Nutrition Commons^™

Sarcopenia And The Importance Of Resistance Training And Protein-Rich Diets For Prevention Of Muscle Loss In Older Adults: A Literature Review And Informational Pamphlet, Madison Steele

Honors Theses

The growing prevalence of sarcopenia among older adults as well as youths has prompted further research aimed at developing effective preventative measures and treatment plans. Sarcopenia is often thought to occur solely due to aging, but several other factors contribute to progressive muscle loss. Previous research studies have found an effect of physical activity and dietary protein levels on the risk of developing sarcopenia as well as its onset age. This study aims to review existing knowledge in the field to compile an extensive list of sarcopenia causes and methods of prevention. The main causes identified in this review are …

A Dietary Variety: Analyzing The Impacts Of Diverse Vs Worm-Exclusive Diets On The Blanding’S Turtle (Emydoidea Blandingii), Caitlin F. Copenhaver

Honors Theses

The endangered Blanding’s turtle (Emydoidea blandingii) is a species with a generally diverse diet in their freshwater wetland habitats; they consume prey such as crayfish and snails. In captivity, these options often become more limited due to logistical reasons. As ex situ conservation efforts such as captive rearing and head-starting are becoming more popular for this species, it will be important to gain more insight on how these more limited diets might affect these turtles. This study describes a comparison between diets in six captive Blanding’s turtles from September to November of 2023, with three turtles receiving only …

Exploring Modern Trends And Prevention Strategies For Childhood Obesity: A Comprehensive Literature Review, Anya E. Bogen

Honors Theses

This literature review seeks to provide an overview of the current research on childhood obesity. The study examines the prevalence and causes of childhood obesity, including genetic, environmental, and behavioral factors. The review also discusses the health consequences associated with childhood obesity, such as the increased risk for chronic diseases and psychological and social problems. Additionally, the review explores the effectiveness of interventions designed to prevent childhood obesity, including individual lifestyle modifications, education from health practitioners and school programs, and global, national, and state programs to promote wellness. The literature review concludes that childhood obesity is a complex and multifactorial …

Food And Nutrition Education: A Tool To Help Combat Growing Food Insecurity, Sy Lim

Honors Theses

Food insecurity is an escalating issue often overlooked and stigmatized in the United States, affecting about 1 in 10 households. This issue is a threat that can increase stress and anxiety, which is believed to further negatively impact academic and daily performance. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln community is no exception. To combat local food insecurity, the Husker Pantry has served almost a third of the Husker community, aiming to assist by offering food items, school supplies, personal hygiene products, and additional services. This project was made in collaboration with the Husker Pantry, designed to further help combat the ever-growing issue …

Advertising Sports Nutrition Practices To Adolescent Athletes: A Poster Series, Emma Hansen

Honors Theses

Sports nutrition is an important aspect of an athlete’s training and improvement, yet it is often overlooked when it comes to younger competitors. Four posters were created with the intent of providing adolescent athletes, their parents, and their coaches with information about important topics in sports nutrition including a general overview of nutrition goals, hydration strategies, recovery nutrition, and nutritional considerations for vegetarian and vegan youth athletes. The posters were designed to appeal to adolescents from the ages of 13 to 18, and each poster covers its designated topic in detail appropriate for middle and high school-aged athletes. The accompanying …

Encouraging Or Guilt-Inducing? An Analysis Of Fitspiration Content And Its Effect On Body Image And Lifestyle Changes, Brenna Mazour

Honors Theses

More people are acquiring their nutrition and exercise information from social media accounts called fitspiration. Analyses of fitspiration content have found the focus to be on restrictive diets and excessive exercise that’s appearance driven. Although its intent is to inspire its consumers to change their lifestyle, many speculate that it brings upon negative body image and induces guilt. The Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) has been used to determine why people take part in certain health behaviors, such as diets or exercise regimens posted on fitspiration. TPB shows how the characteristics of social media discourage people to use fitspiration as …

The Impact Of The Inclusion Of Grains In A Canine Diet On The Animal's Overall Health, Rachel Bruner

Honors Theses

The objective of this senior project was to examine the impacts that grains in a canine diet have on the overall health of the animal. Specifically, there was a focus on the nutritional attributes of grains, potential concerns regarding their inclusion in foods, misconceptions from consumers about grains in pet food, and alternatives to grains used in some diet formulations. The method of research for this project was a literature review. Scholarly articles focused on the various subtopics which helped to answer the research question were reviewed and included throughout the following discussion. Ultimately, the review of various literature resulted …

Influence Of Fertilizer Rate On Swollen Stem Formation (“Bulbing”) And Vitamin C Content In Different Kohlrabi Cultivars, Mark Iradukunda, Paul E. Read

Honors Theses

Kohlrabi (Brassica oleracea Gongylodes Group) is a vegetable crop found in the Brassicaceae, and it is rich in antioxidants such as vitamin C. Vitamin C helps in oxidative damage repair and strengthens the immune system, so exploring vitamin C sources may contribute to improving human health. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of different fertilizer rates on kohlrabi yield, in terms of the swollen stem and the vitamin C content, and if those effects are similar in different kohlrabi cultivars. In this greenhouse study, we fertilized four potted kohlrabi cultivars with a common water-soluble greenhouse fertilizer …

The Crucial Role Of Sestrins In Oxidative Stress Response And Disease: An Analysis Of Phosphorylation Mutation S110a In Hsesn2, Julianne Fay

Honors Theses

Sestrins are highly conserved proteins which are induced under environmentally stressful conditions to adjust the cell’s response to such disturbances. This protein possesses two domains critical for its dual function in reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) and regulating the mTORC1 complex. Sestrins may use diverse transcription factors, such as Nrf2, peroxiredoxin reductase activity, and a catalytic cysteine to regenerate oxidized species; however this was confirmed to be through a mechanism likely different than AhpD, for which there was distance sequence similarity. Furthermore, Sestrins are important regulators of TORC1 and AMPK, which are crucial energy sensors able to control cellular metabolism …

The Importance Of Nutrition And Preventing Malnutrition In Older Adults: A Literature Review And Informational Booklet, Sophie Johnson

Honors Theses

Over years of studying nutrition science and gerontology, there was very little information in classes that combined these two important topics. Older adults are often classified as those above the age of 65 years old. There is a growing number of older adults in the United States, which increases the need for information on how nutrition and aging are interlaced. As humans age, multiple factors can impact nutrition. Nutrition involves consuming the proper amount of nutrients to maintain body function. There are physiological, physical, socioeconomic and medication factors that can all influence nutrition status. It is important to be aware …

A Qualitative Analysis Of The Barriers Faced By Nursing Assistants And Medication Aides In The Care Of Dysphagia Residents, Lauren Kreuzberg

Honors Theses

Dysphagia refers to the symptom of difficulty in swallowing that accompanies several prevalent conditions in the older adult population, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, Lou Gehrig’s Disease), stroke, Parkinson’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, dementia, various cancers, and brain tumors (Allari, 2014). Many older adults who suffer from these conditions reside in nursing facilities, where most of their care is provided by certified nursing assistants (CNAs) and medication aides (MAs). However, the extent of these workers’ knowledge and competence in providing care to nursing home residents with dysphagia is vastly under-researched. The qualitative analysis investigates themes among interviews with fifteen CNAs and …

The Development And Implementation Of “Mission Nutrition”: An After-School Nutrition Education Program For Youth Grades Kindergarten Through Fifth, Rachel Maloy

Honors Theses

Childhood overweight, obesity, and food insecurity are serious problems that are especially prevalent in low-income areas. Belmont Elementary School serves many children from low-income households (classified as a Title I school with 82.6% of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch) and, thus, was a perfect setting for the birth of an original nutrition curriculum.

A six-week after-school nutrition education program called “Mission Nutrition” was developed and implemented at Belmont Elementary School over the course of three and a half years. While originally designed for third through fifth grade students, the program was adapted for kindergarten, first, and second grade students …

Dietary Polyphenols And Their Perceived Health Benefits, Stephanie Russell

Honors Theses

This paper will consist of a compilation of information on polyphenol classes, dietary sources, and potential health benefits. Polyphenols can be classified as flavonoids, phenolic acids, lignans, or stilbenes. These molecules consist of over 500 plant metabolites that come from numerous food sources including various fruits, vegetables, grains, and beverages such as coffee, tea, and wine. The quantity of polyphenols in food vary greatly, as does their bioavailability for use in the body after consumption. Due to antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, polyphenols are being studied for effects on reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. This paper will focus on structural …

Campbell Elementary Afterschool Nutrition Science Club: Fun With Food, Natalie Strawhecker

Honors Theses

Several schools in the Lincoln Public School district have afterschool programs for students from 3:30-5:00pm in order to provide a safe and fun place for students to play while their parents are still at work. For this Honors Thesis an afterschool nutrition club was created for students to learn about MyPlate and healthy living.

A seven-week curriculum was created for students at Campbell Elementary with each week focusing on a different food group in MyPlate and healthy living as a whole. In order to track the students’ progress, an eight question pre and post quiz was developed. A weekly journal …

Lactose Intolerance: An Overview Of The Facts And Their Implications, Noelle M. Yeo

Honors Theses

Lactose intolerance is often blamed for the symptoms such as bloating, diarrhea, gas, abdominal pain, and nausea, that ail many people. Patients often do not seek proper diagnosis from a physician and create their own treatment plans, severely restricting lactose intake, without professional guidance. Even those who do seek the care of a physician find that diagnosis is complicated by less-than ideal testing and confusion due to the symptoms common to many other conditions. The misconceptions and inability to confirm a diagnosis of lactose intolerance can cause nutrient deficiencies in these patients, as well as begin a pattern of unnecessary …