AUDIOVISUALS DISEASE-CANCER

Nutritional Consequences of Cancer, Costa, G. 1978. From Educational Com­munications Center, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY 14214, 38 slides, audiocassette, 44 min., posttest, $35.

Costa clearly outlines the complex metabolic processes that are involved in cancer. The fundamental information covered in this presentation is from many different fields - nutrition, physiology, and pathology - and deals with how can­cer affects body weight, nitrogen balance, and dietary intake. The rationale for nu­tritional therapy is explained. A substan­tial portion of the program is used to de­scribe a few unique kinds of cancer. The researcher will be interested in the scien­tific approach to the metabolic problems of cancer. There are many slides of cancer patients, food intake data, and clinical responses to treatments.

Technically, the audio and visual com­ponents are poorly synchronized in spots, and some may disagree with the answers to a few of the posttest questions. How­ever, this program would be a useful inde­pendent study module or adjunct to lec­tures for students, practitioners in health professions, or researchers interested in the nutritional management of the cancer patient.

Ann Del Tredici, B.S., Ph.D. Candi­date in Nutrition, University o/Califor­nia, Berkeley, CA 94720.

DISEASE-INBORN ERRORS

Current Concepts: Diet and genes­Euphenic nutrition, Scriver, c., 1978. From Educational Communications Cen­ter, State University of New York, Buf­falo, NY 14214, 55 slides, audiocassette, 55 min., posttest, $35.

The importance of evaluating the indi­vidual nutritional requirements for pa­tients with inborn errors of metabolism is stressed in the presentation. Mutant genes result in mutant enzymes which alter the biochemical equilibrium of the body. To treat the illness, the environment of the gene is modified. Scriver describes modes of nutritional treatment in biochemical terminology. Detailed discussions of phenylketonuria (PKU) and the vitamin-D resistant form of rickets illus­trate modes of treatment. Individual

32 JOURNAL OF NUTRITION EDUCATION

variation is emphasized. Many of the slides accompanying this lecture are of biochemical pathways, which are not ex­plained in the presentation and require some familiarity with the biochemistry of nutrients. The accompanying course ob­jectives stress concepts, but the posttest focuses on specific details rather than con­cepts. The presence of a discussion leader knowledgeable in euphenic nutntlOn would be helpfu\. A bibliography for fur­ther study would be another useful addi­tion.

This audiovisual presentation is appro­priate for the continuing education ofphy­sicians, dietitians, and other health care professionals.

Dexter S. Louie, A.B., B.S., Ph.D. Candidate in Nutrition, University 0/ California, Berkeley, CA 94720.

FAST FOODS

The Fast Food Phenomenon. 1979. From Christina Stark, 3415 SW Chintimini Ave., Corvallis, OR 97330, filmstrip, 48 frames, audiocassette (audible cues), 6 min., guide/script, 4 pp., $24.

Ideas on how to upgrade nutrient intake from fast food meals are presented in this short program. It suggests that "if you can't fight it, join it" - but bring your own carrot sticks!

The filmstrip provides a good kickoff for discussion with teen through adult au­diences. However, in that fast foods are viewed only in the scope of a meal rather than within the perspective of daily intake, the statements on calories and fat percent­age are somewhat meaningless without professional interpretation.

FIBER

Dietary Fiber, Kritchevesky, D., 1978. From Educational Communications Cen­ter, State University of New York, Buf­falo, NY 14214, 61 slides, audiocassette, 50 min., posttest, $35.

Dietary fiber and its possible roles in coronary heart disease and colon cancer are discussed in a lecture format. There is some discussion of the chemistry and measurement of fiber, but the majority of the talk consists of a critical examination of animal and human studies of fiber and its effect on lipid and bile acid metabo­lism.

The information is presented at a rapid pace and requires familiarity with inter­preting scientific data. It is a good review

of dietary fiber and the major studies lead­ing to current concepts and is appropriate for advanced nutrition students and re­searchers.

Barbara Lee, M.S., Research Assistant, Department 0/ Nutritional Sciences, University 0/ California, Berkeley, CA 94720.

FOOD INDUSTRY

Raising Cane, 1979. From Redpath Indus­tries, Box 66, Toronto, Ontario M5J 2J2, film, 16 mm, 20 min., $220.

Alfred Hitchcock techniques instantly capture the attention and imply the crim­inality of "raising cane," which in this case is the lifting of a spoonful of sugar out of the sugar bowl for a cup of tea. In the end, however, the "victim" seems to be the audience; and the "crime," that of promoting refined sugar as a necessary, even virtuous, dietary component. Who­dunit? The film is produced by a Cana­dian sugar refiner.

An impressive cast of academic, health, and industry professionals gives a polished presentation of both normal and imbal­anced conditions related to sugars in the body. Technical language is used through­out, yet it seems to be used more for im­pact than for education. Extensive cover­age of refined sugar production is included and varies the pace of the film. When the discussion turns to fitting pleasurable foods into the diet, the evidence seems stacked against basic foods such as milk and oranges, which are noted as having a higher percentage of sugar than soda pop. The concept of nutrient density receives but token attention.

This extremely professional production is designed for use at the advanced second­ary and college levels. lfused, a discussion period putting sugar into perspective with total dietary needs is essential.

NUTRITION AND LEARNING

Nutrition and Mental Development, Winick, M., 1976. From Educational Communications Center, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY 14214, 76 slides, audiocassette, 47 min., postlest, $35.

Comprehensive information on nutri­tion and mental development is presented in this audiovisual recording of Winick's classic lecture on the subject. Winick de­velops his talk from a historical perspec­tive of the most definitive studies on the

VOLUME 12 NUMBER 1 1980