Find an article that
pertains to nutrition and health from a current peer-reviewed scientific
journal. The article must be an Empirical Research Article published within the
last 2 preferably, but 5 years at most. See rubric for guidelines.
Write a summary of
the article (500-750 words) and discuss the significance of the information to
you personally and/or implications for public health and policy.
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
The significance of proper nutrition on overall health and well-being has been well established. As such, it is important that medical college students are well-versed in the latest research regarding this topic. In this article, we will discuss an assignment wherein students are required to find a recent peer-reviewed scientific journal article pertaining to nutrition and health, summarize its contents and discuss its implications for public health and policy.
Answer:
The article selected for this assignment is titled “Dietary Patterns and the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Cohort Studies” by Zhang et al. published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology in 2017. The study aimed to investigate the association between dietary patterns and the risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD).
The study analyzed data from 18 cohort studies with over 2 million participants. The analysis found that adherence to a healthy dietary pattern, which mainly consisted of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and legumes, was associated with a significantly decreased risk of CVD. On the other hand, a dietary pattern consisting of high red and processed meat consumption, refined grains, and sugary drinks was associated with an increased risk of CVD.
From a personal perspective, this study reinforces the importance of a healthy diet in preventive medicine. It is important to note that CVD is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, and simple changes in our dietary patterns can significantly reduce our risk of developing it. From a public health perspective, this study highlights the urgency of implementing policies that promote healthy dietary patterns and discourage unhealthy diets. The study’s findings could help shape public health interventions and inform policymakers to develop and implement effective strategies to combat CVD.
In conclusion, this article highlights the importance of using scientific research to inform medical practice and public health policy. It emphasizes the critical role of a healthy diet in preventing CVD and underscores the need for policy interventions to promote healthy eating habits. Medical college students must be equipped with the latest research to effectively use scientific evidence in their practice and develop evidence-based policies.