada Annual Conference Research Event. This year will be quite exciting with nearly 70 high quality research and practice presentations. Topics are varied and include: public health nutrition, food service management, food production, nutrition friendly environments, clinical and applied nutrition, and dietetic practice in various settings, such as schools, community centres, hospitals, health centres, etc. The innovation this year will be the Poster Tour that will allow each presenter to discuss the highlights of his/her research under the guidance of one of the abstract review committee members or a dedicated nutritionist or graduate student. Judging abstracts was a difficult task considering the variety of topics and the large number and high quality abstracts received this year. Members of the Committee had a wide spectrum of expertise and collaborated to share their knowledge and set strict criteria for abstract selection. They also assisted in finalizing the oral and poster presentations schedules. On behalf of the membership of Dietitians of Canada, I would like to thank the Abstracts Review Committee members who took time from their busy schedules to provide their expertise to review these abstracts: Drs. Katherine Gray-Donald and Hugues Plourde from McGill University; Drs. Irene Strychar and Marie Marquis from the Université de Montréal and Dr. Maria Kalergis from the Dairy Farmers of Canada. Join me in celebrating Canadian Dietetic Research by attending the poster sessions on Thursday and Friday (May 27 and 28) and the oral presentations on Friday May 28 in the afternoon.