Centre for Nutritional Studies, The Chines University of Hong Kong

The Centre for Nutritional Studies of the Chinese University of Hong Kong was formed in March 1997, with members from a group of workers involved in various areas of nutrition in different departments. The objectives of the Centre are to conduct research, particularly in areas of concern in this region; to promote awareness of the importance of nutrition among students, health care workers, and the public; and to interact with similar organizations in other countries, particularly the Asian Pacific region (collaborative studies, educational opportunities).

To date, members of the group have carried out research in the following areas: Nutritional status of children in communities in Thailand, Malaysia, China and Hong Kong; growth pattern of infants in relation to feeding practices in Chinese; establishment of anthropometric ranges in Chinese children and the elderly; nutritional status of Chinese elderly living in the community and in institutions; relationship between nutritional status and clinical outcomes; association between nutrition and chronic diseases (osteoporosis, hypertension, cataract, neoplasms, diabetes mellitus); interventional studies on the effect of supplementation during recovery from illness; and the development of a parenteral nutrition formula for use in critically ill patients eg. surgical and oncological patients. Members also provide undergraduate and postgtraduate programmes in nutrition for Science and Medical students. The clinical service scope include a 1400 bed acute teaching hostpital, 700 bed convalescent/infirmary hospital, and 30 nursing homes.

Current areas of interest include the assessment of dietary habits and nutritional status of all age groups in the community, providing infromation for recommendations regarding optimum dietary practices; the associations between specific nutrients and health; and nutritional support requirements in vaious clinical states. Future plans include educational/nutritional awareness initiatives, in the form of holding scientific meetings and seminars, and porduction of nutrition manuals for different target groups: students/hospital doctors and other health care workers (eg. carers of nursing homes), and the general public, and health promotion exercises. Research projects will be targetted towards areas of particular concern in this region; overnutirtion in children as well as adults and definition of obesity; role of diet in cardiovascular health (Hong Kong has a low incidence of coronary heart disease compared with Caucasian populations); role of calcium in osteoporosis; institutional undernutrition.