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Self-Reported Dietary Habits And Barriers Among First Responders, Adriana Gil, Ryan J. Sowinski, Kristen Mackenzie-Shalders, Steven E. Martin, Robin (Rob) Marc Orr, Drew E. Gonzalez

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Firefighters (FFs) and law enforcement officers (LEOs) have a high, lifestyle-related, risk for health conditions such as cardiovascular disease (CVD). Nutritional intervention has been identified as a critical area to improve these risk factors. However, there are limited data regarding the dietary habits and barriers of FFs and LEOs. PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the dietary habits of first responders and the factors or barriers influencing them. METHODS: Cross-sectional data were obtained from 21 first responders regarding nutritional habits, factors, and barriers via validated paper-based questionnaires which include; the Perceived Barriers to Healthy Eating, Food Choice Questionnaire, …

Assessing The Differences Between Chewing And Swallowing Arugula Extract Capsules On The Concentrations Of Nitric Oxide Metabolites In Metabolically Healthy Males, Tomas J. Chapman-Lopez, Leroy Bolden, Dylan T. Wilburn, Jeffery L. Heileson, Rodney Sturdivant, Andrew R. Gallucci, Leslee K. Funderburk, Jeffrey S. Forsse

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Previous literature has examined the benefits of consuming nitrate (NO3)-rich crops (e.g., beetroot, spinach, watercress, arugula) on endothelial function due to their positive influence on nitric oxide (NO) production from the utilization of nitrate-reducing bacteria in the oral microbiome. However, there has yet to be a study addressing how the method of consumption may influence the role the oral microbiome plays in the degradation of NO3 to NO from consuming an encapsulated NO3-rich crop. PURPOSE: To determine the differences in NO metabolite concentrations following two different methods (e.g., chewing, swallowing) of consuming the encapsulated arugula extract. METHODS: Eight, …

Nutrition Able: A Lecture-Based Intervention To Promote Nutritional Literacy About Protein Intake In Women, Jeffery Bolte, Alejandra Garcia, Jacob Abalos, Jakson Johnson, Alex Joyce, Christopher Hinds, Jared Tuttle, Jeff Svec

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Sport performance is influenced by sport-specific requirements for body composition. One major predictor of body composition is protein intake. Higher protein intake tends to cause leaner body composition relative to lower protein intake, especially during caloric deficit. In Bexar County, ~72% of the adult population is overweight/obese and 15.5% are diabetic. This suggests that high protein diet could be a high leverage option in the San Antonio population for optimizing body composition for sport performance. Furthermore, late life sporting activity and protein intake is a primary method for mitigating sarcopenia, osteoporosis, fractures, and accidental death in post-menopausal women. PURPOSE: …

Energetic Value Estimates Of Wild And Domesticated Food Items Consumed By Congolese Bayaka Foragers, Lucie Benoit, Sheina Lew-Levy, Yann R. Ouamba, Alyssa N. Crittenden

Journal of Ecological Anthropology

We present a dataset that systematically estimates the energetic value of wild and domesticated food resources collected and consumed by Congolese BaYaka foragers. This dataset is unique in that it accounts for everyday practices of food processing and consumption. Reported values of inedible portions, moisture content, and estimated energetic values (kcal/g) were extracted from field research and the published food chemistry and nutrition literature. These data are central to understanding how nutritional needs are met in rainforest environments and will allow for current and future tracking of diet composition in this and similar ecologies. The dataset is available at https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.19446938.v9

Phenolic Acids Prevent Sex-Steroid Deficiency-Induced Bone Loss And Bone Marrow Adipogenesis In Mice, Perry C. Caviness, Oxana P. Lazarenko, Michael L. Blackburn, Jennifer F. Chen, Christopher E. Randolph, Jovanny Zabaleta, Fenghuang Zhan, Jin Ran Chen

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Phenolic acids, such as hippuric acid (HA) and 3-(3-hydroxyphenyl) propionic acid (3-3-PPA), can be produced from microbiome digestion of polyphenols. Previously it was found that HA and 3-3-PPA facilitate bone formation and suppress bone resorption. However, the mechanism of action by which HA and 3-3-PPA protect bone from degeneration is currently unknown. In this report, we present that HA and 3-3-PPA suppression of bone resorption is able to ameliorate bone loss in an ovariectomy (OVX) osteopenic mouse model though not to the extent of Zoledronic acid (ZA). HA and 3-3-PPA treatments were shown to significantly decrease bone marrow adipocyte-like cell …

Impact Of Covid‑19 On Food Security And Diet Quality In Chilanga District, Zambia, Shela Sridhar, Janella Kang, Joyce Makasa, Sally Bell‑Cross, Isabel Madzorera, Ethan Zulu, Davidson H. Hamer

Department of Child, Youth, and Family Studies: Faculty Publications

Introduction Food security and nutrition have been severely impacted during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). We aimed to quantify the impacts of the pandemic on food security and diet diversity within Chilanga District in Zambia and identify target areas for high-impact social protection and safety net programs.

Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study in Chilanga district immediately after the Omicron variant surge in February 2022. Diet quality and food security were assessed based on a household diet questionnaire and a Minimum Dietary Diversity-Women (MDD-W) score was calculated. A paired t-test was used to determine whether …

Harvesting Site Influenced The Concentration Level Of Nitrogen And Mineral Status Of Woody Species In Semi-Arid Areas Of South Africa, K. E. Ravhuhali, H. S. Mudau, H. K. Mokoboki, B. Moyo, L. E. Motsei

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Feed shortages in semi-arid areas cause a major set-back for livestock production. An understanding of the nutritive value of woody species in most parts of savanna regions can be vital to predicting what these species can offer for livestock productivity. The study assessed the variation in nitrogen and mineral concentration of leaves of woody species as influenced by harvesting site in South Africa. The study sites were communal areas in Limpopo and North West provinces. A total of 52 browse species were selected and used for this study. All statistical tests showed that there was a significant effect of species …

Design And Management Of Saltbush-Based Forage Systems To Improve Productivity And Reproductive Performance Of Sheep, H. C. Norman, M. G. Wilmot, D. G. Masters, D. Blache, S. K. Maloney, S. N. Hancock

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

There is evidence that effective shelter can significantly improve lamb survival, but the majority of Australian studies have occurred in small paddocks where the ewes had no choice but to use shelter. In mixed farming systems with large open paddocks, it is unclear if ewes will choose to use shelter for lambing. Our multidisciplinary collaboration examines the use of woody shrubs as an opportunity to improve the survival of twin lambs. In a series of large experiments on commercial farms, we will evaluate the impact of different shrub planting configurations, orientations, and densities on microclimates at the sub-paddock scale. Twin-bearing …

Food And Mood: The Correlation Between Vitamin B12 And Folate Intake And Depression, Jana Soucar, Hawley Almstedt

Honors Thesis

Vitamin B12 is an essential nutrient that metabolizes homocysteine, which is a potentially neurotoxic molecule when in excess. Folate is a B vitamin that is essential to the production of norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine in the brain. Studies show that a deficiency in vitamin B12, as well as folate, may be associated with mental health conditions. Additionally, the prevalence of depression is higher in college students than other demographic populations. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate a correlation between vitamin B12 and folate intake with signs and symptoms of depression in college students. METHODS: This …

Firefighter Health: A Narrative Review Of Occupational Threats And Countermeasures, Drew E. Gonzalez, Sarah N. Lanham, Steven E. Martin, Richard E. Cleveland, Thad E. Wilson, Emily L. Langford, Mark G. Abel

UK CARES Faculty Publications

Structural firefighters are responsible for protecting properties and saving lives during emergency operations. Despite efforts to prepare firefighters for these hazardous occupational demands, the unfortunate reality is that the incidence of health morbidities is increasing within the fire service. Specifically, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and mental health disorders are among the most documented morbidities in firefighters. Pubmed and Google Scholar search engines were used to identify peer-reviewed English language manuscripts that evaluated firefighters’ occupational health threats, allostatic factors associated with their occurrence, and evidence-based strategies to mitigate their impact. This narrative review provides fire departments, practitioners, and researchers with evidence-based practices …

Caring, 1979, V3 N1, Spring, Advocate Aurora Health

Historical Documents - Combined

Illinois Masonic Medical Center, Chicago, IL: Issue of "Caring", a quarterly patient education publication. This issue has an article on the rise and prominence of ambulatory care as well as news about staffing, publications, events, and other updates.

Development Of A Culinary Medicine Toolkit To Improve Implementation Of Virtual Cooking Classes For Low-Income Adults With Type 2 Diabetes, David Ai, Natalia I Heredia, Vanessa Cruz, Diana C Guevara, Shreela V Sharma, Dolores Woods, Melisa Danho, John Wesley Mcwhorter

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Culinary medicine (CM) addresses diseases through nutrition and culinary education. To promote access to educational material for people with diabetes and engagement in virtual classes, we created a virtual culinary medicine toolkit (VCMT) sensitive to literacy levels and language preferences. The VCMT was developed to accompany existing virtual CM programs and help improve participant interaction and retention, offering educational materials for providers and participants. The provider VCMT offers level-setting education to reduce mixed nutrition messaging, including educational resources discussing inclusive nutrition and mindful eating topics. Each handout has a QR code and link to engaging, animated videos that provide further …

Challenges Of Competency Management For Dietetics Program And Internship Directors: An Application Of Design Thinking, David Gaviria, Elizabeth Chen

Journal of Dietetic Education

Objective: Dietetics education transitioned to competency-based education (CBE) in July 2022. Despite its benefits, managing competencies may be a challenging aspect of CBE for dietetics program and internship directors (PDIDs), yet it is unclear what specific aspects of competency management are difficult. Using design thinking, this study sought to capture the impact recent CBE implementation had on PDIDs by identifying specific pain points (i.e., challenges) related to competency management. The results of this work serve to document such pain points and may be used to generate solutions to address or eliminate the pain points. For example, this research can support …

Prospective Nursing Students’ Perceptions Of The Importance Of Nutrition Literacy: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, John J. Spano

Theses and Dissertations

Proper nutrition is essential to the prevention of chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. It is also important during the recovery period from disease as well as in the maintenance of general good health. In many health care settings, nurses are the initial health care provider with whom patients have contact. All forms of literacy require a solid foundation in fundamental literacy concepts that must be reinforced to fully develop content-specific literacy, such as nutrition literacy. Nutrition literacy is defined as the extent to which nutrition information is acquired, processed, comprehended, and applied in ways that benefit …

Food Insecurity Amongst College Students: A Survey-Based Study On Student Perceptions And Assessment Of Food Security And Food Sovereignty On Campus, Matthew Labelle, Alissar Sobh, Rebecca D. Neusner

Directed Experiential Education Final Project

Food insecurity is a growing issue on college campuses across the United States. Specifically, as student demographics shift away from full-time college students to part-time students with less disposable income, there are rising concerns about the nutrition, quality, and access to food on campus. Our research group was tasked with assessing, analyzing, and evaluating the food security and food systems of the Johnson & Wales University’s Harborside Campus. To this extent, we developed an anonymous questionnaire to poll students on their food sources and the quality of those food sources. To start, the questionnaire gathered basic demographic data such as …

The Influence Of Abiotic Stress And Cultivar Variation On Plant Defenses And Resistance To Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus Planipennis) In Cultivated Olive (Olea Spp), Idris B. Elesin

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

Emerald ash borer (EAB), Agrilus planipennis, is an invasive pest that significantly impacts olive trees (Olea europaea). This study aimed to assess the role of abiotic stress factors such as drought and salinity in influencing plant defenses and resistance to EAB, while also examining cultivar variation in resistance. The study specifically aimed to address: (1) What effects do varying degrees of abiotic stress (drought, salinity) have on olive trees' antioxidant and peroxidase activity in olive tree? (2) Do distinct olive cultivars exhibit varying levels of resistance to EAB under various stressors? We used a controlled experimental design with two stress …

The Effectiveness Of Jeffwlp For Weight Loss And General Nutritional Knowledge In Obese Patients, Scott Kozarsky, Ba, Olivia Ackley, Bs, Cynthia Cheng, Md, Phd

Alpha Omega Alpha Research Symposium Posters

PURPOSE: The increasing prevalence of obesity urgently requires effective management strategies. This study evaluates the effectiveness of Jefferson Weight Loss Program (JeffWLP), a trained medical student-delivered health education program in a predominantly African-American patient cohort.

METHODS: A randomized controlled trial was performed enrolling 30 patients with an average socioeconomic status of 5.8 (10 maximum). The intervention group (n=18) completed JeffWLP, a low-cost, 12-week health coaching program combining education sessions with graded step exercises. The control group (n=12) received usual care. Mean baseline age, BMI, and General Nutritional Knowledge Questionnaire (GNKQ) scores were: 46±13 years, 38±5, and 14.7±1.9 (maximum score=17) respectively. …

The Prevalence Of Cardiac Risk Factors In College-Aged Students, Katelyn Butczynski, Brianna Fox, Kristen Mccloskey, Katrina Redline

Student Research Poster Presentations 2024

Background: The impact of Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is typically associated with adulthood. However, its roots can be traced back to childhood. The transition from high school to college includes many lifestyle and environmental changes, which can lead to the creation of new lifelong habits. The college experience can contribute to the development of CVD risk factors with these new lifestyle changes. These risk factors lead to the development of CVD in adulthood.

Aims: This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of CVD in college-aged students and identify their risk for developing CVD in adulthood.

Methods: The study was a …

Joining - Setting The Potential Of Your Ewe Flock, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Animal production and livestock factsheets

Joining is the time when the potential lambing of your flock is set, so make the most of it.

Preparation of ewes and rams for joining should start 8 weeks prior to joining for the greatest benefit.

Key tactical decisions around ewe and ram health and nutrition should be made prior to joining. This should ideally start 8 weeks before joining as the impact of nutrition, shearing and teasing take time to influence joining success.

The majority of the ewes in Western Australia are seasonal breeders. The spontaneous cycling in Merinos and breeds such as Poll Dorset are least affected …

Differences In Urine Creatinine And Osmolality Between Black And White Americans After Accounting For Age, Moisture Intake, Urine Volume, And Socioeconomic Status, Patrick B. Wilson, Ian P. Winter, Josie Burdin

Exercise Science Faculty Publications

Urine osmolality is used throughout research to determine hydration levels. Prior studies have found black individuals to have elevated urine creatinine and osmolality, but it remains unclear which factors explain these findings. This cross-sectional, observational study sought to understand the relationship of self-reported race to urine creatinine and urine osmolality after accounting for age, socioeconomic status, and fluid intake. Data from 1,386 participants of the 2009–2012 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were utilized. Age, poverty-to-income ratio (PIR), urine flow rate (UFR), fluid intake, estimated lean body mass (LBM), urine creatinine, and urine osmolality were measured. In a sex-specific manner, …

Advancing School Nursing Practice: A Novel Approach To Screening For Gastrointestinal Disorders In Children, Ashley Bunting, Isabella Cavlan

Nursing | Senior Theses

Background: Currently, mandated health screenings in California schools are limited to vision, hearing, and scoliosis; this leaves several other body systems unmonitored during the crucial years of childhood development. One such system is the gastrointestinal (GI) system, which plays a vital role in the normal growth, nutrition status, development, and overall health of children. Objective: By developing and implementing a GI-specific screening tool in the outpatient school setting, this research aims to increase the detection of GI disorders in children. Not only that, but school nurses can use this novel screening tool to promote early diagnosis, intervention, and …

Breastfeeding Perceptions And Decisions Among Hispanic Participants In The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program For Women, Infants, And Children: A Qualitative Study, Emily Fisher, Priyanka Patel, Kathryn G. Wouk, Bidusha Neupane, Futun Alkhalifah, Marilyn M. Bartholmae, Chuanyi Tang, Qi Zhang

Community & Environmental Health Faculty Publications

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is a nutrition assistance program in the U.S. WIC served 2.5 million eligible Hispanic women, infants, and children under the age of five in 2021, which is WIC's largest racial/ethnic group. However, limited research has been conducted to understand Hispanic WIC participants' perceptions of WIC breastfeeding recommendations and their breastfeeding decisions. For this qualitative study, we interviewed 18 of these pregnant and postpartum WIC participants on their experiences and decision-making processes related to breastfeeding. Hispanic cultures and home country norms were identified as prominent influences on breastfeeding decisions, along …

Advancing School Nursing Practice: A Novel Approach To Screening For Gastrointestinal Disorders In Children, Ashley Bunting, Isabella Cavlan

Nursing | Student Research Posters

California schools currently only screen for vision and hearing, leaving many other health concerns unaddressed. Among these, gastrointestinal (GI) health is particularly significant, as digestive disorders can lead to severe consequences, like malnutrition and stunted growth. By incorporating routine GI screenings, school nurses can promote the early detection of disease, allowing for timely intervention and improved health outcomes in children.

Based on existing literature, we have developed a novel pediatric GI screening tool for school nurses to use in routine screenings, presented below.

Examining The Feasibility Of Implementing Farm To School Programs In Rural Kentucky Schools: Barriers And Successes Of Initiating Programming As Identified Through Teacher’S Observations, Christina Wilson

Theses and Dissertations--Nutrition and Food Systems

Farm to School (FTS) programs provide experiential learning opportunities to children that have the potential to shape eating patterns and, in turn, improve health and learning outcomes. Participation in FTS programs in Kentucky is growing. However, programming varies widely across schools, and few have an edible school garden. This study examined the feasibility of establishing an edible school garden while incorporating FTS programming by evaluating teachers' observations and experiences. Six rural Kentucky schools were selected to receive a $5,000 grant to initiate an edible school garden and incorporate FTS programming. A Qualtrics survey measured six categories regarding implementation. The results …

Telemedicine And Physical Visits: A Dynamic Duo In Obesity Management Among Adolescents, Egypt, Enas Sayed Abbas, Safaa Al Hussein Tawfik, Gehan Fouad Ahmad, Lamiaa Ibrahim Haroon, Taghreed K. M. Elhady, Amira Said Nassar

Journal of Medicine in Scientific Research

Childhood obesity, a serious global issue, leads to various health problems like diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and psychological issues. In Egypt, inconsistent data shows a significant prevalence of obesity among adolescents, influenced by factors like gender, age, and lifestyle. The study aims to explore the effectiveness of telemedicine, in conjunction with physical visits, for managing obesity among adolescents in Egypt. Telemedicine, a cost-effective and engaging alternative to in-person visits, can help patients lose weight and provide a safe, remote alternative, expanding treatment access to hard-to-reach populations. The study is a controlled clinical trial on overweight or obese adolescents …

Understanding Guardian Perceptions Of Whole-Foods Plant-Based Diets As Interventions In Pediatric Medicine, Vijay R. Luthra

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The obesity epidemic is widespread in American society, often affecting children who bear its consequences innocently. Due to a lack of nutrition knowledge, children rely on caregivers to meet their nutritional needs and instill healthy habits. This study examines parents' attitudes, knowledge, and behaviors, as well as perceived barriers to adopting a whole-foods plant-based diet (WFPD) for their children. Using a modified survey instrument by Morton et al., this study focused on parents and children regarding dietary choices. Participants were recruited from the waiting area of a pediatric clinic at the Medical College of Georgia between April and May 2023. …

Temporal And Spatial Influences On Fawn Summer Survival In Pronghorn Populations: Management Implications From Noninvasive Monitoring, Cole A. Bleke, Eric M. Gese, Juan J. Villalba, Shane B. Roberts, Susannah S. French

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Monitoring vital rates allowsmanagers to estimate trends in growth rates of ungulate populations. However, connecting the influence of nutrition on ungulate demography is challenging. Noninvasive sampling offers a low-cost, low-effort alternative for measuring nutritional indices, allowing for an increased understanding of the mechanistic relationships between environmental factors, nutrition, and specific population vital rates. We examined the temporal influence of intrinsic and extrinsic factors on pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) fawn recruitment. We collected fresh fecal samples from adult female pronghorn in five subpopulations spanning three sampling periods associated with critical maternal life-history stages (late gestation, early lactation, breeding season) for …

Nutrition Counseling Practices Among Psychologists, Wibecke Stromsnes

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

There is a lack of treatment guidelines for how to address the impact of nutrition on clients’ mental health. Prior research is limited regarding psychologists’ practices of nutrition counseling and has mostly focused on practices of dieticians and medical doctors. The purpose of this study was to examine psychologists’ beliefs and attitudes about nutrition counseling, amount of training and use of nutrition counseling, self-rated knowledge in the use of nutrition counseling and perceived benefits and barriers to using nutrition counseling. Data was collected using an online survey of 76 licensed psychologists’ training in nutrition and use of nutrition counseling. Findings …

Improving Nutrition Screening Practice In The Hospitalized Heart Failure Patient Population, Amanda J. Bourgeois

DNP Projects

Background: Heart Failure is a disease known to affect nearly 6.5 million adults in the United States. Characterized by recurrent hospitalizations, heart failure significantly contributes to morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs in the United States and worldwide. Because malnutrition is prevalent in the heart failure population, healthcare providers must perform nutritional assessments on admission to intervene in the case of malnutrition, prevent deterioration, and improve patient prognosis. Without intervention and early identification of malnutrition, heart failure hospitalizations will remain a significant problem.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of an evidence-based educational program for cardiac …

Evaluation Of Nutritional Guidance From Providers For Patients With Type 2 Diabetes In A Primary Care Setting, Whitney Rice

DNP Projects

Background: Adherence to diet is a challenging part of managing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Guidelines recommend including a registered dietician and/or a diabetes educator. While this is the gold standard, there are barriers to implementation in primary care. The Starting the Conversation (STC) diet recall tool can aid primary care providers (PCPs) in providing brief nutrition counseling for patients with T2DM. Purpose: To evaluate the perceptions and practices of PCPs regarding dietary education and documentation for patients with T2DM after provider education and initiation of the STC tool. Methods: This was a quality improvement project using a quasi-experimental pretest …