By Dr. Sean Wells, DPT, PT, OCS, ATC/L, CSCS, NSCA-CPT, CNPT, Cert-DN

In recent years, the influence of the United States' food industry has extended its reach beyond traditional methods like lobbying, governmental appointments, and dietary guideline manipulation. According to a Washington Post report, the food industry has now set its sights on a new arena: social media.

Background:

In a strategy reminiscent of tactics employed by the tobacco industry, prominent players in the food sector, particularly big sugar and supplement companies, have been discreetly compensating dietitians to generate content on their social media platforms. These covert actions have raised concerns akin to the obfuscation campaigns witnessed during the heyday of big tobacco. The central figures in this evolving controversy are dietitians who wield significant influence as social media influencers.

The issue of dietitians, or RDs, succumbing to the sway of the food industry is not novel. It revolves aroun...

Nutrition Guidelines for Corona Virus

The European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism, also known as ESPEN, have released pre-published guidelines for clinicians to consider for patients with COVID-19 (novel Corona virus). The guidelines offer a great breakdown of evidenced-based statements related to managing patients in the intensive care unit (ICU), outpatient and those in quarantine.

Relevance to PT Practice

Physical therapists (PTs) are considered essential during the COVID-19 crisis. Physical therapists are being utilized in ICUs to help position patients, particularly in prone, which helps to improve lung perfusion. Moreover, PTs are helping mobilize and get those stronger after being infected. Let's look at the ESPEN Statements and see how they impact PT practice.

One of the first pieces of guidance ESPEN offers is that patients with COVID-19 should be screened for malnutrition. Some PTs are trained in nutritional screening, which will facilitate the immediate co...