Nutrition Commons^™

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 …

Analysis Of Priority Vaccine-Preventable Diseases Using The Paho-Adapted Hanlon Method In Bogor City In 2024, Sonia Annisa Br Ketaren, Tri Yunis Miko Wahyono, Bai Kusnadi

Jurnal Epidemiologi Kesehatan Indonesia

Vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) remain a major public health challenge despite substantial progress in immunization programs. In Indonesia, routine immunization coverage has shown a post-pandemic recovery trend; however, disparities in access to health services and surveillance quality persist across regions. This study aimed to determine priority VPD problems in Bogor City and identify factors contributing to the highest-ranked disease. A mixed-methods study was conducted in Bogor City from October 2024 to January 2025. Quantitative prioritization was performed using the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)-adapted Hanlon method across eight VPDs. Qualitative data were collected through in-depth interviews with key informants and analyzed …

Association Of Household Economic Status And Birth Order With Stunting Among Children Aged 24-35 Months: Malawi Mics 2019–20, Sibongire B. Ngoma, Asri C. Adisasmita, Renti Mahkota, Septyana Choirunisa, Melisa Nyamukondiwa

Jurnal Epidemiologi Kesehatan Indonesia

Stunting remains a major public health concern in Malawi, with a national prevalence of 35.5% among children under five. However, evidence on the independent and combined effects of household economic status and birth order on stunting among Malawian children aged 24-35 months remains limited. This study aimed to examine the independent and combined association of household economic status and birth order with stunting among children aged 24-35 months in Malawi. A secondary data analysis of a cross-sectional 2019-20 Malawi Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) was conducted, and the final sample comprised 2,764 children aged 24-35 months with complete data. Stunting …

Urban-Rural Differences In The Association Between Physical Activity And Overweight/Obesity Among Indonesian Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Study, Wahyu Wulandari, Mufti As Siddiq M. Irzal, Lady Farah Fatmawati

Jurnal Epidemiologi Kesehatan Indonesia

Adolescent overweight/obesity is an increasing public health concern and contributes to the risk of non-communicable diseases later in life. Physical activity plays an important role in weight regulation. However, its association with overweight/obesity may vary according to residential setting. This study aimed to examine the association between physical activity and overweight/obesity among adolescents living in rural and urban areas of Indonesia. A cross-sectional study was conducted using data from the 2023 Indonesian Health Survey. The study included 115,372 adolescents aged 10–18 years. Physical activity was classified based on total Metabolic Equivalent of Task (MET)-minutes per week (≥600 MET-minutes/week), while nutritional …

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 …

Vitamin D–Amp Axis In Host Defense Against Fungal Infections, Nuraly S. Akimbekov, Ilya Digel, Svetlana K. Sakhanova, Kuanysh Tastambek, Dinara K. Sherelkhan, Mohammed S. Razzaque

School of Medicine Publications

Vitamin D–mediated regulation of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) is an important focus in innate immunology and is aimed at elucidating the role of vitamin D in enhancing antimicrobial defense. AMPs are short protein chains that serve as a first line of defense against invading pathogens, including fungi, bacteria and viruses. Unlike conventional antibiotics, AMPs are produced endogenously and are less likely to induce antimicrobial resistance, making them promising candidates for treating infections caused by drug-resistant pathogens. Studies indicate that optimal vitamin D levels are essential for activating antimicrobial pathways and regulating AMPs that target multiple fungal pathogens. This article summarizes recent …

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, …

Independent And Combined Effects Of Early-Life Iron Deficiency And Antibiotic Exposure On Growth And Hematological Outcomes In A Piglet Model, Ginger M. Fitzpatrick

Master's Theses

Iron deficiency (ID) affects over 2 billion individuals globally. Children under 5 are at increased risk of ID due to rapid growth and are especially vulnerable to its negative consequences because of iron’s essential role in cognitive development and immune maturation. ID is the leading cause of iron deficiency anemia (IDA), with IDA affecting approximately 40% of children in this age group. Antibiotic (abx) exposure is also prevalent during early life and may disrupt growth and through gut dysbiosis, with increasing use posing additional risk in younger populations. Geographically, there is overlap in regions with high anemia prevalence and those …

Intervention Levers For Stunting Reduction In Indonesia: Evidence From The 2023 Indonesian Health Survey Data, Iwan Ariawan, Hafizah Jusril, Zahra Izza Afifa, Azka Fitri, Elmarizha Sekar Utami, Mikail Hasan, Dwi Puspasari

Kesmas

Stunting remains the largest public health challenge among macro-nutrition problems in Indonesia, affecting almost a quarter of children under five in 2023. The prevalence is considered high according to the World Health Organization standard. This study analyzed 15 aggregated provincial variables from the 2023 Indonesian Health Survey using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), focusing on determinants of stunting among children under two to identify primary intervention levers. Findings indicated that intervention urgency should focus on the first 1,000 days, particularly the steep increase in stunting prevalence observed in the 12–24-month age range. While the highest prevalence is in Eastern provinces (e.g., …

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 …

The Association Between Diet Quality, Nutritional Knowledge, Low Energy Availability, And Eating Disorder Risk In Collegiate Student-Athletes, Laurel Koontz Awald

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study aimed to investigate the association between diet quality, nutritional knowledge, low energy availability, and eating disorder risk in a sample of collegiate student-athletes across several sporting disciplines. The quantitative cross-sectional survey was developed using validated questionnaires to investigate diet quality (The Athlete Diet Index), nutritional knowledge (The Platform for Evaluating Athlete Knowledge in Sports – Nutrition Questionnaire), low energy availability (The Low Energy Availability in Females Questionnaire and Low Energy Availability in Males Questionnaire), and eating disorder risk (DESA – 6). College athletes were recruited from Division I and III universities: (N = 31) from the track and …

Managing Maternal Anemia In Pregnancy: The Role Of Iron-Rich Foods And Supplementation, Carli Dibler

InnovateHER Meeting 2026

Anemia during pregnancy is a large public health concern, which often leads to independent risk factors for fetal and maternal outcomes including postpartum hemorrhaging, cesarean sections, blood transfusions during and after the labor process, hysterectomies, preterm birth, and infectious diseases. Six level I-III studies were analyzed using the John Hopkins nursing evidence-based practice model. Findings showed that by using a combined approach of dietary intake and supplementation overall leads to better fetal and maternal outcomes compared to supplementation alone.

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

Behavioral Science Applications In Collegiate Athlete Nutrition And Sleep: A Scoping Review, Maryam Yuhas, Katherine M. Kidwell, Olivia Moskuna, Rajib Mandal, Jessica L. Garay

Nutrition - All Scholarship

Nutrition and sleep are key health behaviors supporting athletic performance. Collegiate athletes in the United States (U.S.) are at high risk of insufficient dietary intake and nightly sleep given the competing demands of elite sports and academics. Researchers have developed interventions to improve collegiate athletes’ sleep and nutrition, either individually or collectively. However, progress in understanding how best to create sustained behavior change in this population has been slow. This may be due to the lack of application of behavioral science principles such as lack of a guiding theory, effective strategies, and consideration of implementation contexts. This scoping review takes …

Incorporating The Use Of Puppets And Puppetry-Based Approaches In Nutrition: A Scoping Review Of Interventions, Basil H. Aboul-Enein, Nada Benajiba, Majd Jan, Sarah Ali Alasmari, Patricia J. Kelly, Stephen F. Gambescia, Elizabeth Dodge

College of Nursing Faculty Papers & Presentations

Puppetry-based activities could serve as a low cost and manageable intervention in improving health-related outcomes. This review aims to identify the research to date and gaps in practice of the role and application of puppetry interventions in nutrition education. A scoping review was conducted using the PICOS framework and PRISMA-ScR guidelines, identifying studies across eight databases between January, 1980 and July, 2025.Twenty-five studies were identified, with the majority (n = 19) aimed at pre-school and school-aged children. Fifteen studies used quasi-experimental, pre-post designs. The use of hand and finger puppets was common, as well as videos and puppet theatre. …

Assessing The Risk Of Low Energy Availability In Ncaa Division Iii Female Soccer Players, Emma C. Sturts

Masters Theses/Capstone Projects

Low Energy Availability (LEA) can occur when an athlete’s energy intake is insufficient to meet the physiological demands of training as well as normal physiological functions. Female soccer players may be at an increased risk of developing LEA due to the high exercise energy expenditure paired with decreased energy intake. The purpose of this study is to assess the prevalence of LEA among Division III female soccer players. Division III female soccer players (n = 11) completed the Low Energy Availability in Females Questionnaire (LEAF-Q). 45.5% (n = 5) of the participants were classified as “At Risk” for LEA. Of …

How Nutrition And Physical Activity Shape Your Well-Being, Stacy Phillips

EFNEP

This publication will explore the link among nutrition, physical activity, physical health, and mental health and how it impacts whole-body well-being. Understanding how multiple aspects of a person's lifestyle can affect an individual's overall well-being is essential to providing better education on how to make better choices to improve their well-being.

Dfend: A Nutrition Education Intervention To Improve Food Budgeting, Shopping, And Meal Preparation Skills Among Adults In Arkansas, Samantha K. Edwards

Human Nutrition and Hospitality Management Undergraduate Honors Theses

Preventive strategies targeting modifiable lifestyle factors related to food, nutrition, and health are needed as chronic health conditions continue to rise. Nutrition literacy refers to having the knowledge and skills needed to obtain, understand, and apply nutrition information to make informed dietary decisions. Without adequate nutrition education and food security, vulnerable populations are at risk of malnutrition and poor dietary behaviors. Educational interventions that increase food literacy can help improve dietary choices and food selection skills.

The purpose of this creative project was to develop a nutrition education toolkit for Extension agents to implement among rural populations with low health …

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 …

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) …

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 …

The Effect Of Education Using The Lecture Method And Puzzle Games On The Level Of Knowledge And Attitude Toward Balanced Nutrition Among Students Of Sdn Pakintelan 01 In Gunung Pati District, Semarang City, Erlin Nurlina, Syifa Qolbiyah Nasir

Indonesian Journal of Public Health Nutrition (IJPHN)

Fulfilled nutritional needs play an important role at school age. The beginning of nutritional problems occurs due to knowledge factors, so it is necessary to implement efforts to provide information about balanced nutrition. Nutrition education research using lecture and puzzle game methods was conducted at SDN Pakintelan 01 aimed at determining changes in the level of knowledge and attitudes of students regarding balanced nutrition. The type of research is Quasy Experiment and uses a pretest-post test design with control group design. The sampling technique uses stratified random sampling. The number of samples of the control group given education (lecture method) …

Fiber Content, Total Sugar, And Glycemic Index Of Jackfruit Seed And Pigeon Pea Flour Snack Bar, Dhiyaa Septi Kirana, Tesa Rafkhani

Indonesian Journal of Public Health Nutrition (IJPHN)

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) in Indonesia is the 7th leading cause of death. Diets high in sugar and glycemic index, and low in fiber are known to trigger hyperglycemia. Snack bars high in fiber and low in glycemic index are known to reduce blood glucose levels. This research aims to determine a snack bar formulation made from jackfruit seed and pigeon pea flour and analyze fiber content, total sugar, and glycemic index value. This study used a completely randomized design analyzing three different proportions of jackfruit seed and pigeon pea flour, namely F1 (30%:70%), F2 (40%:60%), and F3 (50%:50%) with two …

The Relationship Between Consumption Frequency And Energy Intake Of Ultra-Processed Food And Obesity Based On Body Fat Percentage Among Fph Ui Students In 2025, Sarah Keisya Budiargo, Triyanti Triyanti, Asih Setiarini, Dieta Nurrika

Indonesian Journal of Public Health Nutrition (IJPHN)

Obesity is the accumulation of excessive body fat and increases the risk of various non-communicable diseases. Obesity prevalence among FPH UI students based on health examination data in 2022-2024 has reached 13.6%, exceeding the public health concern threshold and requiring more accurate measurement than Body Mass Index. This study aimed to determine the relationship between ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption frequency and energy intake with obesity incidence based on body fat percentage among 147 FPH UI students in 2025. This cross-sectional study utilized the Semi-Quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire (SQ-FFQ) based on NOVA classification to assess UPF intake. Body fat percentage was …

The Relationship Between Obesity Among Children And Adolescents With Dietary Intake And Physical Activity: A Scoping Review, Devi Dwi Yolani, Tania Okta Wardhani, Rani Aqilah Ni’Matul Maula, Almira Sitasari, Tri Siswati

Indonesian Journal of Public Health Nutrition (IJPHN)

Childhood and adolescent obesity remain a significant public health issue worldwide. This review summarizes research on the relationship among obesity, physical activity, and diet. This study aims to investigate the relationship between children's and adolescents' obesity, their physical activity levels, and diet. A scoping review was conducted by assessing 81 research journal articles from 2014 to 2023 from electronic databases such as Google Scholar and PubMed. The search strategy used Boolean operators as follows: (“child*” OR “adolescent”) AND (“obesity”) AND (“diet” OR “food intake”) AND (“physical activity”), selected based on the inclusion criteria of children and adolescents aged 1-18 years …

Integrating Nutrition Education To Improve The Effectiveness And Sustainability Of Makan Bergizi Gratis Programs, Akifa Laila Rusyda, Dewi Firda Sari, Ida Fransiska Pandiangan, Putri Mulifajar Gintings

Indonesian Journal of Public Health Nutrition (IJPHN)

The Makan Bergizi Gratis (MBG) program represents Indonesia's strategic effort to strengthen human capital by addressing malnutrition among school-aged. However, evidence suggests that school feeding alone is insufficient without structured nutrition education to promote sustained behavioral change. The present study examines opportunities and feasibility for embedding nutrition education within MBG implementation. Two-stage design was performed, including curriculum content reviews and qualitative case study design. A systematic curriculum content analysis was conducted across the school-based curriculum (KTSP) (2006), K-13 curriculum (2013 – 2017), and the Merdeka curriculum (2022 - present), using predefined nutrition competencies and behavioral domains as analytical frameworks. Purposive …

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 …

Food Fortification Strategies To Address Micronutrient Deficiencies In Cambodia: A Scoping Review Of Policy Implementation, Industry Capacity, And Public Health Outcomes, Sokha Yem, Sreypeov Tun, Sokunthea Kem

Indonesian Journal of Public Health Nutrition (IJPHN)

Background: Micronutrient deficiencies remain a major public health challenge in Cambodia, with iron deficiency anaemia, iodine deficiency disorders, zinc deficiency, and vitamin A deficiency disproportionately affecting women of reproductive age and children under five. Food fortification—the deliberate addition of essential micronutrients to commonly consumed foods—has been widely recognised as a cost-effective population-level intervention to address nutritional gaps. Objective: To systematically map and synthesise existing evidence on food fortification strategies in Cambodia, focusing on policy implementation, industry production capacity and compliance, regulatory enforcement, and public health outcomes. Methods: A scoping review was conducted following the Arksey and O’Malley methodological framework and …

A Functional Nutrition Literature Review For Brain Fog And Adhd-Like Symptoms In Adults, Natalie Elisani Aldahondo-Matos

Department of Nutrition Student Projects

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and ADHD-like symptoms, such as difficulty concentrating, mental fatigue, and problems with executive functioning, are increasingly recognized in adults. Although medication is commonly used to manage ADHD, there is growing interest in whether nutrition may also play a role in supporting brain function and attention. Several nutrients involved in brain health including omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B12, magnesium, iron, and choline  have been suggested as potential contributors to cognitive performance and attention. However, the research examining the connection between diet and ADHD symptoms is still limited and sometimes shows mixed results.

The purpose of this project was …