Nutrition Commons^™

Assessing Physical Activity Determinants In Urban Settings: Comparison Of Perceptions And Environmental Audit Findings, Daniel Remley, Susan Zies, Beth Stefura, Ryan Leone, Kendra Kattelmann, Tandalayo Kidd

Health and Nutritional Sciences Faculty Publications

Sedentary lifestyles are a contributor to obesity and urban adolescents are less physically active than rural adolescents. Supportive physical activity environments, understood as the geography, observations, and perceptions of features such as recreational facilities, sidewalks, bike lanes, traffic patterns, etc., have been positively associated with adolescent physical activity behaviors within urban settings. As part of a Socio-Ecological intervention to improve physical activity behavior, the Physical Activity Resource Assessment (PARA), the Active Neighborhood Checklist (ANC), and focus groups were used to assess the physical activity influences within an urban middle school and surrounding community. The assessments suggested that lack of parks, …

Promoting Healthy Home-Cooked Family Meals: Evaluation Of A Social Marketing Program Targeting Low-Income Mothers, Mollie Y. Dawahare

Theses and Dissertations--Nutrition and Food Systems

Objective: Evaluate how a social marketing approach compares to traditional nutrition education curriculum for promoting behavioral changes related to eating and food.

Design: Nonequivalent comparison group, entry-exit design. Participants from 12 Kentucky counties assigned either comparison or pilot group. Comparison group received traditional nutrition education curriculum and pilot group received the social marketing program, Cook Together, Eat Together (CTET) curriculum. EFNEP’s Behavior Checklist and 24-Hour Dietary Recall were administered at entry and exit of the 8-week programs.

Participants: Females (18-72 years of age) from families eligible to receive SNAP benefits (n=64 comparison group participants, n=60 pilot group participants).

Intervention: …

Color Your Plate Nutrition Intervention: Using Exposure Interventions To Increase Fruit And Vegetable Intake In Older Adults Attending Congregate Meal Sites, Alyson D. Humphrey

Theses and Dissertations--Nutrition and Food Systems

The aims of the Color Your Plate nutrition intervention were to increase intake of fruits and vegetables and increase motivators and decrease barriers to consuming fruits and vegetables rich in older-adults who regularly attend congregate meal sites. In this quasiexperimental pilot study, a convenience sample (n=35) of older adults at two intervention and two control sites completed pre- and post-surveys. Following the five-lesson curriculum, intervention participants reported greater intakes of fruits and vegetables (mean change increase of 3.47 ± 2.38 servings/week) and significant increases in days having consumed 4.5 cups or more of fruits and vegetables (p=.0004), incorporation of fruits …

Effects Of Fatiguing Constant Versus Alternating Intensity Intermittent Isometric Muscle Actions On Maximal Torque And Neuromuscular Responses, C. M. Smith, Terry J. Housh, E.C. Hill, Kristen C. Cochrane, N.D.M. Jenkins, Richard J. Schmidt, G. O. Johnson

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

Objective: To determine the effects of constant versus alternating applications of torque during fatiguing, intermittent isometric muscle actions of the leg extensors on maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) torque and neuromuscular responses. Methods: Sixteen subjects performed two protocols, each consisting of 50 intermittent isometric muscle actions of the leg extensors with equal average load at a constant 60% MVIC or alternating 40 then 80% (40/80%) MVIC with a work-to-rest ratio of 6-s on and 2-s off. MVIC torque as well as electromyographic signals from the vastus lateralis (VL), vastus medialis (VM), and rectus femoris (RF) and mechanomyographic signals from the …

Impacts Of High-Protein Oral Nutritional Supplements Among Malnourished Men And Women With Sarcopenia: A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blinded, Controlled Trial, Joel T. Cramer, Alfonso J. Cruz-Jentoft, Francesco Landi, Mary Hickson, Mauro Zamboni, Suzette L. Pereira, Deborah S. Hustead, Vikkie A. Mustad

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

Background: Recent evidence suggests that nutritional interventions may improve muscle outcomes in malnutrition and sarcopenia. Objectives: We evaluated the effects of 2 high-quality oral nutritional supplements (ONS) differing in amount and type of key nutrients in older adult men and women. Design: A multicenter, randomized, double-blinded, controlled clinical trial. Participants: Malnourished and sarcopenic men and women, 65 years and older (n ¼ 330). Intervention: A 24-week intervention period with 2 energy-rich (330 kcal) ONS treatment groups: Control ONS (C_ONS,14 g protein; 147 IU vitamin D₃) versus Experimental ONS (E_ONS, 20 g protein; 499 IU …

Muscle- And Mode-Specific Responses Of The Forearm Flexors To Fatiguing, Concentric Muscle Actions, Ethan C. Hill, Terry J. Housh, Cory M. Smith, Richard Schmidt, Glen O. Johnson

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

Background: Electromyographic (EMG) and mechanomyographic (MMG) studies of fatigue have generally utilized maximal isometric or dynamic muscle actions, but sport- and work-related activities involve predominately submaximal movements. Therefore, the purpose of the present investigation was to examine the torque, EMG, and MMG responses as a result of submaximal, concentric, isokinetic, forearm flexion muscle actions. Methods: Twelve men performed concentric peak torque (PT) and isometric PT trials before (pretest) and after (posttest) performing 50 submaximal (65% of concentric PT), concentric, isokinetic (60°·s^-1), forearm flexion muscle actions. Surface EMG and MMG signals were simultaneously recorded from the biceps brachii and …

Evaluation Of Protein Source At Breakfast On Energy Metabolism, Metabolic Health, And Food Intake: A Pilot Study, Lauren A. Cambias, Brianna L. Neumann, Charlayne Mitchell, Jamie I. Baum

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

Over 30% of adults in the U.S. are obese. A primary contributor to obesity is an unhealthy diet related to imbalanced macronutrients. Diets higher in protein (PRO) rather than carbohydrate (CHO) are associated with increased energy expenditure (EE) and reduced food intake. The objective of this pilot study was to determine if protein source at breakfast influences EE in young men (n = 4; ages 18-35). Participants consumed three isocaloric (whey (WP), pea (PP), beef (BP); 275 kcal, 62% PRO, 23% CHO, 15% Fat) drinks in a randomized, crossover design study with a one-week washout period (time between the administration …

Predictors Of Caffeine-Related Withdrawal Symptoms In College Freshmen, David J. Pomm

Theses and Dissertations

While caffeine withdrawal has been well-characterized, research on caffeine intake and factors associated with withdrawal has been limited. The present study examined prevalence rates of caffeine use and identified psychosocial factors associated with having caffeine withdrawal headaches (CWH). Participants were N = 1,989 college freshmen who participated in the 2011 Spit for Science project. Caffeine use was reported by 80% of the sample. Females were more likely than males to consume caffeine, and soda was the primary source of caffeine for both genders. As hypothesized, daily caffeine users were more likely to report CWH than non-daily users. When multivariable analyses …

Implementing Pasteurized Donor Human Milk Programs In Level One And Two Nurseries: Policies, Barriers, And Successes, Rebecca Phipps Smeltzer

Honors Theses and Capstones

Pasteurized donor human milk (PDHM) as feeding supplementation has been shown to prevent and lower rates of gastrointestinal infection and increase exclusive human milk consumption (EHM) in critically-ill, low birthweight and premature infants. Policies/ procedures for the use of PDHM in “well” newborns and low birth weight newborns with non-life-threatening illness, level I and II nurseries, respectively, have not been established. The objective of this research is to gather and summarize policies/procedures and experiences from four hospitals in the northeast US that use PDHM in level I/II nurseries. Data was collected from interviews with hospital administrators and each hospital’s PDHM …

Combined Iron Deficiency And Low Aerobic Fitness Doubly Burden Academic Performance Among Women Attending University, Samuel P. Scott, Mary Jane Desouza, Karsten Koehler, Laura E. Murray-Kolb

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

Background: Academic success is a key determinant of future prospects for students. Cognitive functioning has been related to nutritional and physical factors. Here, we focus on iron status and aerobic fitness in young-adult female students given the high rate of iron deficiency and declines in fitness reported in this population. Objectives: We sought to explore the combined effects of iron status and fitness on academic success and to determine whether these associations are mediated by cognitive performance.

Methods: Women (n = 105) aged 18–35 y were recruited for this cross-sectional study. Data were obtained for iron biomarkers, peak oxygen …

Low Resting Metabolic Rate In Exercise-Associated Amenorrhea Is Not Due To A Reduced Proportion Of Highly Active Metabolic Tissue Compartments, Karsten Koehler, Nancy I. Williams, Rebecca J. Mallinson, Emily A. Southmayd, Heather C.M. Allaway, Mary Jane De Souza

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

Exercising women with menstrual disturbances frequently display a low resting metabolic rate (RMR) when RMR is expressed relative to body size or lean mass. However, normalizing RMR for body size or lean mass does not account for potential differences in the size of tissue compartments with varying metabolic activities. To explore whether the apparent RMR suppression in women with exercise-associated amenorrhea is a consequence of a lower proportion of highly active metabolic tissue compartments or the result of metabolic adaptations related to energy conservation at the tissue level, RMR and metabolic tissue compartments were compared among exercising women with amenorrhea …

A Qualitative Phenomenological Exploration Of Teachers’ Experience With Nutrition Education, Elisha M. Hall, Weiwen Chai, Julie A. Albrecht

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

Background:

Nutrition education delivered by classroom teachers has become a popular intervention designed to combat childhood obesity. However, few qualitative studies have explored nutrition education with teachers.

Purpose:

The purpose of this study was to explore how elementary teachers describe their experience with nutrition education.

Methods:

A qualitative phenomenological approach was used. Semistructured interviews, observations, and document analysis were conducted with 10 teachers who delivered nutrition education in their classrooms. Inductive coding was used to determine invariant constituents, reduce constituents to categories, and cluster categories into themes. Reliability and validity were accomplished through intercoder agreement, audio recording, triangulation, bracketing, and …

Effects Of Short-Term Dynamic Constant External Resistance Training And Subsequent Detraining On Strength Of The Trained And Untrained Limbs: A Randomized Trial, Pablo B. Costa, Trent J. Herda, Ashley A. Herda, Joel T. Cramer

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

Short-term resistance training has been shown to increase isokinetic muscle strength and performance after only two to nine days of training. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of three days of unilateral dynamic constant external resistance (DCER) training and detraining on the strength of the trained and untrained legs. Nineteen men were randomly assigned to a DCER training group or a non-training control group. Subjects visited the laboratory eight times, the first visit was a familiarization session, the second visit was a pre-training assessment, the subsequent three visits were for training sessions (if assigned to the …

Cranberries And Cancer: An Update Of Preclinical Studies Evaluating The Cancer Inhibitory Potential Of Cranberry And Cranberry Derived Constituents, Katherine M. Weh, Jennifer L. Clarke, Laura A. Kresty

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

Cranberries are rich in bioactive constituents reported to influence a variety of health benefits, ranging from improved immune function and decreased infections to reduced cardiovascular disease and more recently cancer inhibition. A review of cranberry research targeting cancer revealed positive effects of cranberries or cranberry derived constituents against 17 different cancers utilizing a variety of in vitro techniques, whereas in vivo studies supported the inhibitory action of cranberries toward cancers of the esophagus, stomach, colon, bladder, prostate, glioblastoma and lymphoma. Mechanisms of cranberry-linked cancer inhibition include cellular death induction via apoptosis, necrosis and autophagy; reduction of cellular proliferation; alterations in …

Mental Health Disparities Within The Lgbt Population: A Comparison Between Transgender And Nontransgender Individuals, Dejun Su, Jay A. Irwin, Christopher Fisher, Athena Ramos, Megan Kelley, Diana Ariss Rogel Mendoza, Jason D. Coleman

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

Purpose: This study assessed within a Midwestern LGBT population whether, and the extent to which, transgender identity was associated with elevated odds of reported discrimination, depression symptoms, and suicide attempts.

Methods: Based on survey data collected online from respondents who self-identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual, and/or transgender persons over the age of 19 in Nebraska in 2010, this study performed bivariate t- or chisquare tests and multivariate logistic regression analysis to examine differences in reported discrimination, depression symptoms, suicide attempts, and self-acceptance of LGBT identity between 91 transgender and 676 nontransgender respondents.

Results: After controlling for the effects …

Association Of Individual And Community Factors With C-Reactive Protein And 25-Hydroxyvitamin D: Evidence From The National Health And Nutrition Examination Survey (Nhanes), Weiwen Chai, Jessie X. Fan, Ming Wen

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

Many individual and community/neighborhood factors may contribute to inflammation and vitamin D deficiency leading to the development of chronic diseases. This study examined the associations of serum Creactive protein (CRP) and 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels with individual and community/neighborhood (tract-level or county-level) factors using a nationally representative sample from 2001–2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Data from the 2001–2006 waves of the continuous NHANES was merged with the 2000 census and other neighborhood data sources constructed using geographic information system. Associations between multilevel factors and biomarker levels were assessed using multilevel random-intercept regression models. 6643 participants aged 19–65 …

Relationship Between Concentrations Of Lutein And Stard3 Among Pediatric And Geriatric Human Brain Tissue, Jirayu Tanprasertsuk, Binxing Li, Paul S. Bernstein, Rohini Vishwanathan, Mary Ann Johnson, Leonard Poon, Elizabeth J. Johnson

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

Lutein, a dietary carotenoid, selectively accumulates in human retina and brain. While many epidemiological studies show evidence of a relationship between lutein status and cognitive health, lutein’s selective uptake in human brain tissue and its potential function in early neural development and cognitive health have been poorly evaluated at a molecular level. The objective of this study was to evaluate the cross-sectional relationship between concentrations of brain lutein and StARD3 (identified as its binding protein in retinal tissue) among three age groups: infants (1–4 months, n = 10), older adults (55–86 years, n = 8), and centenarians (98–105 years, n …

Pharmacological And Genetic Modulation Of Rev-Erb Activity And Expression Affects Orexigenic Gene Expression, Ariadna Amador, Yongjun Wang, Subhashis Banerjee, Theodore M. Kameneka, Laura A. Solt, Thomas P. Burris

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

The nuclear receptors REV-ERBα and REV-ERBβ are transcription factors that play pivotal roles in the regulation of the circadian rhythm and various metabolic processes. The circadian rhythm is an endogenous mechanism, which generates entrainable biological changes that follow a 24-hour period. It regulates a number of physiological processes, including sleep/wakeful cycles and feeding behaviors. We recently demonstrated that REV-ERB-specific small molecules affect sleep and anxiety. The orexinergic system also plays a significant role in mammalian physiology and behavior, including the regulation of sleep and food intake. Importantly, orexin genes are expressed in a circadian manner. Given these overlaps in function …

Disparities In Access To Preventive Health Care Services Among Insured Children In A Cross Sectional Study, Christian King

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

Children with insurance have better access to care and health outcomes if their parents also have insurance. However, little is known about whether the type of parental insurance matters. This study attempts to determine whether the type of parental insurance affects the access to health care services of children. I used data from the 2009–2013 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey and estimated multivariate logistic regressions (N=26,152). I estimated how family insurance coverage affects the probability that children have a usual source of care, well-child visits in the past year, unmet medical and prescription needs, less than 1 dental visit per year, …

The Apoa5 Rs662799 Polymorphism Is Associated With Dyslipidemia And The Severity Of Coronary Heart Disease In Chinese Women, Yanmei Wang, Zhan Lu, Jingxiao Zhang, Yang Yang, Jing Shen, Xiaoming Zhang, Yongyan Song

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

Background: The APOA5 rs662799 polymorphism has been widely reported regarding its associations with the plasma lipid levels and the occurrence of coronary heart disease (CHD), whereas its relationship with the severity of CHD has not yet been explored.

Methods: Four hundred and seventy-eight angiografically defined subjects (325 CHD patients and 153 CHD-free controls) were enrolled in this study. The rs662799 polymorphism was genotyped, and the fasting lipid data were collected for all participants. The severity of CHD was evaluated for the CHD patients by using Gensini scores.

Results: The variant C allele of the rs662799 polymorphism was associated with lower …

Food Insecurity And Housing Instability In Vulnerable Families, Christian King

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

Reducing the prevalence of household food insecurity has been a long-standing objective of the federal government. Previous research has found many negative consequences of food insecurity for families and households but has not examined its relationship with housing instability. Using longitudinal data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study, difference-in-difference models show that food insecurity is associated with housing instability. The association remains statistically significant after accounting for potential selection and unobserved heterogeneity using propensity score matching and excluding households that experienced prior housing instability from the sample. Examining potential mediating factors, I find that material hardship explains about …

Effect Of Sex On Torque, Recovery, Emg, And Mmg Responses To Fatigue, E.C. Hill, Terry J. Housh, C. M. Smith, Kristen C. Cochrane, N.D.M. Jenkins, Joel T. Cramer, Richard J. Schmidt, G. O. Johnson

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

The purpose of the present investigation was to examine the effect of sex on maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) torque and the EMG and MMG responses as a result of fatiguing, intermittent, submaximal (65% of MVIC), isometric elbow flexion muscle contractions. Methods: Eighteen men and women performed MVIC trials before (pretest), after (posttest), and 5-min after (5-min recovery) performing 50 intermittent, submaximal isometric muscle contractions. Surface electromyographic (EMG) and mechanomyographic (MMG) signals were simultaneously recorded from the biceps brachii muscle. Results: As a result of the fatiguing workbout torque decreased similarly from pretest to posttest for both the men (24.0%) …

Lifestyle Contributors To Cardiovascular Disease Risk, Adam J. Berrones

Theses and Dissertations--Kinesiology and Health Promotion

Aortic stiffness is an independent risk factor that has prognostic value regarding future cardiovascular disease (CVD) events such as myocardial infarction, strokes, and heart failure. Although death rates due to coronary heart disease have declined in recent years, the leading global killer remains CVD and prevalence is still high. Understanding lifestyle contributors associated with aortic stiffness would provide the public with insight into targeting key health-related behaviors.

The purpose of this observational study was to examine the association of physical activity, physical function, and dietary quality as independent factors contributing to aortic stiffness in apparently healthy middle aged men. Fifty-two …

The Relationship Between Nutrient Intake And Social Emotional Functioning In Preschool Children, Tracy L. Daniel

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Mental health disorders are rising in children and being referred to as an epidemic. Numerous studies have shown micronutrient deficiencies and poor diet quality are suspected of playing a contributory role in the escalation of certain disorders. However, there is no research in young children focusing specifically on social emotional disorders and possible links to nutrition. Conventional treatment for social emotional disorders in children typically involves medication. Parents are increasingly turning to complementary and alternative medicine to treat their children with a method that is individualized and holistic. The biopsychosocial model provided the theoretical framework for this correlational study that …

Methylmercury Exposure Via Canned Tuna Fish Consumption And Breast Cancer, Jennifer Bodenrader

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Widespread consumption of canned tuna fish since the 1950s may explain some of the increase in breast cancer prevalence in the United States and Europe. Although canned tuna is the primary source of human exposure to methylmercury, its role as an estrogen activating metalloestrogen has been overlooked in the etiology and incidence of breast cancer. Carcinogenic theory asserts that increased exposure to estrogen elevates the risk of breast cancer. The purpose of this population-based, case control study was to examine the association between canned tuna consumption, total blood mercury, and breast cancer in the NHANES 2003-2006 surveys. A multivariable logistic …

Oral Nutritional Supplement Use In Relation To Length Of Stay In Heart Failure Patients At A Regional Medical Center, Ellen Burkhardt Babb

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Improving the nutritional status of hospitalized patients has been shown to reduce length of stay (LOS), hospital costs, readmission rates, complication rates, and mortality. Provision of nutrient-rich, liquid, oral nutrition supplements (ONS) is one approach to improving nutritional status. ONS use has been associated with improved outcomes among patients with diagnoses of orthopedic injuries and pressure ulcers, mainly using prospective designs among elderly and/or malnourished patients. Less information is available for other diagnoses, and no analysis of the effects of ONS could be found that considered the epidemiological triad of person, place, and time. This study used a quantitative, retrospective …

Barriers To Exclusive Breastfeeding Among Mothers During The First Four Weeks Postpartum, Jessy V. Thomas

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

According to the World Health Organization, breastfeeding is natural and the most effective way of nourishment to feed infants and young children to ensure child health and survival. Currently, the World Health Organization, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and other health organizations recommend exclusive breastfeeding during the first 6 months of life. Although exclusive breastfeeding has been shown to reduce the occurrence of adverse health outcomes to the infant and mother, the duration of exclusive breastfeeding remains relatively low in the United States. The theory of planned behavior was used as a theoretical framework for this study. The purpose of …

Public Health Leaders' Perceptions Of And Attitudes Concerning Eating Disorders, Karin L. Lightfoot

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Eating disorders are associated with high mortality rates. Most eating disorder prevention research is conducted within the fields of psychology and psychiatry, not in public health. This gap in public health research can lead to insufficient attention to the root causes of eating disorders and minimal upstream prevention efforts. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to identify public health leaders' perceptions of and attitudes concerning eating disorders as a public health issue. Objectification theory was used to describe how societal expectations have created an environment in which people's self-worth is based on their outward physical appearance. Ecological theory was …

Emotional Intelligence, Job Satisfaction, And Burnout For Dietitians, Cara Perdue

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

There are low retention rates of dietitians and this impacts quality of care. Emotional intelligence (EI) may be the missing component to improve retention, due to EI increasing job satisfaction and decreasing burnout for other health providers. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between EI, job satisfaction, and burnout for dietitians. The theoretical framework utilized was the 4-branch model of EI. Method of inquiry was convenience, quantitative non-experimental design. Registered dietitians (N = 84,173) living in the United States were contacted via e-mail. Approximately 9.5% of dietitians (n = 8,038) completed the Wong and Law EI …

A Plan For The Implementation And Evaluation Of Diet Education In Type 2 Diabetes, Soy Ramsumeer

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Abstract

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States with a projected increase of 552 million people worldwide who will be affected with this illness by 2030. The need to address this issue is vital to prevent complications and reduce healthcare spending. The DNP project is aimed at planning and designing a nutritional education program tailored toward specific ethnic groups in order to increase knowledge in making healthy food choices. This project is intended to educate Registered Nurses (RNs) on nutrition so that they can offer dietary knowledge to T2DM patients. Additional …