Cereda E, Pisati R, Rondanelli M, Caccialanza R. 2022 Apr 6;14(7):1524. doi: 10.3390/nu14071524. PMID: 35406137; PMCID: PMC9003251. 

Sarcopenia has been recognized as a muscle disease, with adverse consequences on health. Updated recommendations, aimed at increasing awareness of sarcopenia and its accompanying risks, have been produced to urge the early detection and treatment of this disease. Recommended treatment is based on an individually tailored resistance exercise training program, the optimization of protein intake using high-quality protein sources (i.e., whey protein) in order to provide a high amount of essential amino acids—particularly leucine—and addressing vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency. The purpose of this review is to collate and describe all of the relevant efficacy studies carried out with a muscle-targeted oral nutritional supplementation (MT-ONS)—namely a whey-protein-based, leucine- and vitamin D-enriched formula aimed at optimizing their intake and satisfying their requirements—in different patient populations and clinical settings in order to determine if there is enough evidence to recommend prescription for the treatment of sarcopenia or its prevention in high-risk patient populations.

Harris JE, Zoellner J. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2022 Apr;122(4):709-721. doi: 10.1016/j.jand.2021.10.022. Epub 2021 Oct 30. PMID: 34728413. 

This monograph focuses on understanding statistical and clinical significance and is one in a research and statistics series published by the statistical team of the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The content covers the research questions, definition of clinical significance, hypothesis testing, P values, effect sizes, sample sizes, CIs, power analyses, minimal clinically important differences, and validity. This monograph concludes with a summary of the importance of clinical and statistical results for credentialed nutrition and dietetics practitioners to consider when assessing statistical and clinical significance. The assessment will help readers make subjective clinical judgments in the application of research findings based on their experience.

Katoch OR. Nutrition. 2022 Apr;96:111565. doi: 10.1016/j.nut.2021.111565. Epub 2021 Dec 11. PMID: 35066367. 

Child malnutrition is a major public health problem.

Globally in 2020, 149 million children <5 y of age were estimated to be stunted (too short for age) and 45 million were wasted (too thin for height).

The most consistent factors associated with child malnutrition are maternal education, household income, and maternal nutritional status.

Fischer A, Hertwig A, Hahn R, Anwar M, Siebenrock T, Pesta M, Liebau K, Timmermann I, Brugger J, Posch M, Ringl H, Tamandl D, Hiesmayr M; USVALID Collaboration Group. Clin Nutr. 2022 Apr;41(4):829-837. doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2022.01.034. Epub 2022 Feb 11. PMID: 35263692. 

Skeletal muscle area (SMA) in the computed tomography (CT) at the third lumbar vertebra (L3) level is a proxy for whole-body muscle mass but is only performed for clinical reasons. Ultrasound is a promising tool to determine muscle mass at the bedside. It is still unclear how well ultrasound and which ultrasound measuring points can predict CT L3 SMA.

Yoshida S, Nakayama Y, Nakayama J, Chijiiwa N, Ogawa T. Clin Nutr ESPEN. 2022 Apr;48:456-463. doi: 10.1016/j.clnesp.2021.12.027. Epub 2021 Dec 30. PMID: 35331529. 

The aim of our study was to clarify whether the eGFR ratio (eGFRcys/eGFR) is appropriate for evaluating muscle mass as an alternative method to bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). We also investigated the accuracy and usefulness of the eGFR ratio in the diagnosis of sarcopenia and malnutrition.