Life Sciences Commons^™

A Study On The Impact Of Diet On Unified Fire Authority Firefighter Performance, Marin Easton

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Objective: This project aimed to examine the impact of nutrition knowledge, dietary intake, and physical activity on firefighters’ performance on their routine physical assessment (RPA).

Methodology: Members of the Unified Fire Authority, the largest fire agency in Utah with more than 400 sworn firefighters serving 15 communities representing 440,000 residents, were invited via email to participate in this cross-sectional study. Participants (N=92) completed a 40- question survey that assessed specialized diet adherence, dietary intake, nutrition knowledge (using questions from the General Nutrition Knowledge Questionnaire;1 point for each correct answer [26 points possible]), regular physical activity (International Physical Activity Questionnaire), and …

The Evolution And Unraveling Of The American Eugenics Movement, Anneka Walton

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

While the evolution of American eugenics surrounding the time of Nazi Germany has been well-documented, the periods before the explosion of American eugenics and the result of the movement in the wake of the Holocaust are not so well known. Many historically-based works have described the path and growth of eugenics from the time the term was coined to the public acknowledgement of World War II and the point where Americans ended eugenic euthanasia and slowed eugenic sterilizations. There are also many works within the realm of disability history that document these events from the more common social viewpoint. This …

Determining The Need For Meal Preparation Education In First-Year University Students, Alicia Kunzler

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Background: In previous research, college students reported low confidence and varying skill in meal preparation ability. This study evaluates first-year university students to determine the acceptability of meal preparation programming for this population.

Objective: To assess university freshmen's skill level, confidence, and interest in food budgeting, meal planning, and cooking techniques to determine potential interventions.

Methods: First-year university students (n=265; 58 men, 205 women) were recruited through Facebook and email invitations to complete a 50-item survey. Survey categories included skills/confidence in food budgeting (8), meal planning (12), and cooking techniques 12); class interest (4), student background information (9), and general …

Ebt At Farmer's Markets Is A Snap, Amanda Spackman

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Research Question: How can farmers' markets best implement the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to increase sales and provide low income individuals with access to fresh, local produce?

This paper will discuss the use of SNAP benefits (formerly known as food stamps) at farmers' markets, with particular emphasis on the Cache Valley Gardener's Market as an example. Lack of access to adequate food is a major issue in the US. When farmers' markets work in conjunction with the federal SNAP program they can help individuals who struggle with food security to gain access to local food. There are many benefits …

Does Fruit And Vegetable Intake Decrease Risk For Obesity In Children And Adolescents?, Vanessa Reichmann

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

Maternal Dietary Patterns And Risk Of Isolated Cleft Birth Defects In Utah - A Case-Control Study, Tara Finnerty

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Inadequate maternal nutrition during pregnancy has been suggested as a risk factor for oral cleft birth defects including the major groupings of cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CL/P), and cleft palate alone (CP). Few studies have analyzed overall dietary patterns in relation to development of oral clefts. The purpose of this study is to examine the statistical associations between maternal dietary pattern scores and risk of oral clefts in Utah.

Data collected from the Utah Oral Cleft Study was used as a starting point. New variables were formed to define maternal dietary patterns using the SPSS statistical analysis …

Knowledge Of Coumadin Use And Vitamin K Interaction In Atrial Fibrillation Patients, Heidi M. Moss

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most commonly observed arrhythmia and is expected to increase to over 12 million in the next few decades. Patients with AF are at high risk of stroke due to the use of Coumadin in combination with stroke risk factors such as age >75 years, hypertension, diabetes, heart failure, and prior stroke or transient ischemic attack. Coumadin specifically targets the blood clotting cascade by inhibiting the regeneration of vitamin K needed for the activation of clotting factors. A 100 mcg increase in vitamin K intake over at least 4 days can reduce patient internationalized national …

Cardiovascular Medical Nutrition Therapy Looking At The Dash Trials, Rachel Anne Naegle

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

OBJECTIVE: To review the recent medical literature on the effects of the DASH diet principles of increased fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy, and decreased total and saturated fat; focusing on the intent to implement this dietary pattern to reduce hypertension, and thus to reduce cardiovascular disease.

FINDINGS: The combination diet reduced systolic by 5.5 mm Hg, and diastolic by 3.0 mm Hg as compared to the control diet (P<0.001 for each) (5, 7, 8). When comparing the two diet variables, the combination diet reduced systolic blood pressure 2.7 mm Hg, and diastolic 1.9 mm Hg more than the fruits-and-vegetables diet, (all with a P<0.001)! The results of the DASH-sodium (DASH II), proved also to substantially lower blood pressure when used with the combination diet.

CONCLUSION: Even though the DASH-sodium diet did decrease blood pressure, there is no scientific background to recommend this to all populations, and that instead of focusing attention on reducing sodium, efforts should …

Magnesium Intake And Its Relationship With Type 2 Diabetes, Caralee Wilcock

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Magnesium is an alkaline earth metal and is the second most abundant cation in the human body. Magnesium plays important roles in the structure and the function of the human body; it is involved in more than 300 essential metabolic reactions in the body. Magnesium has been implicated in the prevention and treatment of many diseases including diabetes. Magnesium depletion is commonly associated with both insulin dependent and non-insulin dependent diabetes. A significant number, (between 25% and 39%) of diabetics have been shown to have decreased serum levels of magnesium. There are many possible reasons and mechanisms for this. Diabetics …

Vitamin K As A Prophylaxis In The Infant, Michelle Whipple

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Since the mid-1960's, all infants in the US have received intramuscular vitamin K (IMVK) as a prophylactic measure against hemorrhagic disease of the newborn (HDN). Because the human race has obviously survived for so many years without this medical intervention, there is some question concerning the universal necessity of this practice.

Infants are born with comparatively low levels of vitamin K, a compound vital for the carboxylation of serum clotting factors. In the absence of adequately carboxylated clotting proteins, infants are at risk for developing HDN. This condition can cause severe complications, including mental retardation and death. IMVK significantly reduces …

The Use Of Carnitine And Pyruvate In Weight Management, Karen Phyllis Bergs

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Carnitine has been a naturally occurring compound since the beginning of the century, and was considered to be an essential nutrient for quite some time. Carnitine has many essential roles in the body. Carnitine transports fatty acids into the mitochondria for energy, controls ketogenesis, and modulates the acyl-CoA/free CoA ratio. Studies have postulated that exercise decreases carnitine in the body, therefore leading to a deficiency in athletes. Carnitine has also been used as a weight loss product because of its fatty acid oxidation function. Many nutritional supplement companies have marketed on these functions of carnitine, resulting in a big business. …

Obesity: Environment Vs. Genetics, Kammi Marie Reeder Hansen

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

The prevalence of overweight and obese individuals is rising. Between 1980 and 1990 there was an 8% increase in the prevalence of obesity. Obesity is associated with many diseases such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, heart disease and cancer. Over $39 billion dollars is spent annually on the illnesses associated with obesity. Our American culture has been blamed for the rise in obesity, yet there are obviously many people living in the American culture that are not obese. Researchers have turned to genetics to explain this phenomenon. This article will examine the many environmental factors that contribute to obesity and …

Herbs: What Is My Choice?, Brooke Dipoma Bouwhuis

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Medicating oneself with herbal remedies has become and increasing popular phenomenon. It is estimated sales of herbal products were $3.2 million in 1997 (8). One third of educated, upper income Americans aged 25-49 years old are using these products each year (8). This paper is a compilation of information regarding the herbal industry. An overview of food and drug regulations as well as reviewing the 1994 Dietary Supplement Health Education Act clarify where industry is at today. A discussion regarding Germany's Commission E and their contribution to the herbal industry as well as reasons why the US is not following …

Syndrome X: A Review Of The Cluster Of Abnormalities, Diagnosis, And Treatment, Kathryn Lundgren Gurney

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Syndrome X is a cluster of abnormalities including insulin resistance, hypertension, dyslipidemia, upper-body obesity, increased levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor 1, decreased levels of tissue plasminogen activator, and hyperuricemia. The combined effect of these abnormalities greatly increases risk for Type 2 diabetes and coronary artery disease. Individuals at risk for Syndrome X are those with any of the abnormalities (not necessarily all) or with a family history of diabetes, hypertension, or early-onset coronary artery disease. Treatment of Syndrome X should be early and aggressive, starting with lifestyle changes. Exercise, proper diet, and weight loss all improve insulin resistance and thereby …

Antioxidants And Alcohol In The Progression Of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Laura Lynne Prestwich

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Wasting syndrome in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) appears to play a role in decline of immune function. Along with poor appetite, HIV infected individuals seem to have a tendency to be heavy alcohol drinkers which may be immunosuppressive and cause malnutrition. Altered macronutrient metabolism visibly contributes to wasting; however, micronutrient deficiencies also appear to play a role. Micronutrient deficiency has also been known to decrease immune function. As part of their role as antioxidants, P-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E, and selenium may be helpful in altering cell production and response to cytokines and other secretions. This may decrease viral replication …

Vegetarianism, Kimberly A. Folkman

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Although vegetarian eating has been around throughout recorded history, in recent years, interest in this eating style has gone up dramatically. As the number of individuals adopting vegetarian dietary practices increases, healthcare professionals are called upon to provide guidance and advice. It is the position of The American Dietetic Association that appropriately planned vegetarian diets are healthful, are nutritionally adequate, and provide health benefits in the prevention and treatment of certain diseases. Both vegetarian and nonvegetarian eating patterns can be healthful-or detrimental to your health. Studies indicate that vegetarians often have lower morbidity and mortality rates from several chronic degenerative …

Protein-Based Diets: Fact Or Fiction?, Melanie Douglass

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Protein-based diets are once again popular among the those vulnerable to quick weight loss schemes. Advocates for these diets claim quick, permanent weight loss, disease prevention, improved physical performance, and even enhanced mental productivity. It is claimed that a diet high in carbohydrate contributes to hyperinsulinemia, fat storage, and "bad" eicosanoid production among other things. However, the detrimental effect of a low carbohydrate, high protein diet is rarely discussed. Subjects who follow protein-based diets are prone to a state of ketosis, which causes them to lose an unhealthy amount of nutrients and water. In general the protein-based diets are a …

Targeting Minority Groups In Community Nutrition, Trisha Sisson Brimhall

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

A community nutritionist takes on the immense task of "improving the nutrition, and ... health of individuals and groups within communities" (1). These objectives are generally met by private sector sponsors such as health care facilities, work-site wellness programs and food banks. If the arena of public health is included, then the dietitian's scope is enlarged to include federally-funded agencies designed to improve public health and disease prevention (1). Skills required of these community dietitians not only include clinical knowledge and assessment skills, but marketing, education, and research competencies. The challenges of community nutrition range from counseling an individual on …

The Maternal Diet Can Prevent Neural Tube Defects, Shannon Michelle Gardner

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Maternal diet and nutritional status have a direct impact on pregnancy course and outcome. Nutrition is critical to the development of the human embryo and fetus. Each year in the United States, approximately 4000 pregnancies are affected by neural tube defects (NTD). The most important finding in recent years has been the relationship between maternal folic acid status and NTDs. Other studies have found an association between zinc deficiency and an increased risk for having an NTD-affected pregnancy. Furthermore, some of the latest research has linked maternal obesity with the development of NTDs. The cumulative data from several studies have …

The Beneficial Effects Of Supplemental Vitamins C And E In Diabetic Subjects, Jessica Rupp Gibbons

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Few reviews have been written related to the benefits of supplementing vitamin C and E in diabetic individuals. Excessive protein glycosylation is seen in persons with diabetes, and vitamin E and C have been shown to be beneficial in decreasing the glycosylation of proteins. In addition, vitamins E and Care potent antioxidants and actively reduce oxidation, triglycerides, and free fatty acid levels in diabetics. Diabetics may benefit from supplementing vitamins E and C.

The National School Lunch Program, Katherine M. Hadley

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

In 1946, President Harry Truman signed the National School Lunch Act which recently celebrated its 50th anniversary (1). It was established by congress "to safeguard the health and well-being of the nation's children" (2). The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) is a federally assisted meal program that is functioning in more than 94,000 public and nonprofit private schools. Lunches through the NSLP are served to more than 25 million school children each day.

Good To The Last Drop And Crumb: Better Living Through Yeast Byproducts, Brad Willis

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

A crisp pilsner beer, still dripping from its icy spot in the cooler, complements any sunny summer barbecue, while in the winter a rich burgundy warms the throat and soul, a perfect fireside companion. The mothers who frequent the Wonder bread discount outlet demonstrate to what extent our hectic society takes the staff of life for granted. It is difficult to imagine them actually baking every loaf, roll, bun, and donut that they toss into their carts while herding rambunctious broods down the narrow aisles. Rarely does anyone give a second thought to these ancient components of civilized life beyond …