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Diversity, Genetics, And Health Benefits Of Sorghum Grain, Davina Rhodes

Theses and Dissertations

Staple cereal crops provide the majority of nutrients to the world's population, and thus, can significantly impact human nutrition and health. Phenotypic and genetic diversity within a crop can be useful for biofortification and crop improvement, but quantitative phenotyping is needed to identify varieties with high or low concentrations of a nutrient of interest, and to identify alleles responsible for quantitative trait variation of the nutrient. Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] is a diverse and widely adapted cereal crop that provides food for more than 500 million people in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia, and is becoming increasingly popular in specialty …

Food Purchasing Habits Of Participants In The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Snap) Among Shelby County, Tennessee Residents, Michelle Ann Miller

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a government entitlement program that provides monetary assistance for participants to consistently acquire adequate food. Many unanswered questions remain regarding nutrition quality of SNAP purchases. Eighty-four SNAP participants were surveyed at food pantries throughout Shelby County, TN to obtain a descriptive analysis of participant purchasing habits. The majority of households received $150 or less per month in benefits, which were spent most frequently at convenience stores (n=42) and in bakeries/delis (n=44). 77% (n=65) of participants reported experiencing times while utilizing SNAP benefits where there was not enough food to feed his/her family. Meat …

Study Of A Contemporary Diet In One Household In The Yucatan, Ericka K. Hardin

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

The history of the Yucatan has played a major role in the development of the food system of the area and the nutritional status of the population. Originating from an agricultural based diet, which forms the foundation of the traditional Yucatan diet, there has been a recent shift away from whole and natural foods to a more processed and convenient food supply due to the influx of American products and culture. Coinciding with the influx of these unhealthy foods, there has also been a rise in the health problems of the Mexican population such as heart disease and diabetes, both …

Farmers Markets In Urban Us Counties: The Relationship Between Income, Obesity, And Access, Mia El-Hamaki

Earth and Environmental Sciences Presentations

In the last decade there has been a convergence of factors that have contributed to an increase in food deserts, obesity, and income inequality in the US. Two-thirds of US adults are overweight or obese. This prevalence disproportionately affects low income areas with high minority populations (Ruelas et al., 2012). Simultaneously, research shows that grocery stores are tending to move away from low income, inner city communities and towards affluent urban and suburban areas. In order to combat the growing food deserts and obesity rates as a result of this shift, farmers markets have been proposed and utilized as a …

Health Professionals’ Roles In Animal Agriculture, Climate Change, And Human Health, Aysha Z. Akhtar, Michael Greger, Hope Ferdowsian, Erica Frank

Michael Greger, MD, FACLM

What we eat is rapidly becoming an issue of global concern. With food shortages, the rise in chronic disease, and global warming, the impact of our dietary choices seems more relevant today than ever. Globally, a transition is taking place toward greater consumption of foods of animal origin, in lieu of plantbased diets. With this transition comes intensification of animal agriculture that in turn is associated with the emergence of zoonotic infectious diseases, environmental degradation, and the epidemics of chronic disease and obesity. Health professionals should be aware of these trends and consider them as they promote healthier and more …

Nutrition-Related Conditions Among Children Of Migrant And Seasonal Farmworkers In The United States: Causes And Solutions, Rebecca Halvorson

Food Science and Nutrition

The purpose of this literature review is to determine the prevalence of nutrition-related conditions among children of migrant and seasonal farmworkers (MSFW) compared to national averages, as well as effectiveness of strategies for minimizing any health discrepancies. MSFW live under harsh conditions, engage in long hours of physically demanding labor, and receive insufficient income. Compounding demographic characteristics create insurmountable barriers to quality health care and nutrition education resulting in disproportionately unhealthy children within the MSFW population as compared to the greater US population. The prevalence of overweight, obesity, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, and numerous infections is higher among MSFW children. …

The Nutrient Intake Of Homeless Women Of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Emily D. Popma-Metsaars

Masters Theses

Background Homeless individuals comprise about 1% of the American population with 1/3 of this particular population being women. And despite the potential for hunger, the homeless population has a similar prevalence of overweight/obese as other Americans. The Heartside neighborhood of Grand Rapids is a very low-income area of the city, inhabited by the poor and homeless. The Food Access in Michigan Project is studying the relationship between food insecurity and food environments in Michigan.

Objectives The purpose of this study was to determine the characteristics of the diet of homeless women in Heartside. This study examined the level of food …

Biomarkers Of Inflammation, Metabolism, And Oxidative Stress In Blood, Liver, And Milk Reveal A Better Immunometabolic Status In Peripartal Cows Supplemented With Smartamine M Or Metasmart, J. S. Osorio, E. Trevisi, P. Ji, J. K. Drackley, D. Luchini, G. Bertoni, J. J. Loor

Physiology Collection

The peripartal dairy cow experiences a state of reduced liver function coupled with increased inflammation and oxidative stress. This study evaluated the effect of supplementing basal diets with rumen-protected Met in the form of MetaSmart (MS) or Smartamine M (SM) (both from Adisseo Inc., Antony, France) during the peripartal period on blood and hepatic biomarkers of liver function, inflammation, and oxidative stress. Thirty-seven multiparous Holstein cows were fed the same basal diet from −50 to −21 d relative to expected calving [1.24 Mcal/kg of dry matter (DM); no Met supplementation]. From −21 d to calving, the cows received diets …

Nutrition Knowledge Of High School Senior Students In Northwest Arkansas, Grace Heymsfield

General Human Environmental Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses

Numerous changes in school environment regarding nutrition have been implemented in Arkansas, but there is no means in place of testing nutrition curriculum effectiveness in terms of nutrition knowledge of students. High school senior students completed a validated nutrition knowledge survey regarding the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2010. Further testing with a larger sample size is recommended.

Evaluation Of Low-Tannin Grain Sorghum In Broiler Chicken Diets, Samantha Aniecia Shelton

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Research trials were conducted to evaluate the effects of different levels of dietary grain sorghum on broiler live performance, carcass yield and shank (leg) and breast skin coloring. Iso-caloric diets were formulated where sorghum replaced corn at rates of 0% (control), 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100% for a total of 6 diets. For each of the two trials, 1500 Cobb 500 male broiler chicks were randomly allocated to 60 pens with 25 birds per pen (10 pens/diet) and grown to 46 days for the first research trial and 41 days for the second. There were no differences (P>.05) …

Pilot Study Of A Budget-Tailored Culinary Nutrition Education Program For Undergraduate Food Science Students, Dorothy Kerrison

All Theses

The primary objective of this pilot study is to provide evidence that a budget-tailored culinary nutrition program is both appropriate and applicable to undergraduate food science students both in everyday life as well as their future health careers. Two validated programs were combined into one program in order to evaluate their combined effects: Cooking With a Chef and Cooking Matters at the Store. The secondary objective of this pilot study is to evaluate the components and reliability of a questionnaire created specifically for this pilot study. A review of past literature was written, which included culinary nutrition as a source …

E-Coaching For Weight Loss, Jennifer Warren

Jennifer Warren

Chocolate-Candy Consumption And Three-Year Weight Gain Among Postmenopausal U.S. Women, James A. Greenberg, Joann E. Manson, Brian Buijsse, Lu Wang, Matthew A. Allison, Marian L. Neuhouser, Lesley Tinker, Molly E. Waring, Carmen R. Isasi, Lisa W. Martin, Cynthia A. Thomson

Publications and Research

OBJECTIVE To test the hypothesis that greater chocolate-candy intake is associated with more weight gain in postmenopausal women. DESIGN AND METHODS Prospective cohort study involving 107,243 post-menopausal American women aged 50–79 years (mean=60.7) at enrolment in the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI), with three-year follow up. Chocolate-candy consumption was assessed by food frequency questionnaire and body weight was measured. Linear mixed models, adjusted for demographic, socio-economic, anthropomorphic and behavioral variables, were used to test our main hypotheses. RESULTS Compared to women who ate a 1 oz (~28 g) serving of chocolate candy <1 per month, those who ate this amount 1 per month to <1 per week, 1 per week to < 3 per week and ≥3 per week showed greater three-year prospective weight gains (kg) of 0.76 (95% CI: 0.66, 0.85), 0.95 (0.84, 1.06) and 1.40 (1.27, 1.53), respectively, (p for linear trend<0.0001). Each additional 1 oz/day was associated with a greater three-year weight gain (kg) of 0.92 (0.80, 1.05). The weight gain in each chocolate-candy intake level increased as BMI increased above the normal range (18.5–25 kg/m2), and as age decreased. CONCLUSIONS Greater chocolate-candy intake was associated with greater prospective weight gain in this cohort of post-menopausal women.

My News

My News (2014-2020)

• Stay Healthy During the Holidays with these Tips from a Georgia Southern Nutritionist
• Athletics Department Says 'Thank You' and Farewell Seniors
• Dr. Brian Deloach Urges Campus to Travel with Caution this Holiday Season
• Take Advantage of Black Friday on the Golf Course
• Thanksgiving Break Special Hours of Operation
• Warm Clothing Available for Those in Need
• U.S. National Tick Collection Temporarily Closed to Visitors
• Holiday Helper Tree Tags Still Available
• Register Now to Run the 'Boro

Parental Perception Of Healty Eating And Physical Activity: Results From A Preliminary Photovoice Study, Nicole Mareno

Faculty and Research Publications

The aim of this study was to explore parental perception of assets and barriers of healthy eating and physical activity among a group of diverse, economically disadvantaged mothers in southeastern USA.

Intuitive Eating, Attitudes To Food, And Body Size: A Comparison Between Nutrition Majors And Non-Majors, Katelyn Russell

Masters Theses

Dietitians are expected to deliver sound and scientifically objective advice to the general public, yet their personal beliefs and behaviors could influence delivery of nutrition care. Increased understanding of the personal attitudes and behaviors of dietitians concerning eating behavior and body image could help improve dietetic practice. Traditional nutrition education emphasizes cognitive eating, i.e., monitoring energy intake and comparing macronutrient intakes to the current acceptable ranges. Intuitive eating, however, promotes the release of cognitive eating in favor of greater attention to physiologic cues, or “body wisdom”. We hypothesized that nutrition students in a traditional curriculum would report eating less intuitively …

Flax: Food And Fiber, Madeleine K. Charney

Madeleine K. Charney

Highlights the versatile and nutritious flax plant, now cultivated worldwide.

Nutrition And Prevention Of Alzheimer's Dementia, Arun Swaminathan, Gregory A. Jicha

Neurology Faculty Publications

A nutritional approach to prevent, slow, or halt the progression of disease is a promising strategy that has been widely investigated. Much epidemiologic data suggests that nutritional intake may influence the development and progression of Alzheimer’s dementia (AD). Modifiable, environmental causes of AD include potential metabolic derangements caused by dietary insufficiency and or excess that may be corrected by nutritional supplementation and or dietary modification. Many nutritional supplements contain a myriad of health promoting constituents (anti-oxidants, vitamins, trace minerals, flavonoids, lipids, …etc.) that may have novel mechanisms of action affecting cellular health and regeneration, the aging process itself, or may …

Exclusive Breastfeeding And Breastfeeding In Newspapers: Analysis Of Frames, Content, And Valence, Amanda E. Hamilton, Moira Lewis

Proceedings of the New York State Communication Association

Exclusive breastfeeding and breastfeeding durations in the United States are shorter than recommended. No U.S. media content analyses assess exclusive breastfeeding. No studies assess exclusive breastfeeding or breastfeeding portrayals in U.S. newspapers. We fill these gaps. Framing theory suggests media present breastfeeding in particular ways and that such presentations impact breastfeeding. We contribute a systematic theoretical approach to the study of exclusive breastfeeding and breastfeeding representations in 819 newspaper articles published across five U.S. regions. This study is limited by its focus on newspapers. However, since exclusive breastfeeding information is identified using a systematic theoretical approach this study contributes new …

Hss Departmental Developments Fall 2014, Department Of Health And Sport Sciences

Health and Sport Sciences Newsletter

• Health Professions Club by Kailee Cialella
• Rike 40th Anniversary Celebration
• HSS Comprehensive Campaign Challenge
• Updates from the Majors
• The Strengths Perspective by Patti Wilson, MC
• New Turf & Track
• A Message from the Chair by Dr. Joan Rocks

Hss Alumni News Fall 2014, Department Of Health And Sport Sciences

Health and Sport Sciences Newsletter

• Becoming A Leader by Rachel Puthoff
• Rike Dance/Fitness Room Remodel
• Updates from the Majors
• A Message from the Chair by Dr. Joan Rocks

Factors Influencing Latino Participation In Community-Based Diabetes Education, Sarah L. Francis, Amber Noteman, Ruth Litchfield

The Journal of Extension

An Extension diabetes program (DP) was revised for Latinos; however, participation was limited. Factors influencing low participation rates were examined. Five Latinos interested in the DP participated in a focus group discussion. Transcripts were analyzed for themes. Preferred education programs were multi-session, local, group classes led by an engaging teacher during the summer. Participants learned of the DP through friends and Extension; preferred marketing strategies were Spanish radio, local health clinics, and Spanish-print media. Attendance barriers included scheduling conflicts. Limited use of culturally preferred marketing and scheduling conflicts were likely barriers. Culturally appropriate programs should use culturally preferred marketing strategies …

Killer Kidney Beans?, Karin Allen, Debra Proctor

All Current Publications

This fact sheet describes how to safely cook dry beans.

The Government Of Kenya Cash Transfer For Orphaned And Vulnerable Children: Cross-Sectional Comparison Of Household And Individual Characteristics Of Those With And Without, Lukoye Atwoli, Lonnie Embleton, Julius Koech, Paula Braitstein, Allan Kamanda

Internal Medicine, East Africa

Background: The ‘Cash Transfer to Orphans and Vulnerable Children’ (CT-OVC) in Kenya is a government-supported program intended to provide regular and predictable cash transfers (CT) to poor households taking care of OVC. CT programs can be an effective means of alleviating poverty and facilitating the attainment of an adequate standard of living for people’s health and well-being and other international human rights. The objective of this analysis was to compare the household socioeconomic status, school enrolment, nutritional status, and future outlook of orphaned and separated children receiving the CT compared to those not receiving a CT.

Methods: This project analyzes …

Munch A Bunch, Ginger D. Cameron

Pharmacy Practice Faculty Presentations

No abstract provided.

Asset Holdings And Undernutrition Of Young Children: Evidence From China Health And Nutrition Survey, Minchao Jin

All Theses and Dissertations (ETDs)

Undernutrition is an underlying determinant of 45% of all childhood deaths annually, resulting in 3.1 million deaths to children less than five years globally (Black et al., 2013). The adverse effects of undernutrition, especially chronic undernutrition, could cause impaired physical growth, mental development retardation, low productivity and poverty during adulthood, and undernutrition of next generation. Worldwide, over 200 million children are undernourished (Black et al., 2013). Thus, there is an imperative to identify effective preventive actions or interventions for child undernutrition. Studies have documented links between undernutrition and low income, but few has tackling the causation from assets to child …

Childhood Obesity Fieldwork Summary Report: The Food Education Project, Maria De Rosario Vasquez

Master's Projects and Capstones

Childhood Obesity and diabetes is on the rise and the health risk for developing various diseases is a major public health issue. This paper examines the public health issue on childhood obesity and diabetes. This paper explains the importance and magnitude of this problem by providing statistics, research efforts, educational efforts and the importance of preventing childhood obesity and diabetes. The paper will summarize, explain observations and provide insight on fieldwork completed through a project called The Food Education Project. The project focuses on addressing the major public health problem through educating children and adolescents on health, nutrition, food and …

White-Tailed Deer (Odocoileus Virginianus) Population Dynamics In A Multi-Predator Landscape, Jared Fitzgerald Duquette

Theses and Dissertations

Indices of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) abundance in the western Upper Peninsula of Michigan suggested the population declined 40% from the previous 5 year mean following 2 consecutive severe winters in the mid-1990s and has not since increased in population size. I collected estimates and assessed biological and environmental covariates of survival and recruitment of fawns (< 1 year old) and age-specific reproductive and survival rates of adult females (> 1.6 years old) in the southwestern Upper Peninsula of Michigan from 2009–2011. Reproduction did not appear to regulate population growth, as 92 percent of females were pregnant. Annual survival of adult females was 70 percent across years, but poorer annual survival of fawns …

Nutrition, Appetite And Weight Loss In Elders Living In Long-Term Care Facilities, Karene Marie Goodman

Dissertations

Abstract Elders living in long-term care facilities often experience weight loss. Weight loss in elders has been shown to increase their risk of death. Existing research has identified numerous factors associated with appetite and weight loss in elders. Dementia, depression, acute and chronic illness, and medications have all been identified as potential causes of decreased appetite and weight loss in elders. Only a few nutritional and appetite assessment tools exist, and these tools are not widely used in long-term care facilities. The purpose of this descriptive study was to validate the Simplified Nutritional Appetite Questionnaire (SNAQ), an appetite assessment tool …

Protein-Related Knowledge, Perceptions, Sources Of Information, And Behaviors Among College-Age Males, Amy Leigh Sparks

Masters Theses

The objective of this study was to describe thoughts, knowledge, and dietary practices with regard to protein, and how these factors related to current recommendations among college-age males. A convenience sample of non-athlete college-age males (n=47), ages 18-24 years, completed 7 day dietary records (analyzed using NDSR), accelerometer assessments, anthropometric assessments (height, weight, waist circumference, and Bod Pod), and a brief semi-structured interview on protein knowledge and behaviors.

Participants were grouped according to protein intake with 15% consuming less than 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day (g/kg/d), 70% consuming 0.8-1.99 g/kg/d, and 15% consuming ≥2 …