Web watch

online resources and useful updates. Visit www.nHdmag.com for full listings.

niCe guideline/ sTandaRds uPdaTe Irritable bowel syndrome in adults. NICE quality standard [QS114]

Published February 2016. This quality standard covers the diagnosis and management of irritable bowel syndrome in adults. It does not cover other gastrointestinal disorders such as non-ulcer dyspepsia, coeliac disease and inflammatory bowel disease. Quality statement 3 discusses the dietary management of IBS. Available at www.nice.org. uk/guidance/qs114

Motor neurone disease: assessment and management. NICE guidelines [NG42]’

This guideline covers assessing and managing motor neurone disease (MND). It aims to improve care from the time of diagnosis and covers information and support, organisation of care, managing symptoms and preparing for end of life care. Nutrition, hydration and gastrostomy are discussed in 1.10 of Managing Symptoms within this guideline. Available at www. nice.org.uk/guidance/ng42

food sTandaRds agenCY uPdaTe: PReVenTing food alleRgY

On 04/03/16 the FSA shared the news that a major new study had been published in the New England Journal of Medicine, which has found that introducing allergenic foods to the infant diet from three months of age may be effective in food allergy prevention if the recommended quantity of allergenic food was consumed. This research is the outcome of the EAT (Enquiring About Tolerance) study, which was funded by the FSA and Medical Research Council. It was conducted by King’s College London with the support from St George’s University of London. A summary report of the EAT study is now available via the FSA website: www.food.gov.uk/news-updates/ news/2016/14958/giving-allergenicfoods-to-infants-from-three-monthsold-may-prevent-allergies

JouRnal of HuMan nuTRiTion and dieTeTiCs: neW sYsTeMaTiC ReVieWs

Two new systematic reviews have been published on the estimation of energy expenditure using predictive equations in overweight and obese adults. Published on 29/02/16 the objective was to identify which equations based on simple anthropometric and demographic variables provide the most accurate and precise estimates of (1) resting energy expenditure (REE) and (2) total energy expenditure (TEE) in healthy obese adults. The reviews found no single prediction equation provides accurate and precise REE estimates in all obese adults. Mifflin equations are recommended in this population, although errors exceed 10% in 25% of those assessed. There is no evidence to support the use of prediction equations in estimating TEE in obesity. http://onlinelibrary. wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jhn.12355/ abstract.

Reference:MaddenAM,MulrooneyHM,ShahS(2016). Estimation of energy expenditure using prediction equationsinoverweightandobeseadults:asystematic review.JHumNutrDiet.doi:10.1111/jhn.12355

nHs CHoiCes ResouRCes - suPeRfoods: THe eVidenCe

A useful resource which looks at the evidence behind health claims surrounding 10 ‘superfoods’ such as blueberries, beetroot juice, chocolate, garlic and goji berries. The resource has been developed with the BDA (British Dietetic Association) to provide an easy-to-read-and-use format to highlight the evidence (or lack of!) for labelling these foods as ‘superfoods’. www.nhs. uk/Livewell/superfoods/Pages/ superfoods.aspx

ask foR THe eVidenCe!

An online resource, ‘Ask for evidence’ provides support for young people to develop skills to critically assess online claims and reduce sharing of poor quality, unquestioned information. The easy-to-use website allows young people to become savvier when reading about product claims, policy statements, newspaper articles and adverts. Requesting the evidence behind these publications is encouraged and supported by the site. http://askforevidence.org