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Beyond the Call of Duty: Your Challenge to Us All
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR where they were receiving education and feedback on dietary records (6). We did not compare our observational data to these data as the 60.3% prevalence was observed at the end of the 24-week behavioral weight-control program and we collected our data at the beginning (within the first 4 weeks). Our prevalence of 41% underreporting is actually quite similar to the 39.7% observed in that study at its outset (6). We remain enthusiastic about the potential of PDA-based food diaries, especially when used by technologysavvy people (7). However, our conclusions urge caution in using any type of food record (PDA or paperbased) when making dietary recommendations, given the high prevalence of underreporting, particularly among the overweight and obese. Further research is still needed, whether it studies PDA methodology or others, to determine how the validity of self-reported dietary assessment can be improved. Bethany A. Yon, MS Public Health Nutritionist Vermont Department of Health Rutland, VT Rachel K. Johnson, PhD, MPH, RD Professor of Nutrition Dean, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences University of Vermont Burlington Jean Harvey-Berino, PhD, RD Professor of Nutrition Department Chair, Nutrition and Food Sciences University of Vermont Burlington References 1. O’Neil PM. Assessing dietary intake in the management of obesity. Obes Res. 2001;9(suppl 5):361S374S. 2. Beasley J, Riley WT, Jean-Mary J. Accuracy of a PDA-based dietary assessment program. Nutrition. 2005;21:372-377. 3. Kos J, Battig K. Comparison of an electronic food diary with a nonquantitative food frequency questionnaire in male and female smokers and nonsmokers. J Am Diet Assoc. 1996;96:283-285.
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4. Novotny JA, Rumpler WV, Riddick H, Hebert JR, Rhodes D, Judd JT, Baer DJ, McDowell M, Briefel R. Personality characteristics as predictors of underreporting of energy intake on 24-hour dietary recall interviews. J Am Diet Assoc. 2003; 103:1146-1151. 5. Scagliusi FB, Polacow VO, Artioli GG, Benatti FB, Lancha AH Jr. Selective underreporting of energy intake in women: Magnitude, determinants, and effect of training. J Am Diet Assoc. 2003;103:13061313. 6. Johnson RK, Friedman AB, Harvey-Berino J, Gold BC, McKenzie D. Participation in a behavioral weight-loss program worsens the prevalence and severity of underreporting among obese and overweight women. J Am Diet Assoc. 2005;105:1948-1951. 7. Yon BA, Johnson RK, HarveyBerino J, Gold BC, Howard AB. Personal digital assistants are comparable to traditional diaries for dietary self-monitoring during a weight loss program. J Behav Med. 2007;30:165-175. doi: 10.1016/j.jada.2007.03.022
Beyond the Call of Duty: Your Challenge to Us All To the Editor: Thank you for your November Editorial Outlook giving thanks for Ruth Dow (1) and December expression of appreciation for Kristen McNutt (2). I was absolutely thrilled when I saw how you had featured Ruth’s and Kristen’s lives to illustrate the “joy of giving” and “pay it forward” concepts. The importance of such contributions is generally not found in textbooks but should, indeed must, be taught to our younger members. Those of us who have been practicing for a while can also benefit from your reminder of our responsibilities in this area. Everyone is very busy today and most of us keep our “plates full” of personal as well as professional responsibilities, but food and nutrition professionals have always worked
hard and been very busy. Despite other demands on their time and talents, many people have nurtured and helped us along the way. This is our heritage, an ethic that dedicated professionals have always honored and practiced. Contributions that go beyond what is required by our employers and those not motivated by career advancement or professional recognition don’t always involve a huge amount of time or significant financial investment. Our talents and compassion can, however, make a big difference in the lives of others, just as each of us have been helped along the road of life by numerous people who asked for nothing in return. I encourage all Journal readers to reflect on those who have helped you along the way as well as how and what their gifts have meant to you. Then ask yourself how you are “paying forward” your debt for their generosity and upholding the traditions which will ensure the future of our profession. Carol Suter, MS, RD Retired Professor of Nutrition and Extension Nutrition Specialist Texas Cooperative Extension Texas A&M University System College Station, TX References 1. Van Horn L. The season for thanks. J Am Diet Assoc. 2006;106: 1731. 2. Van Horn L. Wrapped in appreciation. J Am Diet Assoc. 2006;106: 1931. doi: 10.1016/j.jada.2007.03.016
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4. Novotny JA, Rumpler WV, Riddick H, Hebert JR, Rhodes D, Judd JT, Baer DJ, McDowell M, Briefel R. Personality characteristics as predictors of underreporting of energy intake on 24-hour dietary recall interviews. J Am Diet Assoc. 2003; 103:1146-1151. 5. Scagliusi FB, Polacow VO, Artioli GG, Benatti FB, Lancha AH Jr. Selective underreporting of energy intake in women: Magnitude, determinants, and effect of training. J Am Diet Assoc. 2003;103:13061313. 6. Johnson RK, Friedman AB, Harvey-Berino J, Gold BC, McKenzie D. Participation in a behavioral weight-loss program worsens the prevalence and severity of underreporting among obese and overweight women. J Am Diet Assoc. 2005;105:1948-1951. 7. Yon BA, Johnson RK, HarveyBerino J, Gold BC, Howard AB. Personal digital assistants are comparable to traditional diaries for dietary self-monitoring during a weight loss program. J Behav Med. 2007;30:165-175. doi: 10.1016/j.jada.2007.03.022
Beyond the Call of Duty: Your Challenge to Us All To the Editor: Thank you for your November Editorial Outlook giving thanks for Ruth Dow (1) and December expression of appreciation for Kristen McNutt (2). I was absolutely thrilled when I saw how you had featured Ruth’s and Kristen’s lives to illustrate the “joy of giving” and “pay it forward” concepts. The importance of such contributions is generally not found in textbooks but should, indeed must, be taught to our younger members. Those of us who have been practicing for a while can also benefit from your reminder of our responsibilities in this area. Everyone is very busy today and most of us keep our “plates full” of personal as well as professional responsibilities, but food and nutrition professionals have always worked
hard and been very busy. Despite other demands on their time and talents, many people have nurtured and helped us along the way. This is our heritage, an ethic that dedicated professionals have always honored and practiced. Contributions that go beyond what is required by our employers and those not motivated by career advancement or professional recognition don’t always involve a huge amount of time or significant financial investment. Our talents and compassion can, however, make a big difference in the lives of others, just as each of us have been helped along the road of life by numerous people who asked for nothing in return. I encourage all Journal readers to reflect on those who have helped you along the way as well as how and what their gifts have meant to you. Then ask yourself how you are “paying forward” your debt for their generosity and upholding the traditions which will ensure the future of our profession. Carol Suter, MS, RD Retired Professor of Nutrition and Extension Nutrition Specialist Texas Cooperative Extension Texas A&M University System College Station, TX References 1. Van Horn L. The season for thanks. J Am Diet Assoc. 2006;106: 1731. 2. Van Horn L. Wrapped in appreciation. J Am Diet Assoc. 2006;106: 1931. doi: 10.1016/j.jada.2007.03.016