Related Experiment Videos
Priority issues, study designs and geographical distribution in nutrition journals
R Ortiz-Moncada1, L González-Zapata, M T Ruiz-Cantero
1Enfermería Comunitaria, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública e Historia de la Ciencia, Universidad de Alicante, Alicante, España. rocio.ortiz@ua.es
Nutricion Hospitalaria
|April 4, 2012
Summary
This study analyzed nutrition research papers, finding a bias towards developed countries and healthy populations. Future research should address social determinants of health alongside biological factors.
Area of Science:
- Nutrition science
- Public health research
Background:
- Growing body of nutrition literature highlights its scientific relevance.
- Study characteristics and quality are crucial for valid conclusions and policy-making.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize published papers in leading nutrition journals.
- To identify trends in study subjects, designs, and origins.
Main Methods:
- Descriptive study of 330 original papers from January-June 2007.
- Journals included: AJCN, Journal of Nutrition, European Journal Nutrition, European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Public Health Nutrition.
- Classification by subject (risk factors, study design) and country of origin.
Main Results:
- Over half of papers focused on healthy individuals (53.3%); obesity was the most studied illness (13.9%).
- Food consumption was the primary risk factor (63.3%), while social factors were minimally addressed (3.6%).
- Clinical trials were common (31.8%), with the US leading publications (20.6%); developing countries had limited contributions.
Conclusions:
- Research generally possesses inferential power, aligning with international scientific goals.
- A bias exists, favoring topics relevant to developed nations.
- Greater consideration of social determinants of health is recommended alongside biological and behavioral factors.
Related Concept Videos
01:15Bioavailability Study Design: Healthy Subjects Versus Patients
Bioavailability studies are essential for evaluating a drug's therapeutic efficacy and understanding its absorption patterns under various physiological conditions. Conducting such studies on target patient populations provides more relevant data by simulating real-world disease states. However, practical challenges often necessitate the use of young, healthy adult volunteers as study subjects.Patients may exhibit altered drug absorption patterns due to the effects of the disease itself,...
01:20Study Designs in Epidemiology
Epidemiological study designs are fundamental tools for investigating the distribution, determinants, and control of health conditions in populations. They help researchers understand the relationships between exposures and outcomes, and they broadly fall into two categories: "observational" and "experimental" studies.
Observational studies are those where the researcher does not intervene but rather observes natural variations. They include cross-sectional, cohort, and case-control studies.
Observational studies are those where the researcher does not intervene but rather observes natural variations. They include cross-sectional, cohort, and case-control studies.
02:35Key Elements for Plant Nutrition
Like all living organisms, plants require organic and inorganic nutrients to survive, reproduce, grow and maintain homeostasis. To identify nutrients that are essential for plant functioning, researchers have leveraged a technique called hydroponics. In hydroponic culture systems, plants are grown—without soil—in water-based solutions containing nutrients. At least 17 nutrients have been identified as essential elements required by plants. Plants acquire these elements from the atmosphere, the...
01:27Parentral Nutrition: Centeral and Peripheral Parental Nutrition
Parenteral Nutrition (PN) delivers essential nutrients directly into the bloodstream, bypassing the digestive system. It is commonly used for individuals with severe digestive disorders or conditions that prevent normal nutrient absorption.
PN can be administered through two primary routes:
1. Central Parenteral Nutrition (CPN):
CPN involves delivering a high concentration of nutrients through a large vein. This is typically achieved using a Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC) or,...
PN can be administered through two primary routes:
1. Central Parenteral Nutrition (CPN):
CPN involves delivering a high concentration of nutrients through a large vein. This is typically achieved using a Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC) or,...
01:26Introduction to Epidemiology
Epidemiology, known as the cornerstone of public health, involves studying the distribution and determinants of health-related events in defined populations and applying these insights to control health issues. This is essential for understanding how diseases spread, identifying populations at greater risk, and implementing measures to control or prevent outbreaks. Epidemiology addresses not only infectious diseases but also non-communicable conditions like cancer and cardiovascular disease,...
01:23Dosage Regimen Designs: Nomograms and Tabulations
Nomograms and tabulations are vital tools used by clinicians to design accurate and individualized dosage regimens. These instruments provide a straightforward method for adjusting dosages based on individual patient characteristics, including age, weight, and physiological condition. The foundation of a drug's nomogram is population pharmacokinetic data collected and analyzed using specific models. This data simplifies complex equations, presenting them diagrammatically or tabularly for easy...