Nutrition Commons^™

Youth Agricultural Engagement And Its Association With Dietary Diversity, Household Food Insecurity, And Nutritional Status In Southwest Nigeria, Sherif Olasoji

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Youth remain underserved in nutrition research, policy, and programming despite being an integral part of the food systems. While the nutrition-sensitive agriculture framework has been established, there is limited evidence demonstrating how youth engagement in agriculture can serve as a pathway to improve nutritional outcomes. The study assessed youth agricultural engagement and its association with household dietary diversity, household food insecurity, and nutritional status in southwest Nigeria.

Using a cross-sectional design, data on socio-demographic characteristics, agricultural engagement, dietary diversity, household food insecurity, body mass index, and skin carotenoids were collected from 143 youth aged 15 to 35 from Ekiti, Osun, …

Bridging Animal Production And Human Nutrition: How Production Ecology Shapes The Nutritional Quality Of Terrestrial Animal Foods And Human Omega-3 Status, Joseph Vinod Varre

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

The question at the center of this dissertation is simple: does the way food is produced change the quality of the food itself in ways that matter for human health? Across a series of studies on bison meat, eggs, and human dietary intervention, the answer was yes. This work began with a broad look at the modern food system and the nutritional consequences of industrialized diets. In particular, it focused on the growing imbalance between omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids in the Western diet. This balance matters because omega-3 fats support heart, brain, and immune health, and diets high in …

The Effects Of Psychological Stress On Gut Health In Mice Fed Either A Healthy Diet Or The Total Western Diet, David Keenan Thomas Prescott

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

The Total Western Diet (TWD), a rodent diet designed to model the typical American dietary pattern, has been shown to worsen inflammation and colitis severity in mice. Psychological stress has also been associated with increased intestinal inflammation, barrier dysfunction, and alterations to the gut microbiome. The goal of this study was to determine whether combining the TWD with psychological stress would further worsen colitis severity and alter the gut microbiome. To investigate this, mice were fed either a healthy control diet or the TWD and exposed to psychological stress using a social disruption stress model. Colitis was induced using established …

Formulation And Analysis Of Physiochemical And Sensory Properties Of Ready-To-Mix Whey Protein Phospholipid Concentrate Beverage, Chris Jaquin

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Whey protein phospholipid concentrate (WPPC) is commonly recovered as a coproduct in filtration process whose aim is to obtain whey protein isolate (WPI) from whey protein concentrate (WPC). Whey protein phospholipid concentrate is high in milk fat globule membrane (MFGM), which has been shown in rodent and human studies to have a variety of physiological benefits, including an increase in exercise capacity. Whey protein phospholipid concentrate is currently considered as an underused dairy coproduct, with most of it either being disposed of or used as animal feed. This research consisted of incorporating WPPC in a protein shake–like beverage at a …

Comparison Of Methods For Defatted Human Milk And Nutrient Composition: An Experimental Study, Kristin Cheng, Gina O'Toole, Stephanie Chang, Richard Chang, John Miklavcic

Food Science Faculty Articles and Research

Background

Human milk is considered the gold standard for infant nutrition; however, it is often discontinued in chylothorax and severe very long-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (VLCAD) deficiency. As an alternative to complete human milk restriction, defatted human milk may be fed, though it may not fully support optimal infant growth and development. This study aimed to assess the micronutrient profile of defatted human milk.

Methods

Human milk was obtained from UCSD Human Milk Research Biorepository (San Diego, CA). Thirty samples representing 10 independent expressions in the morning, afternoon, and evening were pooled for analysis. Fat removal was performed by centrifugation at …

Evaluating Variety- And Market-Class-Specific Effects Of Dietary Pulses On Human Health, Jiayu Tang

Department of Food Science and Technology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

While pulses are globally recognized for their high levels of dietary fibers, protein, and polyphenols, research often focuses on characterizing the physiological effects of a single variety. This approach overlooks the substantial genetic and compositional diversity that exists across pulse varieties and individual market classes, which can differ extensively in nutrient content and structure. These compositional differences have the potential to produce distinct physiological and microbial responses in humans, yet variety- and market-class-specific effects remain poorly characterized.

This thesis uses two complementary research methodologies to investigate the health-relevant effects of different pulse varieties and market classes, providing foundational knowledge to …

The Gut Microbiome, The Gut-Brain Axis, And College Student Well-Being, Idi Mckay

University Honors Theses

This literature review examines how diet, stress, environmental exposure, and food accessibility may influence college students' mental health and academic performance through the gut microbiome and the Gut-Brain Axis (GBA). Current microbiome research often focuses on early childhood development, clinical disease populations, or older adults, while overlooking college-age students who experience significant social, environmental, and biological transitions. College students frequently face food insecurity, irregular eating patterns, chronic stress, inconsistent sleep schedules, and reduced access to nutrient-dense foods, all of which may influence microbial diversity and overall gut health.

This thesis explores how modern campus environments and lifestyle factors may contribute …

Limitations And Alternative Applications Of Carbohydrate Fatty Acid Esters As Food Antimicrobials: A Review, Valeria Rodríguez Monge, Namhyeon Park

Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Science Student Research

Carbohydrate fatty acid esters (CFAs) are nontoxic food additives with reported antimicrobial activity and growing interest as a potential safer alternative to conventional preservatives. However, their translation into real food systems remains limited. This review examined the main factors that restrict the antimicrobial performance of CFAs in foods and evaluated emerging alternative applications, particularly edible coatings, antibiofilm strategies, and synergistic combinations with other cleaning agents or processing techniques. Overall, the available evidence indicates that the antimicrobial efficacy of CFAs is often reduced in real food matrices compared with in vitro conditions. This loss of activity has been mainly associated with …

Roots And Greens: Discovering The Power Of Indigenous Produce, Abiodun T. Atoloye, Sherif O. Olasoji, Ebunoluwa G. Ibidapo

Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Sciences Courseware

The curriculum was designed in alignment with the Cognitive Theory of Multimedia Learning (CTML), Empowerment Theory (ET), and Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) frameworks. These frameworks were used to determine the selection and sequencing of learning activities. As reflected in CTML principles, the use of texts, images, infographics, and videos enhances knowledge retention and information comprehension and helps prevent cognitive overload. Through activities, homework, and family engagement, the principles of ET were incorporated into the curriculum to facilitate participants’ perceived control over food-related decisions. Additionally, by applying the principles of SCT, the curriculum incorporates scenario-based questions, opportunities to engage with peers, …

Examining The Ligands, Location, And Function Of Toll-Like Receptor 10, Kiefer Keanu Tam

Master's Theses

Toll-like receptors are a class of innate immune pattern recognition receptors that detect pathogen-associated molecular patterns and regulate downstream inflammatory responses. Toll-like receptor 10 remains the only human TLR whose ligand specificity, cellular localization, and immunological function are not fully defined. Emerging evidence suggests that TLR10 may play an anti-inflammatory role and can heterodimerize with TLR2 to modulate immune signaling. Previous studies from our laboratory demonstrated that stimulation with heat-killed Mycobacterium tuberculosis promotes TLR2-TLR10 heterodimerization and trafficking to the cell surface. In this study, we expanded our ligand panel to include additional gram-positive bacteria, particularly anti-inflammatory probiotic species, to further …

Caffeine Perceptions And Reality In High School Gymnasts, Gabrielle Steinkopf

InnovateHER Meeting 2026

From years of observation as a high school gymnast, there is a noted “caffeine culture” among gymnasts at my high school. Since gymnastics is a precision sport with not inconsiderable danger, I wondered what impact caffeine ingestion had on athletes. Athletes were asked to give up caffeine during a series of regular season meets, with reflection questions immediately after each meet to assess the impact caffeine might have had on performance vs the gymnasts’ perception of the effects

Precision To Protein: Comparative Characterization Of Printability, Physicochemical, And Nutritional Properties Of Cricket, Pea, And Whey Proteins In 3d-Printed Nutrition Bars, Sophia Hinkebein

Food Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

Protein is a priority nutrient in the American diet, being fueled by the demands of weight loss drugs, diet culture, and new dietary guidelines. However, meeting these elevated protein goals sustainably requires diversifying beyond standard sources like whey protein isolate. 3D printing offers an opportunity to present a variety of protein sources in a palatable, customized, and consumer-acceptable format. In this study, 3 protein sources (cricket, whey, and pea), were optimized within food inks for 3D printing. Optimization involved different hydration levels, with whey requiring 7 grams of added water, cricket 22 grams, and pea the most at 47 grams. …

At The Intersection Of Science And Sustainability: A Qualitative Study Of Food Scientists' Personal And Professional Perspectives, Srushti Parikh

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Sustainable food systems require not only technological innovation but a more profound understanding of the professionals involved in the field. Even though the topic of sustainability is currently gaining importance throughout the food industry, the real expertise of food scientists is under-researched. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to explore food scientists' perspectives on sustainability, how these perceptions influence the way they pursue their careers, and how they view their impact in the larger sustainability agenda of the food industry. METHODS AND MATERIALS: This study captured detailed insights of 22 food scientists’ perspectives through qualitative methods. Food scientists in …

Food-Form Delivery Of Spore-Forming Probiotics As An Alternative To Gavage In Animal Models, Aubreyona Faith Migliori Skalka

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Western dietary patterns are characterized by nutrient-poor, calorie-rich diets and have been linked to poor health outcomes and gut inflammation phenotypes. Probiotics are often taken to support gut health, but many beneficial bacteria do not survive transport through the digestive system to produce any effect. Spore-forming bacteria, such as Bacillus coagulans, are more resilient due to their hardy outer coat which aids in survival through many obstacles encountered in the gastrointestinal tract, including acidic stomach conditions. In research studies, probiotics are usually given to mice through a procedure called oral gavage, where a tube is used to deliver the …

Impact Of Inhibiting Mitochondrial Calcium Uptake On Calcium Homeostasis And Postmortem Metabolism In Porcine Muscle, Fatema Rahaman Mishu

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

After harvesting the animal, pork muscle continues to undergo changes as it turns from muscle into meat. During this early period, the muscle uses up energy and produces acid, which lowers pH and can affect important quality traits such as color and how well the meat holds water. A key driver of these early changes is calcium, a natural mineral inside muscle cells that helps control contraction and energy use. In this study, we tested whether mitochondria (the cell’s “powerhouse”) help control calcium after harvest and, in turn, influence early postmortem changes in pork. We used a research compound (DS16570511) …

Tips For Health Care Practitioners: A Guide For Adolescent Obesity, Regina Santana

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Adolescent obesity continues to be a significant public health concern that is associated with long term physical consequences. The purpose of this project was to develop an evidence based, user friendly guidebook that supports healthcare professionals in the education of adolescents with obesity and their families. A structured literature review development process was used to inform the current development of the guidebook. The guidebook includes components of obesity management such as nutrition and physical activity recommendations. The validity of the content was established through the evaluation of five healthcare professionals that include registered dietitians and licensed therapists. The guidebook was …

Food Insecurity On College Campus, Erika Islao, Izzy Green, Rachel Stone, Ariana Messer

Celebrating Scholarship and Creativity Day (2018-)

Food Insecurity can affect certain groups more than others. At the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University we've observed it in international students, student-athletes, and those without transportation. Although CSBSJU offers several dining options, it can still be difficult for students to access meals due to limited availability during breaks, limited dining hours for student-athletes, and transportation barriers. This paper examines how food insecurity and nutrition insecurity impact students’ overall well-being while also exploring how these challenges appear within the CSBSJU community. Research shows that students experiencing food insecurity often report higher stress levels, and lower academic engagement. …

Mechanistic Insights Into Enterolactone-Mediated Glut4-Dependent Glucose Uptake, Merritt Smith

Senior Honors Theses

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the United States, with approximately 25% of healthcare expenditures directed toward its management and associated metabolic complications. In response to the urgent need for novel therapeutic strategies, recent research has focused on bioactive compounds derived from dietary sources. In light of that, we identified the plant lignan matairesinol (MA) and its gut-derived metabolite, enterolactone (ENL), as agents capable of enhancing glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 differentiated adipocytes. These results suggest that enterolactone may represent a promising dietary supplement for improving glycemic control in patients with …

Start With What They Know: Using Motivational Interviewing To Create A Cooking Class, A Culinary Intervention For Teens (Autistic And Non-Autistic), Gwendolyn S. Tedder

LEND Trainee Presentations

Autistic teens are at greater risk for having heart disease and diabetes as adults. Food particularity, sensory issues, fixed mindset, and anxiety over trying new things can slow down their interest in preparing food for themselves. Nurturing basic cooking skills and gently encouraging trying new foods would provide more nutritional options to teens as they move into adulthood. A cooking class preceded by Motivational Interviewing (MI) developed further interest in preparing food afterward in teens, both autistic and non-autistic, and in trying new foods for autistic teens with food concerns.

Farmers Markets As Community Infrastructure: Evidence From A Three-Year Statewide Data Project In Utah, Jaclyn Pace, Roslynn Mccann, Blue Cook, Steven Price, Lorali Smith, Dianna Parkynn, Joshua Cafferty

Outcomes and Impact Quarterly

Utah farmers markets play a critical role in food access, small business viability, and community connection, yet limited statewide data document their impact. The Utah Farmers Market Network (UFMN) and Utah State University (USU) Extension conducted a mixed-methods evaluation (2023–2025) and found that farmers markets make valuable contributions to the community.

The Food Ethics, Sustainability And Alternatives Course: A Mixed Assessment Of University Students’ Readiness For Change, Charles Feldman, Stephanie A. Navarro Silvera

Department of Nutrition and Food Studies Scholarship and Creative Works

Growing interest in food sustainability education aims to increase awareness of food distribution systems, environmental degradation, and the connectivity of sustainable and ethical food practices. However, recent scholarship has questioned whether such pedagogical efforts are meaningfully internalized by students or lead to sustained behavioral change. Prior studies document persistent gaps in students’ understanding of sustainability impacts and the limited effectiveness of existing instructional approaches in promoting transformative engagement. To address these concerns, the Food Ethics, Sustainability and Alternatives (FESA) course was implemented with 21 undergraduate and graduate students at Montclair State University (Montclair, NJ, USA). Course outcomes were evaluated using …

Can I Freeze-Dry That? A Practical Guide To Safe And Effective Freeze-Drying, Victoria Carlile, Morgan Wayment, Jose Brandao

All Current Publications

Freeze-drying can preserve most everyday foods, but not all foods work well. Whether you are preparing for a long trip or are interested in long-term storage, it is important to know which food can be freeze-dried safely and which ones should not be attempted. This knowledge helps ensure food safety, quality, and success. This fact sheet provides information on how freeze-drying works, the risks involved, and which foods can be more challenging to freeze-dry.

Dietitian-Led Nutrition Care Across The Cellular Therapy Continuum Supports Weight And Strength Recovery, Ashley Pagano Ms, Rdn, Ldn, Samantha Okerson Rdn, Erin Levine Rd, Cso, Ldn, Deanna Yerg Ms, Rdn, Ldn

Clinical Nutrition Service

No abstract provided.

High-Osmolality Medication Exposure And Length Of Stay In Icu Patients With Rectal Tubes, Kimberly Cephas Ms, Rdn, Ldn, Rachel Geosits Ms, Rdn, Cnsc, Ldn, Matthew Fair Pharmd, Hope Kincaid Mph, Cph, Alison Sutter Mph

Clinical Nutrition Service

No abstract provided.

South Asians And Renal Disease: Traditional Food Lists For Management Of Chronic Kidney Disease, Ashwini Wagle

Open Educational Resources

The renal food list is a culturally tailored nutrition education tool designed to address the specific dietary needs of the South Asian population. It is an original intellectual work created by Ashwini Wagle, Ed.D., MS, RD, FAND, Chair and Professor, Department of Nutrition, Food Science, and Packaging at San José State University (SJSU).

An earlier version of this tool was published in 2011 with the assistance of graduate student Kalpana Balasubramanian. The development of this renal food list was strengthened by the encouragement and support of the registered dietitian community, whose contributions included verifying the accuracy of the nutritional information …

Effects Of Fermented Soybean Products On The Human Gut Microbiome, Microbial Metabolism, And Host Physiology, Shannon Moncier

Biology Dissertations

Fermented soybean products (FSPs) contain soybean-derived substrates, fermentation-associated microorganisms, and bioactive compounds that may interact with the human gut microbiome and host physiology. However, despite the growing interest in FSPs, longitudinal human studies specifically evaluating traditional Korean-FSPs (K-FSPs), particularly among United States-based populations, remain limited. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of three K-FSPs, including Cheonggukjang, Gochujang, and Doenjang, on host physiological responses, gut microbial community structure, predicted microbial functional potential, and fecal butyrate responses in healthy adults. Three independent dietary intervention cohorts were conducted using FSP formulations produced either by traditional artisan methods (Product A) …

Chia Seed Gel Powder As A Clean-Label Enhancer Of Texture, Physicochemical Quality, Antioxidant Activity, And Prebiotic Function In Probiotic Low-Fat Yogurt, Mahmoud E. A. Hamouda, Ratul Kalita, Abdelfatah K. Ali, Pratibha Chaudhary, Pramith U. Don, Omar A. A. Abdelsater, Anjali Verma, Yaser Elderwy

Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Science Student Research

This study evaluated the effect of incorporating chia seed gel powder (CSGP) as a natural, clean-label stabilizer on the physicochemical, functional, microbiological, microstructural, antioxidant, and sensory properties of probiotic low-fat yogurt (PLFY) during 21 days of refrigerated storage. Six formulations were prepared using 0–2.5% CSGP, including Control (0% CSGP), YOG1 (0.5% CSGP), YOG2 (1.0% CSGP), YOG3 (1.5% CSGP), YOG4 (2.0% CSGP), and YOG5 (2.5% CSGP). Results showed that increasing CSGP levels noticeably enhanced the total solids, protein content, viscosity, hardness, and water-holding capacity of the PLFY (p < 0.05), while consistently reducing syneresis. Antioxidant activity also rose with higher CSGP concentrations, with YOG5 exhibiting the greatest DPPH scavenging activity (35.12%). Confocal laser scanning microscopy revealed a denser and more uniform protein network in PLFY fortified with CSGP, consistent with rheological measurements showing increased storage (G′) and loss (G″) moduli. Probiotic viability significantly increased (p < 0.05) in CSGP-added samples, indicating a potential prebiotic effect of CSGP. Sensory results demonstrated that although higher CSGP levels slightly darkened the yogurt color, body, texture, flavor, and total sensory scores improved markedly, with YOG5 gaining the highest total score (81.77). The results demonstrate that CSGP acts as a highly effective, multifunctional ingredient that enhances texture, stability, probiotic viability, and antioxidant capacity, making it a strong clean-label candidate for developing high-quality, functional probiotic low-fat yogurt.

Composite Flours For Sustainable Food Systems: Integrating Nutritional, Environmental, And Climate Resilience Strategies, Rashmi H. Poojara, Soumya P S, Alvina Rose, Niva Somarajan

Journal of Environmental Science and Sustainable Development

Composite flour blends prepared from cereals, millets, tubers, legumes, and vegetables have gained increasing attention due to their potential to enhance nutritional quality, improve functional properties, and support sustainable food systems. Previous studies have largely focused on individual nutritional or functional attributes, with limited integration of environmental and health perspectives. This review aimed to systematically analyze how composite flours simultaneously influence nutritional quality, functional performance, health relevance, and environmental sustainability within a unified analytical framework. A systematic literature review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. Peer-reviewed studies published between 2014 and 2025 were retrieved from PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and …

Concentration-Dependent Effects Of Green Tea Extract On The Growth And Metabolism Of Lacticaseibacillus Rhamnosus: An In Vitro Analysis, Jingxian Zeng, Francesco Noci, Kishor Keekan, Ulrich Hoeche

SURE Journal: Science Undergraduate Research Experience Journal

Green tea extract (GTE) is widely recognised for its bioactive compounds, which exhibit potential health benefits, including modulation of gut microbiota. However, the concentration-dependent effects of GTE on specific probiotic strains remain underexplored. The aim of this study was to systematically evaluate the concentration-dependent effects of green tea extract (GTE) on Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus (L. rhamnosus). The promoting and inhibiting effects of GTE in the range of 0–50 mg/mL were analysed in vitro by OD₆₀₀ growth curve, pH change and colony forming unit (CFU) count. The experimental results showed that the concentration range of 0.05–2.05 mg/mL in the low concentration group …

Developing A Tool To Measure Resistance To Sustainable Food Choices: A Pilot Study In Ireland And The Netherlands, Kate Flanagan, Bart Sinteur, Patricia J. Bulsing, John M. Kearney

SURE Journal: Science Undergraduate Research Experience Journal

Consumer uptake of a sustainable diet is critical for addressing environmental challenges and promoting public health. Understanding why consumers resist adopting sustainable eating habits can inform targeted interventions and policies. This pilot study examines whether a newly developed scale can effectively detect consumer resistance to a sustainable diet. Currently, there is a lack of research on a tool to measure consumer resistance to a sustainable diet, highlighting the need for a reliable instrument.

The aim of this study is to develop a scale, based on existing literature, to measure consumer resistance to a sustainable diet. Additionally, the study aims to …