Study Title
Metabolic health and COVID-19: A call for greater medical nutrition education.
Principal Investigator
Juliet Burridge, James Bradfield, Ally Jaffee, Iain Broadley, Sumantra Ray.
Affiliation
Nutritank, University of Bristol, NNEdPro Global Centre for Nutrition and Health, University of Cambridge.
Start Date
August 2020.
End Date
August 2020.
Study Type
Correspondence/Editorial.
Study Objective
To highlight the link between poor metabolic health, nutrition, and COVID-19, and emphasize the urgent need for greater nutrition education in medical curricula.
Short Abstract
This correspondence stresses the importance of addressing the metabolic risks associated with COVID-19, such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. It calls for an increase in medical nutrition education as current medical students and professionals report inadequate training in nutrition, with over 70% receiving less than two hours of nutrition education. The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the need for better metabolic health through improved dietary practices, which medical professionals are currently ill-equipped to address.
Study Design
A review of recent literature and recommendations related to COVID-19, metabolic health, and medical education.
Population
Not applicable (editorial).
Sample Size
Not applicable.
Inclusion Criteria
Not applicable.
Exclusion Criteria
Not applicable.
Intervention/Exposure
Discussion on the role of nutrition in improving metabolic health and managing the COVID-19 pandemic.
Outcome Measures
- The role of nutrition in acute treatment and prevention of COVID-19 complications.
- The inadequacy of nutrition education in medical training.
- The need for structural changes to medical curricula to include more comprehensive nutrition training.
Funding Source
No specific funding declared.
Collaborating Institutions
Nutritank, University of Bristol, NNEdPro Global Centre for Nutrition and Health.
Ethics Approval
Not required (editorial).
Publication Status
Published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, August 2020.
Keywords
Metabolic health, COVID-19, medical nutrition education, diabetes, obesity.
Data Collection Methods
Not applicable.
Primary Data Availability
Not applicable.
Contact Information
Dr. Sumantra Ray,