Life Sciences Commons^™

Food For Thought: The Impact Of The Gut-Brain Axis On Mental Health, Emily S. Miiller

Honors Thesis

Research regarding the role of the human microbiome has grown over the years as professionals develop a better understanding of the gut-brain axis. New studies and expanding knowledge on the relationship between the nervous system and gut microbiome promote a deeper understanding of the impact of diet on mental health. Diet plays a crucial role in maintaining a healthy balance between the gut and the brain. Incorporating nutritional modulators, such as probiotics, prebiotics, and vitamins, is crucial for supporting the gut-brain axis by influencing neurotransmitter production, managing inflammation, and promoting the growth of beneficial gut bacteria. On the other hand, …

Exploring Profiles Of Fathers Integrating Food And Physical Activity Parenting Practices, John A Jimenez-Garcia, Louise C Mâsse, Robert L Newton, Salma M Musaad, Alicia Beltran, Teresia M O'Connor

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

Objective: This study aims to identify fathers' profiles integrating food parenting practices (FPP) and physical activity parenting practices (PAPP).

Design: We analysed cross-sectional data. The fathers completed the reduced FPP and PAPP item banks and socio-demographic and family dynamics (co-parenting and household responsibility) questionnaires. We identified fathers' profiles via latent profile analysis. We explored the influence of social determinants, child characteristics and family dynamics on fathers' profiles using multinomial logistic regression.

Setting: Online survey in the USA.

Participants: Fathers of 5-11-year-old children.

Results: We analysed data from 606 fathers (age = 38 ± 8·0; Hispanic = 37·5 %). Most fathers …

More Choosy For Minor Foods: Diet, Seasonality And Food Selection In Sympatric Frugivorous And Folivorous Lemurs, Mitchell Irwin, Vololonirina Rahalinarivo, Bruno Ramorasata, Jean-Luc Raharison, Jean-Freddy Ranaivoarisoa, Chloé Gherardi, Jessica Rothman

Faculty Articles, Papers, and Other Scholarship

Despite traditional dietary categories common in primatology (folivore, frugivore, insectivore), most primates use one or more food types beyond their primary one. Among lemurs, folivores tend to have a complicated, long gastrointestinal tract with an enlarged cecum, shearing teeth, and microbiome adaptations to foliage, while frugivores have simple teeth and guts and fast gut passage. Yet frugivores often eat some leaves, and folivores eat some fruit, and little is known about the selection rules they follow within each food type. We quantified diet and food chemistry for two sympatric rainforest lemurs: a cathemeral frugivore (brown lemur, Eulemur fulvus) and a …

Cardiometabolic Benefits Of A Non-Industrialized-Type Diet Are Linked To Gut Microbiome Modulation, Fuyong Li, Anissa M. Armet, Katri Korpela, Junhong Liu, Rodrigo Margain Quevedo, Francesco Asnicar, Benjamin Seethaler, Tianna B. S. Rusnak, Janis L. Cole, Zhihong Zhang, Shuang Zhao, Adele Gagnon, Edward C. Deehan, Joao F. Mota, Jeffrey A. Bakal, Russell Greiner, Dan Knights, Nicola Segata, Stephan C. Bischoff, Laurie Mereu, Andrea M. Haqq, Catherine J. Field, Liang Li, Carla M. Prado, Jens Walter

Department of Food Science and Technology: Faculty Publications

Industrialization adversely affects the gut microbiome and predisposes individuals to chronic non-communicable diseases. We tested a microbiome restoration strategy comprising a diet that recapitulated key characteristics of non-industrialized dietary patterns (restore diet) and a bacterium rarely found in industrialized microbiomes (Limosilactobacillus reuteri) in a randomized controlled feeding trial in healthy Canadian adults. The restore diet, despite reducing gut microbiome diversity, enhanced the persistence of L. reuteri strain from rural Papua New Guinea (PB-W1) and redressed several microbiome features altered by industrialization. The diet also beneficially altered microbiota-derived plasma metabolites implicated in the etiology of chronic non-communicable diseases. Considerable …

A High-Lipid Diet Leads To Greater Pathology And Lower Tolerance During Infection, Weston Gerald Perrine, Erin Sauer, Ashley C. Love, Ashley Morris, Johnathan Novotny, Sarah Durant

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

Altered food landscapes contribute importantly to wildlife disease dynamics and may play a critical role in host heterogeneity in disease outcomes through changes in host diet composition. We explored the effects of dietary macronutrient composition on disease pathology and feeding behavior of canaries (Serinus canaria domestica) infected with Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG). In the first experiment, we provided canaries with isocaloric diets composed of identical ingredients that varied in macronutrient content (high protein or high lipid) then MG- or sham-inoculated birds. In the second experiment, we offered both diets to canaries before and after MG or sham inoculation. In experiment one, …

International Society Of Sports Nutrition Position Stand: Nutrition And Weight Cut Strategies For Mixed Martial Arts And Other Combat Sports, Anthony A. Ricci, Cassandra Evans, Charles Stull, Corey A. Peacock, Duncan N. French, Jeffrey R. Stout, David H. Fukuda, Paul La Bounty, Douglas Kalman, Andrew J. Galpin, Jaime Tartar, Sarah Johnson, Richard B. Kreider, Chad Kerksick, Bill I. Campbell, Aaron Jeffery, Chris Algieri, Jose Antonio

Faculty Scholarship

Following an extensive literature review, the International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN) has developed an official position on nutritional and weight cut strategies for combat sports. The type of combat sport, length of the fight camp, and time between weigh-in and competition are factors influencing nutritional and weight cut strategies. The following 16points constitute the Position Statement of the Society; the Research Committee has approved them. 1. Combat sports have differing weight categories, official weigh-in times, and competition frequencies, influencing the nutritional and weight cut strategies for training and competition. 2. As the duration of a combat match increases, >4 …

An Evaluation Of Sports Nutrition Knowledge And Influencing Factors In Ncaa Division Iii Athletes, Kerrie Berends, Michael J. Wierenga, Madeline Frens

University Faculty Publications and Creative Works

Introduction:This study evaluated the sports nutrition knowledge of NCAA Division III (DIII) athletes, examining the influence of demographic and sport-specific factors. Nutrition is a critical component of athletic performance, recovery, and overall health, yet prior research indicatescollegiate athletes often lack adequate nutrition knowledge.

Methods: A total of 412 athletes, representing 17 different sports across endurance, power, and skill categories, completed the validated Abridged Nutrition for Sport Knowledge Questionnaire (A-NSKQ). The sample included freshmen through fifth-year seniorathletes, predominantlyCaucasian (85%).

Results: The average A-NSKQ score was 17.1 out of 35 (48.9%), indicating suboptimal knowledge. Significant differences were found across …

Dietary Program For The Reduction Of Type 2 Diabetes Prevalence In A South Texas Border Region, Siddiqua Noor

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Project Abstract

PURPOSE The purpose of this project was to create a culturally sensitive dietary program template to serve as a guide to offer healthier food alternatives to reduce the incidence of type 2 diabetes while not compromising on their Hispanic heritage.

BACKGROUND This project was implemented in a South Texas border community which has nearly twice the national average of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, which presents a significant public health challenge.

METHODOLOGY The project followed the Plan-Do-Study-Act cycle and incorporated the Health Belief Model. A dietary pamphlet featuring local culturally relevant food options was developed. The material was presented at two …

Nutrition Security – Why It Matters?, Priscilla Ayine, Veronica Oates

Extension Publications

No abstract provided.

Science, Physiology, And Nutrition For The Nonscientist, Judi S. Morrill

Open Educational Resources

A wonderful blend of physiology, nutrition, biochemistry, genetics, biology, evolution, chemistry--what we all need to know as informed citizens. A basic knowledge of the life sciences and how our bodies work--to promote our own good health, especially as we're bombarded with misleading advertisements, soundbites, and the like. DNA fingerprinting, calorie requirements, dietary advice, genetic engineering (including gene editing with CRISPR cas9)--all in an easy-to understand book.

The Power Of Plate & Knowledge: Nutrition’S Role In Pcos Management For Asian American Women, Cassandra Curameng Diego Curameng

Nursing | Senior Theses

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a common metabolic endocrine condition with symptoms that severely impair women's physical and reproductive health. However, individuals with PCOS, especially Asian American women, lack sufficient understanding of non-pharmacological symptom management options, such as dietary and lifestyle modifications. This research proposal explores whether culturally appropriate nutrition education can help manage PCOS symptoms and lessen the need for medical management. The literature critique focuses on addressing the knowledge gap regarding treatment management among women diagnosed with PCOS, health risks related to PCOS, ethnic differences, and nutrition. This proposal investigates the impact of a dietary education program tailored …

The Association Between Food Benefit Online Ordering And Redemptions: Evidence From The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program For Women, Infants, And Children, Junzhou Zhang, Chuanyi Tang, Kayoung Park, Qi Zhang

Marketing Faculty Publications

Objective:

To examine how the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) online food benefit ordering could influence WIC benefit redemptions.

Design:

A cross-sectional study. We compare the average redemption rates between online ordering early adopters and non-adopters among WIC customers before and after implementing WIC online ordering. A propensity score-weighted difference-in-difference model was used to estimate the coefficients.

Setting:

The Oklahoma WIC programme and a grocery store chain in Oklahoma.

Participants:

12743 Oklahoma WIC households that had redeemed their food benefits at the grocery store chain in 2020.

Results:

WIC online ordering significantly positively affected redemption …

Effects Of Diet Composition On Physical Parameters In Danio Rerio, Isabella Hemphill

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

With the use of zebrafish as a common model organism for human health, the reduction of confounding variables in their care is key. Many commercialized zebrafish diets are available for purchase, but each one consists of a different ratio of these crucial macronutrients. This study aimed to determine the effects long-term diets high in one macronutrient would have on the morphometrics, heart, liver, and protein content of zebrafish. Four diets were fed over a period of almost two years- high lipid, high carb, high protein, and a control diet. The control diet was the standard feed used in this lab, …

L-Theanine Modulates Stress Physiology And Immunology In Nile Tilapia, Sammie Miller, Lindee Mason, Shah Sumaiya Khaled, Elena Deng, Ahmed Mustafa

Mansoura Veterinary Medical Journal

Background: Fish are a prominent food source within the growing aquaculture industry, particularly within recirculating aquaculture systems, to alleviate global hunger demands. Diminishing detrimental stress conditions such as overcrowding prevalence and chemical toxins remain a primary goal. Nutraceuticals, particularly L-theanine, pose a natural alternative solution to alleviate these conditions. The amino acid L-theanine was scrutinized as a potential nutraceutical additive within commercial feed within the diet of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, subjected to stress and unstressed in-vivo conditions.

Methods: To accomplish this, both 0.004% of body weight of L-theanine and 0.01% of body weight of hydrocortisone were implemented into feed …

Effects Of Single-Cell Dietary Protein Sources On Feeding, Growth, And Resource Allocation In The Juvenile Sea Urchin Lytechinus Variegatus, Darrien Jamila De Jesus

All ETDs from UAB

An understanding of nutrition can improve culture of sea urchins, whether as a research model or in the production of seafood products. Macronutrients, including dietary protein sources, can affect growth and reproductive profiles and alter resource allocation to somatic and gametic tissues. Although sea urchins in culture can be fed natural products, diet formulations using various ingredients can be developed to reliably produce desired outcomes. Single-cell protein sources represent a potential alternative to current industry standards of animal-derived protein sources such as fish and squid meal, which are becoming increasingly overfished and expensive. In the present study, we evaluated the …

Fluid Intake And Hydration Responses To Mass Participation Gravel Cycling, Carly Schuerger, Brandon Raik, Francis Salmon, Kian Foote, Angelo Madlambayan, Maya Vega, Grace Handler, Matthew M. Schubert

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 17(2): 1648-1662, 2024. Gravel cycling is a relatively new cycling discipline, with the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) hosting their first World Championships in 2022. Gravel races combine features of road racing, cyclocross, and mountain biking, including terrain of varying technical difficulty, long distances, substantial elevation gain, obstacles, and limited opportunities to stop for in-race nutrition. This study assessed hydration responses to gravel races of three different distances. Data were collected on saliva osmolarity (SOsm), body mass (BM), fluid intake, and nutrition knowledge at a gravel cycling race in April 2023. A total of 121 participants …

Ai-Enabled Wearable Cameras For Assisting Dietary Assessment In African Populations, Frank P-W Lo, Jianing Qiu, Modou L Jobarteh, Yingnan Sun, Zeyu Wang, Shuo Jiang, Tom Baranowski, Alex K Anderson, Megan A Mccrory, Edward Sazonov, Wenyan Jia, Mingui Sun, Matilda Steiner-Asiedu, Gary Frost, Benny Lo

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

We have developed a population-level method for dietary assessment using low-cost wearable cameras. Our approach, EgoDiet, employs an egocentric vision-based pipeline to learn portion sizes, addressing the shortcomings of traditional self-reported dietary methods. To evaluate the functionality of this method, field studies were conducted in London (Study A) and Ghana (Study B) among populations of Ghanaian and Kenyan origin. In Study A, EgoDiet's estimations were contrasted with dietitians' assessments, revealing a performance with a Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) of 31.9% for portion size estimation, compared to 40.1% for estimates made by dietitians. We further evaluated our approach in Study …

The Power Of Plate & Knowledge: Nutrition’S Role In Pcos Management For Asian American Women, Cassandra Camille Diego Curameng

Nursing | Student Research Posters

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a metabolic endocrine disorder affecting 8–11% of women worldwide, with 70% remaining undiagnosed (WHO, 2023). It presents with symptoms such as irregular menstrual cycles, insulin resistance, high testosterone levels, anxiety, depression, and infertility, significantly impacting quality of life and health (OASH, 2021). The symptoms of PCOS can severely impact women’s quality of life, mental health, and long-term well-being. Insulin resistance contributes to symptom severity and a 50% likelihood of developing diabetes or prediabetes by age 40 (Wang et al., 2011). Women with PCOS face a threefold increased risk of endometrial, ovarian, and breast cancers (Barry …

Changes In Nutrition, Food Safety, And Physical Activity Behaviors: A Comparison Between The Peak Health And Performance And Teen Cuisine Curricula, Tyler B. Becker, Ronald J. Gibbs Jr.

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

This study compared the Peak Health and Performance curriculum (PHP) to the Teen Cuisine curriculum (TC) on improving nutrition, food safety, and physical activity (PA) behaviors among youth. The quasi-experimental study was conducted in Michigan middle and high schools and included 1007 5th- through 12th-grade students, who participated in either the PHP or the TC curriculum. There were 465 students in the PHP group and 495 students in the TC group. Nutrition, food safety, and PA behaviors were surveyed before and after each program. Individual curriculum pre- and post-scores were compared using a paired t-test, and between-group changes were examined …

Edible Caterpillars (Gonimbrasia Belina And Gynanisa Maja) As Emerging Source Of Nutrients And Bioactive Compounds, Chrysantus M. Tanga, Brian O. Ochieng, Dennis Beesigamukama, Changeh J. Ghemoh, Cynthia Mudalungu, Xavier Cheseto, Isaac M. Osuga, Sevgan Subramanian, Segenet Kelemu

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Globally, despite the commercial and cultural importance of edible caterpillars (Gynanisa maja and Gonimbrasia belina), comprehensive information on their dietary and therapeutic benefits has not been fully explored. The study was aimed at evaluating the nutritional composition and bioactive compounds profile of two important edible caterpillars (Gonimbrasia belina and Gynanisa maja) in Africa. Our results demonstrated that G. belina and G. maja are capable of amplifying host plant protein (17 %) by 4.3-folds [72.8 %] and 3.6-folds [61.3 %], respectively. Lysine (32.6 mg/g), methionine (12.5–27.1 mg/g) and valine (7.7–25.4 mg/g) value were significantly harnessed. Substantial amounts of ω−3 fatty acids …

Household Food Expenditure Typology And Its Association With Child Stunting And Anemia In Indonesia, Ratu Ayu Dewi Sartika, Yusnita Yusnita, Winda M. Ningsih, Ririn Arminsih Wulandari, Siti A. Pujonarti, Fadila Wirawan

Kesmas

Stunting and anemia remain the coexisting nutritional problems among Indonesian children. However, evidence of household-level food expenditure and its association with child stunting and anemia is limited. This study aimed to observe the association between household food expenditure typology and child stunting and anemia in Indonesia. Data was obtained from the 2007 and 2014 Indonesia Family Life Survey (IFLS). The household food expenditure, child nutritional status, and anemia were observed in 2007 and 2014. Latent class analysis was taken to identify the food expenditure pattern. Binary logistic regression was applied to analyze the association between household food expenditure patterns and …

Variation In Diet And Leafy Browse Offerings Amongcolobus Monkeys (Colobus Spp.) And Langurs(Trachypithecus Spp.) In Aza Facilities, Maura R. Plocek, Noah T. Dunham

Student Scholarship

Providing nutritionally balanced diets is a key aspect of successful husbandry and can help support sustainable ex situ populations. This study focuses on the diets of zoo‐housed colobus monkeys (Colobus angolensis and C. guereza) and langurs (Trachypithecus cristatus and T. francoisi) across AZA institutions. We utilized survey responses from 34 institutions to (1)document the extent of dietary variation with regard to food categories and macronutrients offered, (2) assess interspecific variation in diets offered, and (3) identify important aspects of browse provisioning among institutions. A total of 95 different food items and 229 common‐name browse types were …

Early Weaning Of Lambs In A Poor Season, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Animal production and livestock factsheets

The feed requirements of a ewe with a lamb at foot are higher than if the ewe and lambs are fed separately. In a difficult season with short feed supplies, it is better to early-wean lambs from their mothers to lower feed costs and ensure that the ewes regain condition before joining. This issue becomes even more important as the costs of feeds increase.

Ewe's milk provides the main source of nutrition for lambs until about eight weeks of age. Lambs will sample pasture from about two weeks after birth but by eight weeks of age pasture overtakes milk as …

Effects Of Different Protein And Lipid Levels In Practical Diets For Yellowtail Snapper, Ocyurus Chrysurus (Bloch, 1971), Stephanie F. Velasquez, Leonardo Ibarra-Castro, Alexis Weldon, Donald Allen Davis

Biology Faculty Publications

Yellowtail snapper Ocyurus chrysurus has great potential as a production fish in aquaculture, yet there is very limited information on its nutritional requirements. To establish baseline data, two trials were conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary protein and lipid levels in practical diets on growth and protein retention. The first trial, conducted over 14 weeks, used a series of diets with varying levels of protein (36%, 40%, and 44%) and lipids (6%, 10%, and 14%). The second trial, conducted for 10 weeks, used a series of diets with 36% protein and scaled lipid levels (7%, 10%, 13%, and 16%). …

Protracted Maternal Malnutrition Induces Aberrant Changes In Maternal Uterine Artery Hemodynamics And The Metabolic Profiles Of The Dam And Neonate, Jennifer F. Thorson, Ligia D. Prezotto

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Malnutritional stress during gestation is a well-established driver of metabolic disfunction in offspring. Extended exposure to malnutrition requires metabolic plasticity as the animal shifts toward a catabolic state. In this paper we demonstrate the influence of malnutrition throughout gestation on uterine artery hemodynamics and the metabolism of the dam and neonate. We hypothesized that gestational malnutrition reduces blood flow of the maternal uterine artery and regulates the metabolic profile of the dam and offspring. Further, the combination of these factors consequently influences the concentration of metabolites in the cerebrospinal fluid of the neonate at birth. To test our hypotheses, pregnant …

Key Monitoring Times For The Ewe Flock, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Animal production and livestock factsheets

To ensure sheep are in the right condition at the right time, they should be frequently monitored and their nutrition adjusted throughout the year. Frequent monitoring is especially important at times of drought, or at the change of season when paddock condition can change rapidly.

The Association Between Food Production, Food Security, Household Consumer Behaviour And Waist-Hip Ratio Amongst Women In Smallholder Farming Households In Kilifi County, Kenya, Rosebella Iseme, Eunice Muthoni, Roselyter Riang’A, Felix Agoi, Noveline Khatievi, James Orwa, Beatrice Karembo Karisa, Bibi Abdallah Bakari, Morris Ogero, Mwanamaka Mabruki, Cyprian Mostert, Anthony Ngugi

Population Health, East Africa

Food insecurity disproportionately affects smallholder farming households and within them women, who bear primary caregiving responsibilities and contend with time and resource constraints that heighten their vulnerability to adverse nutrition-related health outcomes. This study cross-sectionally investigates the association between food production practices, household consumer behaviour, and the experience of food insecurity with women's waist-hip ratio (WHR), a key indicator of abdominal obesity, in a coastal community in Kenya. In total, 394 households were randomly selected from a list of farming households in Kaloleni and Rabai sub-counties of Kilifi. Trained enumerators administered questionnaires to adult female family members who play a …

Practices And Perceptions Of Uae Residents: Food Safety In Handling And Preparation Of Fish, Consumption, And Nutrition From Fish, Noof Ahmad Al Marzooqi

Theses

Background: UAE is uniquely located with an extensive seafront, which has led to the development of fishing and fisheries in the country. As a result, the UAE's diverse population has become one of the highest fish consumers among the Gulf countries. The high fish consumption in the UAE was a part of the traditional diet; however, a better understanding of UAE residents' practices and perceptions of fish food safety, fish preparation, and nutrition from fish consumption was needed. Objective: This study investigates food safety practices in handling and preparation of fish, consumption trends, and perceptions of nutrition from fish among …

Harvesting Health: The Role Of City Policy In Urban Agriculture And The Downstream Effects On Youth, Lesley Leake

Theses and Dissertations

Contextualizing environmental health within the socio-ecological framework, acknowledges the diverse factors at play in the environment-human dynamic. The research design, methods, and study populations of each chapter vary to match the socio-ecological level(s) of focus and reinforce the translational and interdisciplinary nature of this research. Chapter 2 examines the policy-supports for urban agriculture using a mixed-methods case-study of the City of Charleston, SC to understand how municipal policy (societal) impacts urban agriculture implementation (community) and what impact this has on residents (relationship and individual). Chapter 3 centers on the potential impact of urban farms (community) and their programming (community and …

Current Trends And Experiences From A Contract Research Organization Perspective, Dan Moore

Proceedings of the Arkansas Nutrition Conference

The primary goal of this presentation is to provide an update on the trends of research observed at a contract research organization (CRO) in recent years as it relates to species, study design type and products tested, as well as, challenge models used and products that have shown benefits in various study designs. The information in the presentation is based off of studies conducted from 2014-2024 at one CRO, Colorado Quality Research (CQR), and represents the experiences at CQR. Many of the parameters discussed will be from 2014-2019 and 2020-2024 to observe trends from over 5 years ago and more …