N M Lenhart | PubMed Health

PubMed1989

Demographic profile and nutrient intake assessment of individuals using emergency food programs.

A dietary assessment of food pantry and soup kitchen users was conducted. A demographic and socioeconomic profile of participants was developed. One hundred ninety-one persons completed 30- to 40-minute interviews while in line to receive food assistance. Dietary status was determined from 24-hour recall data. Intakes of calcium, iron, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, protein, vitamin A, and vitamin C were compared with the 1980 RDAs for age and sex. A dietary adequacy score was developed to evaluate nutrient quality by calculation of a nutrient density ratio (total intake for a nutrient divided by the RDA). A value of one was considered the norm. A score of 0.67 or less was considered an inadequate nutrient intake. Sixty-eight percent of the sample demonstrated some degree of inadequate nutrient intake. Nutrients that tended to be the lowest were calcium (76% inadequate), vitamin C (74% inadequate), and thiamin (74% inadequate). Inadequate nutrient intake was significantly associated with a lack of cooking facilities, lower monthly incomes, and lesser amounts of money spent on food. Comparison of food pantry users with soup kitchen participants indicated calcium was a problem nutrient for both groups.

Eating↗

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Local anesthesia for circumcision: which technique is most effective?

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Circumcision is the most commonly performed surgical procedure in the United States, and it is painful. Several investigators have independently documented the reliability and safety of local anesthesia in eliminating the pain associated with circumcision. Investigations have not, however, been conducted to determine which technique is most effective in reducing the pain of the procedure. This study compares the techniques of local anesthesia for circumcision to determine which technique most safely and reliably reduces pain. METHODS: Fifty-six infants being circumcised were randomly assigned to one of three groups according to anesthesia technique: (1) distal branch block, (2) root block, and (3) subpubic block. Change in heart rate and oxygen saturation, as well as cry response, were recorded. Heart rate and oxygen saturation differences were analyzed utilizing Student's t test, whereas cry response was analyzed using the chi-square test. RESULTS: We discontinued using the distal branch block technique during the study because we were concerned about possible untoward outcomes. As a result, only data from the circumcisions of the 42 infants who were assigned to the root block and subpubic block groups were analyzed. The dorsal penile nerve root block more reliably reduced the pain of circumcision than did the subpubic technique (P = 0.05). There were no serious complications with any of the techniques in this study. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with distal branch block and subpubic block techniques, nerve block at the penile root most reliably and safely eliminated the pain of circumcision.

Anesthesia, Local↗