Nutrition Commons^™

An Evaluation And Exploration Of Nutrition Education In Elementary Schools, Elisha M. Hall

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Childhood obesity is a significant problem in the United States. Obese children suffer from a variety of physical, emotional, and social consequences. To curb or reduce this problem, school-based nutrition education interventions have become more common. However, little research has been conducted concerning nutrition-related socioeconomic disparities in behavior change constructs for low and high income children, which is integral to forming appropriate theory-based interventions and allocating resources appropriately. Research into classroom teachers’ perspectives is also an area in need of strengthening to better inform interventions. Finally, the School Enrichment Kit Program (SEKP), a current interactive, classroom-based, nutrition and physical activity …

Assessing The Sociocultural Impact Of Special Events In The Context Of Germanfest In Nebraska, Usa, Yanli Wang

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The present study examined the sociocultural impact of special events based on the cultural festival of GermanFest in Syracuse, Nebraska. A total of 143 (71.5%) local residents responded to the self-administered survey. The dimensions of the sociocultural impact, the important reasons for celebrating the festival, the relationship among festival stakeholders, the levels of community involvement, and the improvement of the quality of life in the community as impacts of the festival and demographic information were investigated separately.

The Festival Social Impact Attitude Scale (FSIAS) was utilized to identify the dimensions of the sociocultural impact of GermanFest. Three dimensions were identified …

Discovery Neighborhood Myplate Macy: A Pilot Study, Amanda M. Robine

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Background: Obesity prevalence in United States children ages 2-19 years has been consistently high since 2003.1 These children are at a greater risk for many chronic disease. Educating children on how to make healthful food choices, and using fun characters in a classroom setting may be one step to reducing the obesity rate.

Objective: Increase knowledge about MyPlate and heathy eating in children in kindergarten through fifth grade.

Design: After the development of a nutrition lesson, an expert panel reviewed and suggested changes. Once changes were made the lesson was delivered to second and third graders at a summer camp. …

Characterizing The Effects Of Both Synthetic And Natural Inhibitors On The Function Of Holocarboxylase Synthetase And Lipid Metabolism, Elizabeth Cordonier

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The central theme of this dissertation explores enzyme inhibition, through the use of both synthetic and natural occurring inhibitors of three biotin-associated enzymes; the mammalian biotin ligase, holocarboxylase synthetase(HLCS), and acetyl-CoA carboxylases 1 and 2 (ACC1 and 2), whose activity is dependent on biotinylation by HLCS, and are involved in fatty acid synthesis and regulation of beta-oxidation, respectively. No null HLCS individual has ever been reported and individuals with inherited mutations in the HLCS gene, which render it incapable of biotinylating carboxylases, exhibit varying degrees of symptoms associated with multiple carboxylase deficiency. Little is known with regard to the reaction …

Attenuation Of Mtorc1-Driven Secretion Of Lipoproteins And Triacylglycerides By Short Chain Fatty Acids: Mechanistic Insight Into The Pathogenesis Of Hypertriglyceridemia, Joseph L. Roberts

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) is a serine/threonine kinase that drives several anabolic processes including lipid synthesis, protein synthesis, and adipogenesis. mTORC1 is highly active in the livers of obese rodents, in overnutrition, and is implicated in the development of obesity related metabolic disorders, including the overproduction of atherogenic lipoproteins. Direct inhibition of mTORC1 is not a viable treatment strategy because it prevents feedback inhibition of the insulin-signaling cascade, leading to increased lipid synthesis and secretion of lipoproteins. Thus, therapeutic approaches that drive catabolic pathways are considered promising mechanisms for overcoming mTORC1-driven anabolism. Human liver HepG2 cells …

Stability And Biological Activity Of Dietary Micrornas, Katherine Howard

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

MicroRNAs play important roles in gene regulation by binding to complimentary sites at the 3’ untranslated region of target mRNA molecules. Binding results in inhibition or degradation of target mRNA. Many bovine and chicken microRNA are homologous with human counterparts enabling gene regulation. A recent study in our lab provided undisputable evidence that endogenous milk microRNAs are bioavailable in humans; resulting in regulation of human gene expression. Based on these findings, we wanted to explore the possibility that other exogenous food borne microRNAs are able to be absorbed through the diet. My thesis surrounds two aims: 1) assessing the stability …

Micrornas Are Absorbed In Biologically Meaningful Amounts From Nutritionally Relevant Doses Of Cow’S Milk And Chicken Eggs And Affect Gene Expression In Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells, Cell Cultures, And Mouse Livers, Scott Baier

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Throughout the twenty-first century, evidence has been continually increasing to show the importance of epigenetic regulation in health. While the term “epigenetics” can be applied to many different processes, the focus of this dissertation will be on microRNAs and chromatin structure. Ultimately, both of these forms of epigenetic regulation can be used to fine tune gene expression based on environmental cues. The first three chapters of the dissertation focus on microRNA bioavailability, stability, and function from two commonly consumed food products: cow’s milk and chicken eggs. This important work has been the first of its kind to demonstrate the bioavailability …