Human and Clinical Nutrition Commons^™

Vitamin And Mineral Intake Relative To The Dris In Young Adults, Samantha M. Coogan

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

INTRODUCTION: In general, most college-aged students live highly, and newly, independent lives. Although campuses offer wide varieties of food choices, most choices do not meet the standards set by the RDA or DRIs, per NHANES 1999-2000.

METHODS: In order to document these eating patterns, 1001 male (n=379) and female (n=622) college-aged students quantified dietary intake for three consecutive days using the food log method. Assessment reports were generated and analyzed in order to determine the percentage of the DRI in both males and females, and groups with a BMI of less than 20 and greater than 30. Tests for correlation …

Brain Bioavailability Of Polyphenols: Implications For Delivery Of Brain Health Benefits, Tzu-Ying Chen

Open Access Dissertations

Consumption of fruits and vegetables has been associated with neuroprotection and cognitive benefits throughout the life span. These associations have sparked interest in plant-derived polyphenols as biologically active agents with potential for targeting brain benefits. However, little is known regarding the ability of the polyphenols or their metabolites from polyphenol-rich products to cross the blood-brain-barrier, and be available for biological action. Furthermore, additional insight is needed on factors affecting the absorption and brain distribution of polyphenol metabolites in vivo. To fill gap in current knowledge, this thesis will focus on the effects of diabetogenic diet and diabetic state which have …

Natural Genetic Variation Affecting Calcium Homeostasis, Rebecca Anna Replogle

Open Access Dissertations

Calcium (Ca) is essential for multiple functions within the body including skeletal health. The level of Ca in the serum is tightly regulated. During periods of habitual low Ca intake, the body senses a decrease in serum Ca and increases renal conversion of 25 hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) to 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)2D). 1,25(OH)2D acts through the vitamin D receptor (VDR) to increase intestinal Ca absorption, renal Ca reabsorption and skeletal Ca resorption. Efficient intestinal Ca absorption, especially during periods of low Ca intake, is critical for protecting bone mass. Ca absorption and its primary regulator, 1,25(OH)2D, are affected by both …

Metabolic Characterization Of A Sirt5 Deficient Mouse Model, Jiujiu Yu, Sushabhan Sadhukhan, Lilia G. Noriega, Norman Moullan, Bin He, Robert S. Weiss, Hening Lin, Kristina Schoonjans, Johan Auwerx

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

Sirt5, localized in the mitochondria, is a member of sirtuin family of NAD1-dependent deacetylases. Sirt5 was shown to deacetylate and activate carbamoyl phosphate synthase 1. Most recently, Sirt5 was reported to be the predominant protein desuccinylase and demalonylase in the mitochondria because the ablation of Sirt5 enhanced the global succinylation and malonylation of mitochondrial proteins, including many metabolic enzymes. In order to determine the physiological role of Sirt5 in metabolic homeostasis, we generated a germline Sirt5 deficient (Sirt52/2) mouse model and performed a thorough metabolic characterization of this mouse line. Although a global protein hypersuccinylation and elevated serum ammonia during …

Exploration Of Breastfeeding Concepts Among Current And Future Parents: Results Of Questionnaires Administered To Chinese And Us University Students And To New Mothers In China, Zixin Lou

Doctoral Dissertations

The objectives were to explore breastfeeding knowledge, attitudes, and intention of future parents, and to investigate indicators and causes of perceived insufficient milk (PIM) supply among Chinese mothers. Objectives were accomplished using a cross-sectional study design. Two questionnaires were developed, one targeting Chinese and US undergraduates, and a second targeting Chinese mothers. In total, 597 undergraduates (395 Chinese; 202 US) and 392 Chinese mothers participated in the study. Data cleaning resulted in a final sample size of 572 for undergraduates (383 Chinese; 189 US) and 341 for Chinese mothers. Results showed that undergraduates in both countries possessed some breastfeeding knowledge …

Exercise Participation During Weight Loss On A High Protein – Low Carbohydrate Diet Plan In Females Aged 15-25 Years, Margaret Mobley-Meulman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Weight gain due to poor diet and lack of exercise is responsible for over 300,000 deaths each year (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2010). Obese adults have an increased risk for serious health conditions including high blood pressure and cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, gallbladder disease, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea, respiratory problems, and certain cancers (National Cancer Institute, 2012). Participation in exercise can help control weight, strengthen muscles and bones, and reduce the incidence of cardiac events, stroke, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, colon and breast cancers, osteoporotic fractures, gallbladder disease, obesity, depression, anxiety, and delay mortality …

The Impact Of Parent Education On Parental Feeding Practices, Larra Kolby Brawley

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This research looked at the potential impact that parent education may have on the feeding practices of parents of young children. Since eating behaviors are a national concern for both children and adults, it's important to examine how we can create not just healthier children but, as a result, healthier adults. This study utilized an intervention that was an adapted version of a healthy eating curriculum created by Sesame Workshop and the California WIC association with the intention of improving parental feeding practices through a behavior-based approach. Previous research with this curriculum has addressed only low-income populations, with a relatively …

Covalent Immobilization Of Lysozyme On Ethylene Vinyl Alcohol Films For Nonmigrating Antimicrobial Packaging Applications, V. Muriel-Galet, Joey N. Talbert, P. Hernandez-Munoz, R. Gavara, J. M. Goddard

Joey Talbert

The objective of this study was to develop a new antimicrobial film, in which lysozyme was covalently attached onto two different ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymers (EVOH 29 and EVOH 44). The EVOH surface was modified with UV irradiation treatment to generate carboxylic acid groups, and lysozyme was covalently attached to the functionalized polymer surface. Surface characterization of control and modified films was performed using attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) and dye assay. The value of protein loading after attachment on the surface was 8.49 μg protein/cm2 and 5.74 μg protein/cm2 for EVOH 29 and EVOH 44, respectively, …

Associations Between Alcohol Consumption And Fasting Blood Glucose In Young Adults, Julie Ann Lucca

Master's Theses

Current research shows moderate alcohol consumption is associated with decreased risk of diabetes and excessive consumption or binge drinking can cause insulin resistance and diabetes. In 2010, diabetes was the seventh leading cause of death in the United Statesand was responsible for significant health complications: blindness, kidney failure, and limb amputations, and is a large national economic burden. Fasting blood glucose (FBG) is a tool used to help diagnose diabetes. Abnormally high FBG, ≥100 mg/dl, is indicative of diabetes and pre-diabetes. Few studies have observed diabetic prevalence among young adults or college students. Studying young adults can help provide added …

Investigating Obesity Risk-Reduction Behaviours And Psychosocial Factors In Chinese Americans, Yeon Bai, Doreen Liou, Kathleen D. Bauer

Department of Nutrition and Food Studies Scholarship and Creative Works

AIM: The purpose of this research was to examine the attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors related to obesity risk reduction in Chinese Americans.

METHODS: A questionnaire was administered to a convenience sample of 300 US-born and foreign-born Chinese Americans residing in the New York metropolitan area, ranging from 18 to 40 years of age. Obesity risk reduction behaviors and psychosocial variables derived from the Theory of Planned Behaviour and Health Belief Model were measured. Acculturation was assessed using a modified Suinn-Lew Asian Self-Identity Acculturation Scale. Frequency distributions were delineated and stepwise regression analyses were analyzed for different acculturation groups.

RESULTS: 65% …

A Literature Review Of The Health Effects Of A Plant Based Diet Versus An Animal Based Diet, James Cote

Senior Honors Theses

Health and nutrition can mean a myriad of things to many people in today’s culture. The majority of the time people are unaware of the proper nutrients their body needs and how to get them from food. This thesis will seek to expose the health benefits that are associated with consuming a raw plant-based die, offering a more profound and encompassing view on nutrition. Investigating further into today’s most common diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, obesity, cancer and autoimmune disorders, it will seek to discover and answer why we have so many health issues. This thesis will discuss the …

A Pilot Study Of The Efficacy And Program Cost-Effectiveness Of Prevention Plus For Childhood Obesity, Shannon Marie Looney

Doctoral Dissertations

Background: In 2007 an Expert Committee published recommendations using a staged approach for the treatment of childhood obesity in the primary care setting. Limited research has evaluated the efficacy of these recommendations. Thus, the primary aim of this study was to test the efficacy of Prevention Plus for the treatment of childhood overweight and obesity in a primary care setting. Cost is a major barrier to translation of research into practice thus, program cost-effectiveness was also evaluated. Methods: Twenty-two children (8.0 ± [plus-minus] 1.8 years; 2.34 ± 0.48 z-BMI; 68.2% female, 72.7% White, 90.9% non-Hispanic) were randomized to one of …

Effect Of Medical Nutrition Therapy On Outcomes Of Patients With Pre-Diabetes In A Rural Nebraska Primary Care Clinic: A Pilot Study, Charlene Dorcey

College of Education and Human Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Objective: Describe the impact of Medical Nutrition Therapy on health parameters of newly diagnosed patients with pre-diabetes in a rural Nebraska primary care clinic.

Background: Lifestyle interventions, including weight loss, exercise and diet, have a significant impact on diabetes prevention. Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) provided by a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) is an essential part of any intervention approach. Several visits with an RDN have shown effective results. However, multiple visits become prohibitive, especially in rural areas, due to inaccessibility and cost when not covered by insurance.

Methods: This 2010 retrospective study of electronic health records examined newly diagnosed pre-diabetes …

Physio-Chemical And Sensory Properties Of A Nutrient-Fortified Extruded Product, Tajudini Lassissi Akande

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Protein malnutrition is responsible for half the deaths of children under the age of five each year in developing countries. More than 4%, 26%, and 70% of children with protein malnutrition live in Latin America/the Caribbean, Africa, and Asia, respectively. The objective of this research was to develop a novel snack made with millet, black eye bean (from Niger Republic), and rice flour fortified with soybean meal protein using extrusion technology. Proximate analysis of the four flours was carried out to determine their chemical composition. Central composite design (CCD) was used to obtain best extrusion conditions to develop a protein-enriched …

Repeated Food Exposure Via The Olfactory And Gustatory Systems And Rate Of Salivary Habituation, Sheryl Katherine Benson, Hollie Raynor

EURēCA: Exhibition of Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement

No abstract provided.

Educational Needs Asessment And Practices Of Grocery Store Food Handlers Through Survey And Observational Data Collection, Lynn A. Robertson, Renee R. Boyer, Benjamin J. Chapman, Joseph D. Eifert, Nancy K. Franz

Nancy K. Franz

Grocery store associates in deli/bakery departments prepare and serve an increasing number of ready-to eat (RTE) foods and full meals. The shift to more convenience foods and take-home meals highlights the need for effective food safety training programs in retail grocery establishments to prevent foodborne illness. Through qualitative and quantitative methods, food safety knowledge, training preferences, needs, and current practices of grocery stores deli/bakery food handlers in Southwest and Southern Virginia were explored. Deli employees (n ¼ 78) completed a 34 question survey eliciting information on demographics, food safety training needs, preferences and knowledge. In an additional phase of this …

Comparison Of Recycling Outcomes In Three Types Of Recycling Collection Units, Ashley Andrews, Mary Gregoire, Heather Rasmussen, Gretchen Witowich

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

Commercial institutions have many factors to consider when implementing an effective recycling program. This study examined the effectiveness of three different types of recycling bins on recycling accuracy by determining the percent weight of recyclable material placed in the recycling bins, comparing the percent weight of recyclable material by type of container used, and examining whether a change in signage increased recycling accuracy. Data were collected over 6 weeks totaling 30 days from 3 different recycling bin types at a Midwest university medical center. Five bin locations for each bin type were used. Bags from these bins were collected, sorted …

Method And System For Lactose-Free Or Lactose-Reduced Milk And Associated Products, Production Thereof, And Associated Processes, Joseph H. Hotchkiss, Joey Talbert

Joey Talbert

A system and method capable of hydrolyzing lactose, where the system includes a support formed from a functionalized hydrophobic polymer that is covalently linked to a hydrophilic molecule covalently that is, in turn, covalently linked to an enzyme such as lactose. The method includes the steps of functionalizing a hydrophobic polymer support, covalently linking a hydrophilic molecule to said functionalized polymer support, and covalently linking an enzyme such as lactase to said hydrophilic molecule. The system and method generally relate to the field of food science and engineering and, more particularly to dairy-based food products and their production including solutions …

Effects Of Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors On Vitamin D Activity In Human Breast Cancer Cells, Brooke Savage

Masters Theses 1911 - February 2014

Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of death in women cancer cases worldwide. Cancer is the result of environmental and genetic factors that contribute to alterations in cellular control, proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. Vitamin D is emerging as an important nutrient in the prevention and treatment of cancer due to its ability to modulate proliferation and apoptosis in vivo and in vitro. To accomplish this, Vitamin D exerts its biological activity by binding to a specific, high-affinity intracellular vitamin D receptor (VDR). VDR expression is identified in mammary cancer cell lines, but levels are reduced compared to …

Commensal Microbiotica - Biological Frontier And Legal Challenge, Kenneth L. Sanders Md

Kenneth L Sanders MD

Recent advances in bacteriology and medical science affirm that the commensal relationship between surface microbial flora and the human host is intricate and important. Legal theory has thus far lagged behind the impact of the medical discoveries.