Association between baseline handgrip strength and cognitive function assessed before and after a 12-week resistance exercise intervention among community-living older adults

This study was part of the IceProQualita project, which was funded by Only the Icelandic Technology Development Fund has provided No 071323008, Research Fund of the University of Iceland, a grant from Landspitali National University Hospital Research Fund and the Helga Jonsdottir and Sigurlidi Kristjansson Geriatric Research Fund.Peer reviewe

Veganism and Its Challenges : The Case of Iceland

Publisher Copyright: © 2023, The Author(s).Our research discusses how four main ethical challenges to veganism manifest in the context of Iceland. Veganism is becoming an increasingly popular lifestyle in many parts of the world, especially in OECD countries. Studies on the motivation for choosing a vegan lifestyle (which includes, but is not restricted to, following a vegan diet) include ethical considerations, dietary choices, personal health, taste, religious and political beliefs, or environmental concerns. Ethics plays a particularly important role, and as such, veganism has become a central object of interest in recent conversations on animal rights and welfare among ethicists. Our analysis reviews four ethical challenges (i.e., the challenge of universality, demandingness, causal impotence, and the least environmental harm principle) in the literature that problematize the norms and rationale underpinning veganism and vegan discourse and discusses how each applies within the context of Icelandic society and geography. We conjecture that the particular economic, demographic, and geographic characteristics of Iceland indicate that being vegan in Iceland does not free oneself of having global social and environmental impacts on account of chosen dietary options. All diets constitute global systems that account for dependencies and opportunities, vulnerabilities, and strengths, which may challenge the assumption that veganism is a more socially and environmentally sustainable dietary option within this particular regional context.Peer reviewe

Cross-sectional study of oral health care service, oral health beliefs and oral health care education of caregivers in nursing homes

© 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc.Objectives: To assess oral care beliefs and oral hygiene procedures among nursing home personnel to identify strengths and weaknesses in managing oral care. Methods: A cross-sectional study in two nursing homes using an oral health care questionnaire including the Nursing Dental Coping Belief Scale. Results: A total of 109 health personnel participated. Oral care was seldomly achieved twice a day and dental supplies were not guaranteed. Registered nurses found the oral health of residents more acceptable than did allied health personnel with less oral care education, who mostly delivered daily care. Conversely, nursing staff with oral care education had lower dental coping beliefs, suggesting a lack of self-reliance in controlling oral health outcomes. Conclusion: Dental supplies should be part of nursing care equipment. Educational programs could increase positive oral health beliefs and enhance the quality of care in these settings, particularly among those who are accountable for oral care.Peer reviewe

Dietary intake of young Icelanders with psychotic disorders and weight development over an 8-12 months period

To access publisher's full text version of this article, please click on the hyperlink in Additional Links field or click on the hyperlink at the top of the page marked FilesTilgangur: Tíðni lífsstílssjúkdóma er hærri meðal einstaklinga með geðrofssjúkdóma en almennings. Tilgangur rannsóknarinnar var að kanna fæðuval ungs fólks með geðrofssjúkdóma, en fæðuval þessa hóps hefur aldrei verið kannað hérlendis áður. Efniviður og aðferðir: Þátttakendur voru þjónustuþegar Laugarássins (n=48, 18-30 ára), sem sóttu þjónustu á því tímabili sem gagnaöflun fór fram (júlí- ágúst 2016). Fæðuval og næringargildi fæðu var metið með sólarhringsupprifjun á mataræði. Niðurstöður voru bornar saman við ráðleggingar Embættis landlæknis og niðurstöður landskönnunar á mataræði 2010-2011 fyrir sama aldurshóp (n=250). Þróun líkamsþyngdar síðastliðna 8-12 mánuði var metin út frá skráðum upplýsingum í sjúkraskrá (Sögu). Niðurstöður: Neysla á ávöxtum, fiski, mjólkurvörum, jurtaolíum og lýsi var marktækt lægri meðal þjónustuþega en hjá þátttakendum í landskönnun 2010-2011, en neysla á sælgæti og gosdrykkjum hærri (p5% af upphafsþyngd sinni á 8-12 mánaða tímabili. Ályktanir: Fæðuval ungs fólks með geðrofssjúkdóma samræmist ekki opinberum ráðleggingum um fæðuval og er lakara en fæðuval viðmiðunarhópsins. Mikilvægt er að þróa leiðir til að bæta fæðuval og þar með næringargildi fæðu hópsins.Introduction: The prevalence of lifestyle related diseases is higher among people with psychotic disorders than the general population. The aim was to assess dietary intake of young people with psychotic disorders for the first time in Iceland. Material and methods: Subjects were young people (n=48, age 18-30y) with psychotic disorders. Dietary intake was assessed by a 24-hour recall in July-August 2016, and compared with official recommendations and intake of the general public (n=250, age 18-30y). Body weight in the past eight to 12 months, was retrieved from medical records. Results: Consumption of fruits, fish, dairy products, vegetable and fish oil was significantly lower among subjects when compared with the general public, while their soft drink and sweets consumption was higher (p5% of their initial body weight in the past 8-2 months. Conclusion: Diet of young people with psychotic disorders is not consistent with recommendations and is worse than the diet of their peers in the general population. It is important to find ways to improve the diet and thereby nutrient intake of the group

„Það er fróðlegt og krefjandi að vinna í teymi“- Þverfræðilegt nám á heilbrigðisvísindasviði Háskóla Íslands: þriggja ára þróunarverkefni

To access publisher's full text version of this article, please click on the hyperlink in Additional Links field or click on the hyperlink at the top of the page marked Downloa

Er þörf á sérstakri heilbrigðismóttöku fyrir háskólanemendur?

Efst á síðunni er hægt að nálgast greinina í heild sinni með því að smella á hlekkinnTilgangur: Víða erlendis hafa háskólanemendur aðgang að heilbrigðisþjónustu sem er sérstaklega ætluð þeim. Tilgangur þessarar könnunar meðal nemenda við Háskóla Íslands var að skoða þörf þeirra fyrir sérstaka heilbrigðismóttöku. Aðferð: Rafræn könnun var lögð fyrir 9744 nemendur við háskólann vorið 2011 sem voru á póstlista. Spurningalistinn var saminn af vinnuhópi sem í voru fulltrúar frá öllum deildum Heilbrigðisvísindasviðs Háskóla Íslands. Stuðst var við lýsandi tölfræði við gagnagreiningu. Niðurstöður: Alls bárust svör frá 1487 þátttakendum, 1427 íslenskumælandi og 60 enskumælandi, og gefa svörin því mynd af viðhorfum 15,2% nemenda við skólann. Úrtakið endurspeglar einkum viðhorf kvenstúdenta og nema í grunnnámi. Tæplega 40% íslensku nemanna og um 70% þeirra erlendu höfðu ekki heimilislækni á höfuðborgarsvæðinu. Niðurstöður sýndu að meirihluti þeirra þurfti á heilbrigðisþjónustu að halda á árinu fyrir könnunina en rúmlega helmingur beið með að leita eftir heilbrigðisþjónustu og var meginástæða þess kostnaður. Um þriðjungur íslensku nemanna og fimmtungur þeirra erlendu sögðust eiga í fjárhagsvanda. Um 92% þeirra íslensku og allir erlendu nemarnir sögðust mundu leita á móttöku þar sem þjónustan væri veitt af nemendum skólans undir leiðsögn kennara. Báðir hóparnir vildu hafa aðgang að fjölbreyttri heilbrigðisþjónustu. Ályktanir: Niðurstöðurnar gefa til kynna að þeir háskólanemendur, sem þátt tóku í könnuninni, hafi mikla þörf fyrir sérstaka heilbrigðismóttöku. Kostnaður hefur hvað mest hindrað þá í að leita eftir heilbrigðisþjónustu. Jafnframt er stór hópur án heimilislæknis, einkum sá erlendi, og hefur því ekki greiðan aðgang að heilbrigðisþjónustu á heilsugæslustöðvum.Purpose: In many neighbouring countries university students have access to health services which are specially geared to their needs. The purpose of this survey among university students at the University of Iceland was to explore their need for a special health service. Method: The online survey was administered to 9744 students at the university in the spring of 2011 who were registered e-mail recipients, both Icelandic and English-speaking. The questionnaire was developed by a working group which consisted of representatives from all the faculties at the School of Health Sciences. Data were analysed by descriptive statistical methods. Results: There were 1487 participants who responded, 1427 Icelandic and 60 English-speaking representing 15,2% of the university student population. The sample represents especially the attitudes of undergraduate and female students. Almost 40% of the Icelandic students and nearly 70% of the English-speaking students did not have a family practitioner in the capital area. The results showed that the great majority of respondents had needed health services in the year before the study took place. More than half of them reported that they had postponed seeking health services citing cost as the main reason. About 92% of the Icelandic students and all of the foreign students reported that they would attend a health clinic which was provided by university students under supervision. Both groups would like to have access to various health care services. Conclusions: The results indicate that university students who answered the questionnaire had a great need for special health clinic. Costs of service had mainly prevented them from seeking health care services. Additionally, the proportion of students without a family practitioner is high, especially among the foreign students, which is a further hindrance regarding access to primary health care services.Heilbrigðisvísindasvið Landspítal

HOMEFOOD randomized trial—beneficial effects of 6-month nutrition therapy on body weight and physical function in older adults at risk for malnutrition after hospital discharge

Funding Information: The study was funded by the Icelandic Centre for Research (174250-051), the Research Fund of the University of Iceland, the Research Fund of Hrafnista, the Icelandic Society of Geriatrics, and the Helga Jonsdottir and Sigurlidi Kristjansson Geriatric Research Fund. The authors want to state that neither the above-mentioned funding entities nor the food companies were involved in study design, implementation, statistical analysis, and/or interpretation of the data. The above-mentioned funding sources were not involved in study design; data collection, analysis, interpretation of data, writing of the report, and had no restrictions regarding the submission of the report for publication. Publisher Copyright: © 2022, The Author(s).Background/objectives: Malnutrition is common among older adults. Dietary intervention studies in older adults aiming to improve anthropometrics measures and physical function have been inconsistent. We aimed to investigate the effects of nutrition therapy in combination with home delivered meals and oral nutritional supplements (ONS) in community-dwelling older adults discharged from hospital. Methods: A total of 106 participants (>65 years) were randomized into the intervention group (n = 53) and into the control group (n = 53). The intervention group received individual nutrition therapy (five in person visits and three phone calls) and freely delivered energy- and protein- rich foods, while the control group received standard care. Dietary intake, anthropometrics, and short physical performance battery (SPPB) were assessed at baseline and at endpoint. Results: Energy intake at baseline was similar in both groups (~1500 kcal at the hospital) but there was a significant increase in energy intake and body weight in the intervention group (+919 kcal/day and 1.7 kg, P < 0.001 in both cases) during the study period, compared to a significant decrease in both measures among controls (−815 kcal/day and −3.5 kg, P < 0.001 in both cases). SPPB score increased significantly in the intervention group while no changes were observed among controls. Conclusions: Most Icelandic older adults experience substantial weight loss after hospital discharge when receiving current standard care. However, a 6-month multi-component nutrition therapy, provided by a clinical nutritionist in combination with freely delivered supplemental energy- and protein-dense foods has beneficial effects on body weight, physical function, and nutritional status. Study registration: This study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03995303).Peer reviewe

Protein – a scoping review for Nordic Nutrition Recommendations 2023

Proteins are needed for providing essential amino acids, nitrogen, and fuel for the body’s needs in all age groups. Proteins are especially required during active growth in pregnancy, lactation, childhood, and tissue growth in general. An adequate protein intake is needed in old adults to avoid premature muscle loss. According to the current dietary surveys, protein intake in the Nordic and Baltic countries varies from 15 to 19% of the total energy intake in adults. Comprehensive data regarding children and older adults are lacking. No good measure for protein status exists, and the estimation of physiological requirements is based on N-balance studies having some weaknesses. Protein quality is assessed by considering the protein digestibility of individual indispensable amino acids and their utilization (bioavailability), which is affected by food antinutrients and processing. The evidence regarding the association of protein intake per se with health outcomes is limited or suggestive. It is difficult to separate from the effect of other nutrients or ingredients in protein-rich foods. Proteins are widespread in foods, deriving from both animal and plant sources. Animal-sourced protein production puts more strain on the environment than plant-sourced proteins and contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, thereby enhancing climate change. In Nordic and Baltic countries, consumption of animal-sourced proteins is relatively high. A shift toward more plant-based protein diets would be advisable for promoting a healthy and sustainable diet

Interdisciplinary Nutritional Management and Care for Older Adults : An Evidence-Based Practical Guide for Nurses

This open access book aims to primarily support nurses as leaders and champions of multimodal, Interdisciplinary nutrition care for older adults. A structured approach to fundamentals of nutrition care across Interdisciplinary settings is combined with additional short chapters about special topics in geriatric nutrition. The book is designed to provide highly accessible information on evidence-based management and care for older adults, with a focus on practical guidance and advice across acute, rehabilitation, and primary and secondary malnutrition prevention settings.The cost of malnutrition in England alone has been estimated to be £19.6 billion per year, or more than 15% of the total public expenditure on health and social care. ^65 years. The importance and benefit of specialised nutrition care, delivered by experts in the field, is well established for those with complex nutrition care needs. However, despite the substantial adverse impact of malnutrition on patient and healthcare outcomes, specialised management of this condition is often under-resourced, overlooked and under-prioritised by both older adults and their treating teams. As an alternative, timely, efficient, and effective supportive nutrition care opportunities may be appropriately implemented by nurses and non-specialist Interdisciplinary healthcare team members, working together with nutrition specialists and the older adults they care for. Practical, low-risk opportunities should be considered across nutrition screening, assessment, intervention, and monitoring domains for many patients with or at risk of malnutrition. Whilst a variety of team members may contribute to supportive nutrition care, the nursing profession provide a clear focal point. Nurses across diverse settings provide the backbone for Interdisciplinary teamwork and essential patient care. The nursing profession should consequently be considered best placed to administer Interdisciplinary, multimodal nutrition care, wherever specialist nutrition care referrals are unlikely to add value or are simply not available. As such, the book is a valuable resource for all healthcare providers dedicated to working with older patients to improve nutrition care.Peer reviewe

Correction to: Veganism and Its Challenges: The Case of Iceland : Veganism and Its Challenges: The Case of Iceland (Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Ethics, (2023), 36, 1, (7), 10.1007/s10806-023-09902-0)

Publisher Copyright: © 2023 The Author(s).In the published article, the order of authors was published as follows, Ólafur Ögmundarson · Eugenio Luciano · Ólöf Guðný Geirsdóttir · Helga Ögmundardóttir It must be published as, Eugenio Luciano · Ólöf Guðný Geirsdóttir · Helga Ögmundardóttir · Ólafur Ögmundarson The original article has been corrected