Life Sciences Commons^™

The Effects Of Intermittent Fasting On Female Athletes: A Systematic Review, Courtnie Scarbrough

Theses and Dissertations

The intermittent fasting diet has a historical past, but recently, it has regained popularity as a weight loss strategy for the general public. Athletes have also picked up this specialized diet in search of a competitive edge. There are ample studies testing athletes of all levels, but most do not include females or report sex-specific results. This systematic review aimed to identify current research on the effects of intermittent fasting in the understudied population of female athletes. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, a comprehensive search was conducted in three databases, including PubMed, Cochrane, …

Effectiveness Of Intervention Studies Based On Diet And/Or Physical Activity In Treatment, Prevention, And Management Of Diabetes Among South Asians: A Systematic Review, Ishaan Arora

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to describe diet and/or physical activity-based interventions and their control in cardiometabolic risk factors of diabetes for the South Asian (SA) population. A systematic review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. Seventeen randomized control trials meeting the inclusion criteria were included for analysis. Interventions with type-2 diabetic SA showed significant improvements in HbA1c% (4/5 studies), fasting blood glucose (3/4 studies), and postprandial glucose (2/2 studies). Interventions with at-risk/prediabetic and non-diabetic SA showed a modest change in overall outcomes, with significant change reported for post-prandial insulin (3/4 studies), BMI and weight (2/4 studies), …

Impact Of Daily Sweet Potato Ingestion On Alterations To The Gut Microbiome, Cholesterol, And Exercise Performance, Johneric William Smith

Theses and Dissertations

The importance of the gut microbiome is being explored in relation to multiple facets of health and performance. The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of frequent sweet potato ingestion on alterations of the gut microbiome which might in turn alter cholesterol levels and exercise performance. Thirteen recreationally trained males had fecal and blood samples collected and exercised to fatigue with and without exogenous carbohydrate ingestion prior to and following 42 days of daily sweet potato ingestion. Bacterial communities were extracted from fecal samples and bacterial DNA were sequence. Blood samples were analyzed for total cholesterol, low-density …

Healthy Eating Index And Body Fat Distribution, Masar Ozrail

Theses and Dissertations

Body fat distribution has been identified as a more significant risk factor for metabolic-related diseases. This study investigated whether body fat distribution affects dietary outcomes (quality and intake), anthropometric measures, body composition, and skin carotenoid levels. A cross-sectional study with 91 female students was conducted. Thirty-one percent of participants (n=28) had an android body fat distribution. Body fat distribution was associated with WC and WHtR (p

The Influence Of Taste Sensitivity To 6-N-Propylthiouracil (Prop) On Anthropometric Measurements, Body Composition, And Eating Behaviors Among Female College Students, Abeer Mohammedsharief Alardawi

Theses and Dissertations

Taste is one of the crucial factors that contributes to shaping eating behaviors and is also one of the leading reasons that affects our preferences to like or dislike some foods that mainly have a bitter taste. Variation in bitter phenotype (tasters and non-tasters) could influence diet quality and in turn body weight, which overall influenced health outcomes. The objective of this study was to identify whether bitter taste phenotype status influences anthropometric measurements, body fat percentage, and eating behaviors (liking and intake) in female college students. In this cross-sectional study (n = 86), female college students aged 18 to …

Attitudes Towards Breastfeeding Among College Students At Mississippi State University, Kristin F. Williford

Theses and Dissertations

Breastfeeding rates in America are lower than other high-income countries, with Mississippi having one of the lowest rates. A survey using the Iowa Infant Feeding Attitude Scale (IIFAS) was distributed twice to Mississippi State University students to understand their breastfeeding attitudes. Attitudes were determined by calculating a composite score and conducting statistical tests for significance. Knowledge between health and non-health related majors were explored by using five statements, and attitudes towards the statement “Breastmilk is the ideal food for babies” were compared across demographics. Of 642 respondents, the composite score was 57.3 out of 85, and all demographics had a …

Nutrients Associated With Stunting Among Children In Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review, Abby Mae Reynolds

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to identify specific nutrients or nutritional biomarkers of dietary intake that are associated with stunting among children ages 2 and older in sub-Saharan Africa. This is a systematic review conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Twelve studies from sub-Saharan Africa met the eligibility criteria, including 11 observational studies and one randomized control trial. Nine of the 12 studies assessed dietary intake of macronutrients. Four studies found a significant association between proteins and stunting. Four found that children with stunting had lower dietary fat intakes or lower …

Food Insecurity And Depression Among Us Adults: The National Health And Nutrition Examination Survey, Nicole Reeder

Theses and Dissertations

Food insecurity has long been a global challenge associated with negative health outcomes. The spectrum of food insecurity corresponds to a spectrum of negative health outcomes that range from kwashiorkor and marasmus to obesity and chronic disease. The burden of food insecurity is a stressor that additionally negatively effects mental health. In this study, the relationship between food insecurity and mental health was examined using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Food insecurity was assessed with the 18-item United States Food Security Survey Module, and participants were classified into one of four categories based on their …

Optimized Selenium Status, Gut Microbiota, And Type 2 Diabetes, Ying-Chen Huang

Theses and Dissertations

We have previously demonstrated that long-term dietary Se deficiency in old Terc^-/- mice with humanized telomeres induces type-2 diabetes and exacerbates age-dependent increases in the abundance of A. muciniphila and Lachnospiraceae, which are related to obesity and metabolic syndromes. The objectives of this dissertation are: 1) to determine the minimum intake of Se required for type 2 diabetes prevention in middle-aged mice; 2) to evaluate the efficacy of A. muciniphila and R. torques (a Lachnospiraceae family member) to intervene dietary Se deficiency-induced type 2 diabetes and the underlying mechanisms; 3) to assess sex differences in the responses to …

The Relationship Between Single Nucleotide Polymorphism In Taste Receptor Genes And Body Composition, Energy Intake, And Macronutrient Consumption In Young Adults​, Manal Abbas Sunbul

Theses and Dissertations

Genetic variations in taste receptor genes play a notable role in human taste perception and food preferences and intake, which may affect nutritional and health status. Understanding how genetic variations in taste receptor genes influence food perception, preferences, and intake can play an important role in designing effective interventions to improve the quality of peoples' nutrition and minimize the risk of diet-related diseases such as obesity. The objective of this study was to investigate single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of umami taste receptor gene TAS1R1 and GRM4 and sweet taste receptor gene TAS1R3 and percentage of body fat mass (BF%) among …

Physiological Roles Of Selenoprotein H In Mice, Qingzhou Wang

Theses and Dissertations

Low-hierarchy selenoproteins are sensitive to selenium (Se) deficiency and are proposed to confer the protection of body Se against age- and development-related diseases. Selenoprotein H (SELENOH), a low-hierarchy selenoprotein, is greatly downregulated by both dietary Se deficiency and age. To explore physiological roles of SELENOH, Selenoh knockout mice were employed.

Segregation analyses demonstrated reduced frequencies of homozygotes and heterozygotes among the neonates of the breeding combinations of Selenoh^+/- males vs. Selenoh^+/- or Selenoh^-/- females, demonstrating essential roles of SELENOH in embryogenesis. Litter sizes from these two breeding groups were comparable with control, suggesting a role of SELENOH …

Relationship Of Winter Hair Coat Shedding Ability Of Purebred Angus Dams With Mineral Status, Apparent Forage Digestibility, Uterine Artery Hemodynamics, And Calf Growth And Development, Randy Hunter Burnett

Theses and Dissertations

Winter hair coat shedding ability in southern U.S. cattle production has previously been associated with differences in adjusted birth and weaning weights of calves from dams that shed by June or later (Gray et al., 2011; Cauble et al., 2019). This study was developed to research possible avenues of why these relationships exist with winter hair coat shedding ability. The primary objectives of the following experiments were to: 1) evaluate how mineral status relates to winter hair coat shedding ability, 2) evaluate how winter hair coat shedding ability relates to apparent digestibility of forage, 3) evaluate winter hair coat shedding …

Blood Glucose As A Predictor Of Resting Lactate, Hrpr, And Hra As Measured By Method Cra, Sean Pavlick

Theses and Dissertations

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine fasted blood glucose as a predictor of lactate levels measured by Method CRA. Method: Participants and data for the present study were collected by employees of an orthopedic rehabilitation center in Bloomington, Illinois. Participants recruited for the study followed the Method CRA upright cycle testing protocol. Fasted blood glucose, resting lactate, and heart rate measurements at Prime (2 mmol/L) and Anaerobic (4 mmol/L) were recorded. Blood was sampled every three minutes during exercise testing. The total sample size of 35 was examined as well as two subgroups, BMI > 30 group and …

Perceptions Of Residents Living In A Food Desert On The Impact Of A Community-Supported Agriculture Pilot Program, Jessica Thome

Theses and Dissertations

Objective: The purpose of the study was to examine perspectives on food access among a low-income, food desert community through participation in a grant funded CSA program.Design: Healthy Eating Program is a pilot program assessing the effect of a CSA intervention on health among residents living in a food desert. Participants were surveyed through an initial survey and final survey with questions regarding perceived health status and daily food stressors. Data was collected through Qualtrics and analyzed using SPSS. Setting: Low-income, food desert community residing in the Westside of Bloomington, Illinois. Participants: Forty participants 18 years or older, low-income and …

Exploring The Impact Of Utilizing Real Patients During Nutrition Counseling Training, Ashlyn R. Hayes

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the educational advantages real patients can offer dietetic students in nutrition counseling training. In addition, this study observed the impact of training with real patients on dietetic students' nutrition counseling confidence. Six dietetic students were purposefully selected to participate in semi-structured individual interviews. Students expressed their opinions and experiences regarding their nutrition counseling training sessions with both simulated and real patients. Each interview was audio-recorded and later transcribed verbatim. Using a grounded theory approach, key themes were identified from the data. Findings from this study indicated that practicing nutrition counseling with real …

The Effect Of Dietary Fiber On Epigenetic Regulation Of Gene Expression In Hemodialysis Patients, Isabelle Strack

Theses and Dissertations

Objective: More than 2/3 of those with kidney failure use hemodialysis as a treatment option. The purpose of this pilot study is to increase the understanding of the epigenetic changes that occur in hemodialysis patients through dietary fiber intake. Design and Methods: Gene expression through epigenetic changes of dietary fiber intake and soluble fiber intake were analyzed in this cross-sectional study. Data was collected from questionnaires and blood samples (n=20). Block Dialysis Food Frequency Questionnaire was used to calculate dietary fiber intake. Blood analysis counted the top 100 most prevalent microRNAs (miRNA). Pearson r correlation was used to determine level …

The Impact Of Anthropometric Measurements On Lactate Levels At Rest And During Exercise, Ashley Kristine Edwards

Theses and Dissertations

49 Pages

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between anthropometric measures with heart rates (HR) at specific blood lactate concentrations [bLa] during exercise.

Method: Participants and data for this study were collected by an orthopedic rehabilitation center in Central Illinois. Participants underwent lactate testing following METHOD CRA protocol on an upright cycle and an optional DEXA scan. Heart rate values at Prime (2 mmol/L), Anaerobic (4 mmol/L) and Peak (6 mmol//L) blood lactate concentrations were recorded. Data was analyzed using Pearson correlations.

Results: A total of 59 participants were included. Participants ages ranged from 21 …

The Effects Of Nutrition Smartphone Applications On Parents’ Grocery Shopping And Meal Planning Behaviors, Lacey Bertram

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this experimental research study was to determine the effects that nutrition smartphone applications, specifically grocery list generation applications, have on parents’ overall grocery shopping experience and meal planning behaviors for their families. The prevalence of adolescent obesity in today’s society has significantly increased to an alarming rate and family mealtimes together have decreased. Family mealtimes together can impact a child’s weight status and future health outcomes. A total of 10 participants investigated and classified the aspects in a nutrition smartphone application that were beneficial to meal planning and grocery shopping. The findings indicated that a nutrition smartphone …

Social Media Posts' Influence On College Athletes' Protein Knowledge, Kriston T. Love

Theses and Dissertations

This research aimed to examine how Instagram can be used as a means of education for collegiate athletes and their knowledge of protein. More specifically this research aimed to compare the prior knowledge about protein that collegiate athletes have to the knowledge they may have retained after being exposed to posts on Instagram about protein. It also aimed to determine the knowledge of protein collegiate athletes already had and if their sport and year in school influenced their protein knowledge. This study surveyed Division I collegiate athletes on their social media use and knowledge of protein before and after being …

Blend Uniformity And Vitamin Stability In Dairy-Based Foods Fortified With Lipid-Encapsulated Ferrous Sulfate, Garth Anthony Lee

Theses and Dissertations

Homogeneity of powder blends is an important metric for industrial applications in fortified dairy foods including commercial pediatric nutrition products. Product development practices evaluating physical properties and nutrient stability performance are reliant on blending parameters that deliver a uniform powder at both the pilot and commercial scale. Quantities of individual micronutrients in finished products are particularly critical for formulated infant foods. The two preliminary phases of this study focused on developing a simple, efficient method, specifically for a pilot scale ribbon blender, in which maximum homogeneity in fortified dairy-based powder blends could be reached. In phase one, a red iron …

A Qualitative Study Of The Genesis Of A Community Food Pantry For Students Of Higher Education, Elizabeth Fast

Theses and Dissertations

Objective: The purpose of this case study was to understand the development of a food pantry for students of higher education at a Midwestern university.

Methods: The researchers recruited 11 individuals on the food pantry’s board using a snowball sampling method to participate in a 30-minute interview about the food pantry’s development from conception to implementation. The interviews were transcribed and then qualitatively analyzed by two researchers. The researchers coded interviews separately to identify frequent commonalities between participant responses. The researchers then organized the codes into themes, which were then summarized in the results of this study.

Results: The first …

The Effects Of Nutrition Claims On Consumer Purchasing Of Snacks In White Collar And Blue Collar Working Environments, Cecily Rose Martinez

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this experimental study was to determine if signage of nutrition claims increased the purchasing of snacks in white collar and blue collar working environments. Additionally, the study also observed if the nutrition claims were more effective in one working class over the other. The prevalence of obesity in employed adults has significantly increased in the last decade. Dietary patterns, including snacking habits, have been found to play a significant role in the decline of working adults’ health. The percentage change formula was utilized as the statistical analysis for this study. This analysis evaluated the changes in the …

Effects Of Video Technology On Cooking Self-Efficacy, Zakary Kaesberg

Theses and Dissertations

College students, on average, have poor nutritional habits associated with increasing risk of obesity and chronic disease later in life. Today’s average student has low self-efficacy for cooking meals in the home and thus, is highly dependent on convenience-type food items. A valuable technique for improving cooking skill in individuals is through the use of video technology to teach cooking. Undergraduate students are likely Millennials, and prefer to use technology for learning purposes. The objective of this study was to test the effect of video technology on cooking self-efficacy in undergraduate college students living off-campus at a public Midwestern University. …

Leaf Fiber Strength And Fruit Nutrient Content Of Yucca Species Native To The Navajo Nation, Anna Therese Bartlett

Theses and Dissertations

The strength of leaf fibers and the nutritional value of the edible fruit of several yucca species native to the U.S. southwest were studied to aid in the determination of species best suited for commercial cultivation by the Navajo Nation. The leaves were softened in an autoclave to facilitate the removal of the leaf matrix, conditioned in environmentally controlled chambers, and the fibers were broken using a texture analyzer. The fibers were frozen and cross sectioned and photographed to determine cross sectional area. Official methods were used to determine the nutritional content of the fruit. The mean tensile strength of …

Sensory Acceptability And Nutrient Stability In Micronutrient-Fortified Soymilk Prepared In Small-Scale Batch Processes, Dallin Max Hardy

Theses and Dissertations

Fortified and unfortified soymilk were produced from the same production batches for comparative evaluation. Fortification included a comprehensive array of micronutrients of interest to community and humanitarian nutrition programs. The effects of time after fortification prior to cooling, cooling method, and light or dark refrigerated storage on the stability of 5 vitamins (vitamin A, vitamin C, thiamine, riboflavin, and folate) were investigated for both fortified and unfortified soymilk. Significant vitamin C loss (6%) and mild vitamin A isomerization occurred while soymilk was hot immediately following fortification. Cooling bottled soymilk in an ambient water bath or ice water bath made no …

An Observational Study Of Physicochemical Changes In Cheddar Enzyme-Modified Cheese During Incubation, David Gary Doxey

Theses and Dissertations

This study is an observation of the various physicochemical changes that occur in enzyme-modified cheese (EMC) during the incubation step of production. The purpose of this study was an attempt to gain a better understanding of the changes that occur due to enzymatic reactions during EMC production. A standard EMC batch was prepared with the addition of two exogenous enzymes, a lipase and a protease (LP). Two additional treatment batches had either only a lipase (L) or a protease (P) added individually. Batches were prepared in duplicate with each replicate performed on different days. Each batch was incubated at 42±0.5°C …

The Effects Of Highlighting Healthy Options On Consumer Food Choices In A Food Bank Setting, Kaitlin Nicole Grabow

Theses and Dissertations

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of highlighting healthy food options on consumer food choices in a food bank setting.

Methods: Two community food banks participated in this study. One food bank served as the control, while a second food bank was rearranged so that fresh produce and other healthy products were the first options that shoppers encountered upon entering. After shopping, carts were inventoried for healthy vs non-healthy products. Composition of the carts from the control food bank were then compared to the contents of the carts from the intervention food bank.

Results: A …

Fiber Intake In Hemodialysis Patients And Its Effects On Symptoms, Jennifer Langner

Theses and Dissertations

On average 30 million adults are diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the United States (National Kidney Foundation, 2017). Patients in late stage kidney disease and on dialysis are placed on a restrictive diet to aid in the treatment of their disease. There are adverse symptoms associated with dialysis including nausea, constipation, diarrhea and fatigue. Fiber has been shown to decrease gastrointestinal symptoms such as reducing constipation and inflammation in the body in healthy populations. This study examined 19 hemodialysis dialysis patients and their fiber intake in relation to a variety of symptoms such as constipation, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, …

Hydration Knowledge And Intake In High School Student Athletes, Erin Ortiz

Theses and Dissertations

Objective: Heat related illness is one of the leading causes of death in high school athletes.

Proper hydration strategies have been shown to decrease heat related illness in college and

professional athletes. However, limited research has been conducted on the hydration habits of

high school athletes. The increase in high school sports participation has put more athletes at

risk for dehydration. The purpose of the study is to investigate the hydration status and impact of

an educational intervention on hydration habits of high school student athletes, by assessing their

current understanding of hydration and monitoring their fluid intake, during practice. …

Chemical Characterization Of Pseudognaphalium Obtusifolium By Gas Chromatography - Mass Spectrometry (Gc-Ms) To Assess Potential Therapeutic Phytochemicals And Toxicological Concerns Using Simulated Use Conditions, Regina Ballentine

Theses and Dissertations

Chemical Characterization of Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium by Gas Chromatography – Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) to Assess Potential Therapeutic Phytochemicals and Toxicological Concerns Using Simulated Use Conditions

By Regina Ballentine

Virginia Commonwealth University, 2019

Director: Sarah C. Rutan, Professor, Department of Chemistry

Currently, there is an increasing demand for natural therapies and herbal products to treat various ailments. It is generally believed that natural therapies have fewer side-effects than traditional western medicine; however, they are often used in different strengths and formulations without consistency of the levels of target compounds or knowledge about toxicity. Due to this growing trend, a comprehensive chemical evaluation …