A blenderized tube feeding (BTF) is a mixture of food and liquid that is pureed and administered through a feeding tube. This method of providing nourishment has been used for millenniums. In fact, it could be viewed as the original form of nutrition support. However, over time, the role of BTF has changed. Initially, it was the only method of nourishing a patient who could not sustain himself or herself on oral feeds. With the development of commercial formulas in the mid-20th century, the usage of this feeding modality declined drastically due to the nutrition precision, ease, and sterility of commercial formulas. Recently, there has been a reemergence in blenderized tube feeds, largely due to patient/family request. The modern perception is that BTF is more natural because the nutrition is coming from whole foods and is able to be varied, as it would be in an oral diet. There are also reports of improved feeding tolerance, such as a reduction in constipation and gagging/retching. However, concerns also exist, such as contamination of the blend with microorganisms and increased viscosity causing feeding tube occlusion. This review summarizes key historical points of the diet, discusses the rationale for use, describes points to consider when using a blenderized diet, and reviews the evidence in practice.

No abstract

Obesity is the most prevalent chronic disease in childhood. There are many comorbidities associated with excess weight that are preventable with improved health. Prevention of medical comorbidities associated with obesity is critical and should begin early, particularly in childhood and preadolescence. This article examined immediate post-treatment and follow-up results of a randomized controlled trial of a 6-month lifestyle intervention involving diet, education, physical exercise, behavior change, and psychosocial methods for overweight or obese school-age children ages 8 to 11 to decrease risk factors associated with medical complications of obesity. Included are outcome data for youth participating in baseline, post-treatment, and 12-month follow-up evaluations. One hundred thirty overweight/obese youth were randomized to a control group or to a 14-session family-based group intervention over 6 months. Medical and psychosocial outcome data were measured at baseline, post-treatment, and follow-up. The intervention group (IG) showed a significant reduction in body mass index z-score (zBMI) and serum triglycerides, particularly for those in the treatment group who attended more sessions of the intervention. The treatment showed significant improvement in zBMI scores at post-treatment, and these results persisted after 12 months. There was no change observed in psychosocial outcome data. Obese children undergoing a family-based intervention (FBI) saw significant improvements in body mass index (BMI) and serum triglycerides that were sustained over 12 months following intervention. Future research should target retention and maintenance in FBIs, with the goal to prevent onset of medical morbidities associated with this disease.

Nutrition support is a therapy that crosses all ages, diseases, and conditions as health care practitioners strive to meet the nutritional requirements of individuals who are unable to meet nutritional and/or hydration needs with oral intake alone. Registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs), as integral members of the nutrition support team provide needed information, such as identification of malnutrition risk, macro-and micronutrient requirements, and type of nutrition support therapy (eg, enteral or parenteral), including the route (eg, nasogastric vs nasojejunal or tunneled catheter vs port). The Dietitians in Nutrition Support Dietetic Practice Group, American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, along with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Quality Management Committee, have updated the Standards of Practice (SOP) and Standards of Professional Performance (SOPP) for RDNs working in nutrition support. The SOP and SOPP for RDNs in Nutrition Support provide indicators that describe the following 3 levels of practice: competent, proficient, and expert. The SOP uses the Nutrition Care Process and clinical workflow elements for delivering patient/client care. The SOPP describes the 6 domains that focus on professional performance. Specific indicators outlined in the SOP and SOPP depict how these standards apply to practice. The SOP and SOPP are complementary resources for RDNs and are intended to be used as a self-evaluation tool for assuring competent practice in nutrition support and for determining potential education and training needs for advancement to a higher practice level in a variety of settings.

Nutrition support is a therapy that crosses all ages, diseases, and conditions as health care practitioners strive to meet the nutrition requirements of individuals who are unable to meet nutrition and/or hydration needs with oral intake alone. Registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs), as integral members of the nutrition support team provide needed information, such as identification of malnutrition risk, macro‐ and micronutrient requirements, and type of nutrition support therapy (eg, enteral or parenteral), including the route (eg, nasogastric vs nasojejunal or tunneled catheter vs port). The Dietitians in Nutrition Support Dietetic Practice Group, American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, along with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Quality Management Committee, have updated the Standards of Practice (SOP) and Standards of Professional Performance (SOPP) for RDNs working in nutrition support. The SOP and SOPP for RDNs in Nutrition Support provide indicators that describe the following 3 levels of practice: competent, proficient, and expert. The SOP uses the Nutrition Care Process and clinical workflow elements for delivering patient/client care. The SOPP describes the 6 domains that focus on professional performance. Specific indicators outlined in the SOP and SOPP depict how these standards apply to practice. The SOP and SOPP are complementary resources for RDNs and are intended to be used as a self‐evaluation tool for assuring competent practice in nutrition support and for determining potential education and training needs for advancement to a higher practice level in a variety of settings.