| 1. |
- Bokhorst, Stef, et al.
(author)
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Changing Arctic snow cover : A review of recent developments and assessment of future needs for observations, modelling, and impacts
- 2016
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In: Ambio. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0044-7447 .- 1654-7209. ; 45:5, s. 516-537
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Snow is a critically important and rapidly changing feature of the Arctic. However, snow-cover and snowpack conditions change through time pose challenges for measuring and prediction of snow. Plausible scenarios of how Arctic snow cover will respond to changing Arctic climate are important for impact assessments and adaptation strategies. Although much progress has been made in understanding and predicting snow-cover changes and their multiple consequences, many uncertainties remain. In this paper, we review advances in snow monitoring and modelling, and the impact of snow changes on ecosystems and society in Arctic regions. Interdisciplinary activities are required to resolve the current limitations on measuring and modelling snow characteristics through the cold season and at different spatial scales to assure human well-being, economic stability, and improve the ability to predict manage and adapt to natural hazards in the Arctic region.
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| 2. |
- Brandt, Ase, et al.
(author)
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Towards an instrument targeting mobility-related participation: Nordic cross-national reliability
- 2008
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In: Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine. - : Medical Journals Sweden AB. - 1651-2081 .- 1650-1977. ; 40:9, s. 766-772
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective: To investigate test-retest reliability and internal consistency of a new instrument for evaluation of mobility device interventions. Material and methods: The instrument comprised 4 scales and one summed index. Two test-retest interviews involved 147 mobility device users (mean age 60 years) with a broad range of functional limitations, living at home. Results: For 2 scales and the summed index the reliability was substantial or almost perfect (K 0.71/ K-W 0.76/intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.93; confidence interval = 0.90-0.95). The reliability of one scale was moderate (K-w 0.4 1), but after reduction of grades and combination with another scale, it was substantial (K-w 0.66). The reliability of the fourth scale was moderate (K-w 0.55). The internal consistency of 3 scales varied from a 0.63 to 0.76. Conclusion: Even thou,,h the test-retest reliability of all but one of the scales of the new instrument was substantial to almost perfect, this study demonstrated that revision is required. The challenges identified were probably due to the highly complex relationship between outdoor participation while using mobility devices and accessibility to the outdoor physical environment. Thus. based on the results of this study the instrument will be revised and subsequently launched as the "Nordic mobility-related participation outcome evaluation of assistive device intervention" (NOMO instrument). More research on the concept of mobility-related participation and the psychometric qualities of the instrument is required.
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| 3. |
- Jonsdottir, Svandis, et al.
(author)
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Consensus on the competencies required for public health nutrition workforce development in Europe : the JobNut project
- 2011
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In: Public Health Nutrition. - 1368-9800 .- 1475-2727. ; 14:8, s. 1439-1449
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective: To assess and develop consensus among a European panel of public health nutrition stakeholders regarding the competencies required for effective public health nutrition practice and the level of proficiency required in different practice contexts. Design: A modified Delphi study involving three rounds of questionnaires. Setting: European Union. Subjects: Public health nutrition workforce development stakeholders, including academics, practitioners and employers, from twenty European countries. Results: A total of fifty-two expert panellists (84% of an initial panel of sixty-two Delphi participants) completed all three rounds of the Delphi study. The panellists rated the importance of fifty-seven competency units possibly required of a public health nutritionist to effectively practice (Essential competencies). Twenty-nine of the fifty-seven competency units (51%) met the consensus criteria (>= 66.7% agreement) at the second round of the Delphi survey, with the highest agreement for competencies clustered within the Nutrition science, Professional, Analytical and Public health services competency domains. Ratings of the level of competencies required for different levels in the workforce indicated that for a public health nutrition specialist, advanced-level competency was required across almost all the twenty-nine competencies rated as essential. There were limited differences in rating responses between academics and employer panellists throughout the Delphi study. Conclusions: Competencies identified as essential can be used to review current public health nutrition practices and provide the basis for curriculum design and re-development, continuing education and workforce quality assurance systems in Europe. These are all important tools for systematic and strategic workforce development.
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| 4. |
- Jonsdottir, Svandis, et al.
(author)
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Core functions for the public health nutrition workforce in Europe : a consensus study
- 2012
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In: Public Health Nutrition. - Cambridge, United Kingdom : Cambridge University Press. - 1368-9800 .- 1475-2727. ; 15:11, s. 1999-2004
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective: To assess and develop a consensus among a European panel of public health nutrition workforce stakeholders (academics and employers) regarding core functions required for effective public health nutrition practice.Design: A modified Delphi study involving data from two rounds of questionnaires administered among a panel of public health nutrition workforce stakeholders.Setting: Europe.Subjects: A panel of fifty-three public health nutrition development stakeholders, including thirty-three academics and twenty employers, sampled from eighteen European countries.Results: Panellists rated 50 % (19/38) of the initially listed functions as core (i.e. without which public health capacity is limited), using a majority cut-off (>50 %). Out of the nineteen core functions seven were categorised under the heading Intervention management, emphasising high agreement on the importance of managing interventions in public health nutrition work. Only one of the identified core public health nutrition functions was rated differently between academics and employers, suggesting consistent identification of core functions between stakeholder groups.Conclusions: This consensus on core functions of the public health nutrition workforce in Europe can be used to promote a consistent understanding of the role and value of public health nutritionists as a discrete disciplinary sub-specialty of the public health workforce. The convergence of opinions of academics and employers, as well as comparison with previous international studies, indicates that there is a set of core public health nutrition functions transferable between countries that can be used as a benchmark to guide further development of the public health nutrition workforce in Europe.
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| 5. |
- Jonsdottir, Svandis Erna, et al.
(author)
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Adherence to the Nordic Nutrition Recommendations in a Nordic population with metabolic syndrome : high salt consumption and low dietary fibre intake (The SYSDIET study)
- 2013
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In: Food & Nutrition Research. - : SNF Swedish Nutrition Foundation. - 1654-6628 .- 1654-661X. ; 57, s. UNSP 21391-
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: The Nordic countries collaborate in setting recommendations for intake of nutrients by publishing the Nordic Nutrition Recommendations (NNR). Studies exploring how well the Nordic population adheres to the NNR are limited and none are available for the metabolic syndrome (MetS) subgroup. Individuals with MetS are a large part of the adult Nordic population and their diet's nutritional quality is of great importance as it can affect the progression of MetS. Objective: To evaluate nutritional intake in a cohort of Nordic adults with MetS or MetS risk factors and their adherence to the NNR. Design: A multi-centre study was carried out in six centres in four Nordic countries (SYSDIET CoE). Participants (n = 175) were 30-65 years of age, with BMI 27-38 kg/m(2) and had at least two criteria for MetS. The NNR was used to evaluate the baseline nutrient intake calculated from the participants' 4-day food diaries using national nutrient databases. Results: Less than 20% of participants consumed <= 10 E% from saturated fat as recommended in the NNR. Recommended intake (RI) of polyunsaturated fat was met by approximately one-third of participants. Only 20% of men and 26% of women met the RI of dietary fibre. Intake below the defined lower intake level of 2.5 mu g/day for vitamin D was observed in nearly 20% of participants. The daily median intake of salt was 8.8 g for men and 6.7 g for women. Conclusion: Dietary quality of this Nordic population with Mets or MetS risk factors is unsatisfactory and characterised by high intakes of SFA and sodium and low intakes of PUFA and dietary fibre. Vitamin D intake was below RI level in a large part of the population. Authorities in the Nordic countries are encouraged to develop intervention programmes for high-risk groups.
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| 6. |
- Kugelberg, Susanna, et al.
(author)
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Public health nutrition workforce development in seven European countries : constraining and enabling factors
- 2012
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In: Public Health Nutrition. - Cambridge, United Kingdom : Cambridge University Press. - 1368-9800 .- 1475-2727. ; 15:11, s. 1989-1998
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objectives: Little is known about current public health nutrition workforce development in Europe. The present study aimed to understand constraining and enabling factors to workforce development in seven European countries.Design: A qualitative study comprised of semi-structured face-to-face interviews was conducted and content analysis was used to analyse the transcribed interview data.Setting: The study was carried out in Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the UK.Subjects: Sixty key informants participated in the study.Results: There are constraining and enabling factors for public health nutrition workforce development. The main constraining factors relate to the lack of a supportive policy environment, fragmented organizational structures and a workforce that is not cohesive enough to implement public health nutrition strategic initiatives. Enabling factors were identified as the presence of skilled and dedicated individuals who assume roles as leaders and change agents.Conclusions: There is a need to strengthen coordination between policy and implementation of programmes which may operate across the national to local spectrum. Public health organizations are advised to further define aims and objectives relevant to public health nutrition. Leaders and agents of change will play important roles in fostering intersectorial partnerships, advocating for policy change, establishing professional competencies and developing education and training programmes.
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| 7. |
- Magnusdottir, Ola Kally, et al.
(author)
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Plasma Alkylresorcinols Reflect Important Whole-Grain Components of a Healthy Nordic Diet
- 2013
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In: Journal of Nutrition. - : Elsevier BV. - 0022-3166 .- 1541-6100. ; 143:9, s. 1383-1390
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Biomarkers of dietary intake can be important tools in nutrition research. Our aim was to assess whether plasma alkylresorcinol (AR) and beta-carotene concentrations could be used as dietary biomarkers for whole-grain, fruits and vegetables in a healthy Nordic diet (ND). Participants (n = 166), 30-65 y with a body mass index of 27-40 kg/m(2) and two more features of metabolic syndrome (International Diabetes Federation definition, slightly modified), were recruited through six centers in the Nordic countries and randomly assigned to an ND or control diet for 18 or 24 wk, depending on study center. Plasma AR and beta-carotene were analyzed and nutrient intake calculated from 4-d food records. Median fiber intake increased in the ND group from 2.5 g/MJ at baseline to 4.1 g/MJ (P < 0.001) at end point (week 18 or 24), and median (IQR) fasting plasma total AR concentration increased from 73 (88) to 106 (108) nmol/L, or 45%, from baseline to end point (P < 0.001). The AR concentration was significantly higher in the ND group (P < 0.001) than in the control group at end point. beta-Carotene intake tended to increase in the ND group (P = 0.07), but the plasma beta-carotene concentration did not change significantly throughout the study and did not differ between the groups at follow-up. In conclusion, an ND resulted in higher dietary fiber intake and increased plasma total AR concentration compared with the control diet, showing that the total AR concentration might be a valid biomarker for an ND in which whole-grain wheat and rye are important components. No significant difference in plasma beta-carotene concentrations was observed between the ND and control groups, suggesting that beta-carotene may not be a sensitive enough biomarker of the ND.
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