Nutrition Commons^™

Simulated Reductions In Consumption Of Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Improves Diet Quality In Lower Mississippi Delta Adults, Jessica L. Thomson, Lisa M. Tussing-Humphreys, Stephen J. Onufrak, Carol Connell, Jamie M. Zoellner, Margaret L. Bogle, Kathleen Yadrick

Faculty Publications

Background

Although the effects of replacing sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) with water on energy intake and body weight have been reported, little is known about how these replacements affect diet quality.

Objective

To simulate the effects of replacing SSBs with tap water on diet quality and total energy intake of Lower Mississippi Delta (LMD) adults.

Design

Retrospective analysis of cross-sectional dietary intake data using a representative sample of LMD adults (n=1,689). Diet quality was measured using the Healthy Eating Index-2005 (HEI-2005) scores that were computed using the population ratio method. The effects of substituting SSBs with water on diet …

Contribution Of Dietary Supplements To The Nutritional Status Of College Students, Caroline Yu

Honors Scholar Theses

Little is known about the prevalence of dietary supplement usage among college students. Though taking dietary supplements can cover nutrient shortages not achieved through diet alone, it is often recommended to improve the quality of one's diet rather than rely on supplements. The main objective of this research study was to determine the prevalence of dietary supplement use among college students in relation to a variety of demographic and lifestyle variables, and to find out what portion of total nutrient intake is supplied by supplements. Subjects were all recruited from the University of Connecticut, and each participant completed a health …

Point-Of-Purchase Nutrition Information Influences Food-Purchasing Behaviors Of College Students: A Pilot Study, Marjorie Freedman, Rachel Conners

Faculty Publications

The goal of point-of-purchase (POP) nutrition information is to help consumers make informed, healthful choices. Despite limited evaluation, these population-based approaches are being advocated to replace traditional, more expensive, individual behavior-change strategies. Few studies have examined the effect of POP information on buying patterns of college students, a group with high obesity rates and poor eating habits. This quasi-experimental pilot project sought to determine whether the “Eat Smart” POP program affected food-purchasing habits of multiethnic college students shopping at an on-campus convenience store. Baseline sales data of foods in the cereal, soup, cracker, and bread categories were collected for 6 …

The Ability Of Households In Southeast Louisiana Eligible For The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program To Meet The Food Recommendations Of The 2010 Dietary Guidelines For Americans, Alicia Rodriguez

Honors Capstones

No abstract provided.

Pistachios On My Plate, Winston J. Craig

Lake Union Herald

No abstract provided.

Kombucha : An Exploration Of Microbial Composition, Brewing Conditions, And The Effect Of Fermentation Time On The Rate Of Alcohol Production, Erin-Leigh Gallop

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Kombucha is a fermented tea created with the help of a symbiotic culture of yeast and bacteria. The presence of bacteria and yeast in the broth of kombucha, and not solely in the top-floating pellicle layer, permit fermentation and alcohol production to continue after the “mother” SCOB Y has been removed and after bottling has occurred for mass consumption. In the normal metabolic path of kombucha fermentation, the yeast breaks down the disaccharide sucrose into the monosaccharides glucose and fructose. However, the microbial composition of kombucha varies. This study included the microbial identification of a species of kombucha currently being …

Nutrition And Fitness Guide For Graduating Student-Athletes, Anna Fukunaga

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

For the last four years of your life, you have been supported by strength coaches, academic advisors, athletic trainers, tutors, mentors, and coaches. Your life is dedicated to your sport, and your body is molded into the ideal build to compete at the highest level you can achieve. As soon as your competitive days are over, your life dramatically changes and the needs of your body change as well. Because you typically do not sustain the same level of activity, you do not have the same nutritional needs. The demands you place on your body for your sport are higher …

Improving Patient Satisfaction In A Hospital Foodservice System Using Low-Cost Interventions: Determining Whether A Room Service System Is The Next Step, Vanessa A. Theurer

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

A survey was used to assess patient foodservice satisfaction at an acute care hospital. Results were then used to identify the lowest scoring areas of foodservice. Low-cost interventions were implemented to address the areas of needed improvement. Patient satisfaction was reassessed by re-issuing surveys. Group T-tests were used to compare the results of the baseline and follow-up surveys (P

Effectiveness Of The Uri Senior Nutrition Awareness Project (Snap) Nutrition Education Programs With Older Rhode Islanders, Brittany L. Loriquet

Senior Honors Projects

SNAP is a federally-funded, free community nutrition program administered through the RI Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program—Education (SNAP-Ed), housed in the URI Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences. SNAP targets low-income older adults throughout Rhode Island, educating about 250 individuals each month. A monthly topic of current interest is addressed using an appropriate newsletter, recipe, and interactive component that are delivered at various senior centers and other venues.

As the SNAP undergraduate program assistant since September 2009, I have had the opportunity to create nutrition education materials and to assist in the delivery of community nutrition programming to low-income older adults. …

Associations Between Diet Quality And Perceived Quality Of Life In Overweight And Obese Older Adults, Klara Zolotnitskaya

Senior Honors Projects

Objective: To determine whether an association between health related quality of life (HRQOL) and dietary quality exists in overweight [body mass index (BMI) 25-29.9 kg/m²] and obese (BMI ≥ 30.0 kg/m²) older adults.

Design: A cross-sectional study.

Participants and Setting: One-hundred and nine overweight and obese older adults, 20 male and 89 female, ages 55-80 years from four Rhode Island senior centers. Participants were recruited from two urban senior centers, one in Warwick and one in Cranston, and two rural senior centers, one in North Kingstown and one in South Kingstown.

Measurements: Anthropometrics (height, weight, waist …

The Effects Of Sodium Bicarbonate Supplementation On Lower-Body Hypertrophy-Type Resistance Exercise, Benjamin Mclean Carr

Dissertations

A number of studies have demonstrated the ergogenic effects of induced-alkalosis on high-intensity intermittent exercise performance. Purpose: The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃) administration on a high-volume hypertrophy-type resistance exercise regimen for the lower body. Methods: In a double-blind counterbalanced manner, 12 resistance-trained male participants (mean ± SD; age = 20.3 ± 2 yr, mass = 88.3 ± 13.2 kg, height = 1.80 ± 0.07 m), with a minimum of two years of training experience, ingested either 0.3 g˙kg^-1 of NaHCO₃ or calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) …

Examining Dietary Acculturation In Hispanic Males Residing In South Mississippi, Diana Katherine Cuy Castellanos

Dissertations

This study explored dietary behavior in terms of dietary intake, dietary intake change and dietary contributing factors in a sample of Hispanic males residing in southern Mississippi that are at various stages of the acculturation process. Grounded theory and the bidimensional acculturation model were incorporated to identify the dietary factors and assess acculturation in each participant. Qualitative and quantitative measures were used in data collection. Qualitative measurements included Semistructured interviews, a focus group, and photovoice with group interviews. The ARSMA-II, Marginality Scale, Fruit/Vegetable and Fat Food Screeners, a psychosocial dietary questionnaire, and the New Vital Signs Food Label for Health …

Evaluating The Effectiveness Of The Utah County Fit Wic Program, Elizabeth R. Nixon

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

Childhood overweight and obesity is a growing problem across America. Public health interventions are needed to help address this problem. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and outcomes of the Utah County Fit WIC Program – which was initiated to address the needs of children who are overweight or at-risk of overweight based on Body Mass Index (BMI)-for-age.

Data was collected over the course of one year to examine associations between discussion of child’s weight and goal setting with parent(s)/caregiver(s) and changes in participants’ (n=167) BMI-for-age. The mean BMI-for-age decreased for participants studied across a one …

The Effectiveness Of A Structured, Long-Term, Multi-Component, Family-Based Weight Management Program In Reducing Body Mass Index Z-Scores And Improving Lifestyle Habits In Overweight/Obese Children And Adolescents, D. Pauline Williams

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Few studies have evaluated structured, long-term, family-based, weight management programs in children. This study’s purpose was to determine if completion of such a program resulted in reduced body mass index (BMI) z-scores and improved lifestyle habits.

An observational study overtime from 2008-2010 was conducted with 89 overweight/obese children. Subjects were divided into two groups, compliers (completed ≥ 7 intervention classes) and non-compliers (completed < 7 intervention classes.) The LiVe program, a 12-month structured, multi-component, family-based program, served as the study intervention. Anthropometric measurements and a written survey on lifestyle habits were used to obtain changes over 12 months in anthropometric, nutrition, activity, and behavior habits for subjects.

Descriptive statistics, chi square, analysis of co-variance, and a mixed model logistic regression were used to determine anthropometric and lifestyle habits change over time as well as differences between age, gender, and compliance groups. No demographic differences …

Microbiological, Thermal Inactivation, And Sensory Characteristics Of Beef Eye-Of-Round Subprimals And Steaks Processed With High-Pressure Needleless Injection, Laura Kahealani Jefferies

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

High-pressure needleless injection (HPNI) is a process where small-diameter, high-velocity burst of liquid, penetrate foods at pressures ≤ 10,000 psi. The potential of HPNI as an enhancing technique for meat was studied. In study 1, HPNI translocated surface E. coli O157 into the interior of beef eye-of-round subprimals with an incidence of 40 (±7), 25 (±8), and 25 (±8)% for meat that had been surface-inoculated with a four-strain cocktail at 0.5, 1, and 2 log₁₀ CFU/cm², respectively. Run-off water contained 2, 2, and 3 log₁₀ CFU/ml and was used for HPNI of additional subprimals, which resulted …

Help In Overweight/Obesity Prevention Effort (Hope) Study – A Study To Identify Resiliency Factors To Childhood Obesity And Comparison Between Body Mass Index And Figure Rating Scales, Rebecka L. Hanson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Obesity results from a complex interaction between diet, physical activity, and the environment. The purposes of this study were to identify behaviors associated with resilience to childhood obesity, and to compare the sensitivity of the Figure Rating Scales (FRS) in reflecting Body Mass Index (BMI).

Fifty health professionals in nutrition and 35 low-income, parent-and-child pairs completed the study. Children aged 6-11, perceived as “normal-weight” by their parents, were recruited. Five children had a measured BMI above the 85^th percentile. Using a picture-sort method, each participant responded to a series of questions about 13 childhood obesity-related messages. Results included comparison …

The Importance Of Metrics And Communication In Cafeteria School Policy, Andre Sanchez, Atreya Chakraborty

Interdisciplinary Perspectives: a Graduate Student Research Showcase

Obesity has become an epidemic amongst American youth in the 21st century, and is spreading not only into other developed nations such as the UK and Australia, but is also beginning to effect developing nations such as India (Bhardwaj, 2008). It is estimated that nationwide, childhood obesity affects around 17% of American children (Center For Disease Control, 2011). Obesity has been linked to many health disorders, including but not limited to, heart disease and diabetes. Subsequently, this rise in childhood obesity is having a severe impact on the healthcare services sector in America, with some studies suggesting childhood obesity in …

Sprinkles: Strategi Baru Pengendalian Defisiensi Zat Besi Dan Anemia Pada Bayi Dan Anak Di Negara Berkembang, Helwiah Umniyati

Kesmas

Anemia defisiensi besi pada bayi dan anak-anak merupakan masalah gizi di negara-negara berkembang termasuk di Indonesia, sementara program suplementasi dengan sirup atau tetes besi folat tidak efektif sehingga kepatuhannya rendah akibat keluhan rasa logam, pewarnaan gigi, gangguan lambung, dan potensi overdosis. Untuk meningkatkan kepatuhan suplementasi, telah dikembangkan formula micronutrient sprinkles, suatu metode baru fortifikasi zat besi yang dienkapsulasi dalam bentuk serbuk pada makanan tambahan berisi multi vitamin dan mineral. Studi kepustakaan ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui efektivitas pengobatan anemia pada bayi dan anak dengan formula sprinkles. Studi ini didasarkan pada rangkaian studi efikasi di Ghana dan beberapa negara lainnya. Hasil studi …

Peningkatan Peran Posyandu Partisipatif Melalui Pendampingan Dan Pelatihan Upaya Pemantauan Pertumbuhan Dan Masalah Gizi Balita Di Bone, Sulawesi Selatan, Aminuddin Aminuddin, Andi Zulkifli, Nurhaedar Djafar

Kesmas

Keberadaan posyandu dalam mendukung program kesehatan, khususnya program kesehatan ibu dan anak, belum seperti yang diharapkan karena partisipasi masyarakat yang rendah dalam perencanaan, pengelolaan, dan pelaksanaan program posyandu. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk meningkatkan partisipasi masyarakat dalam program posyandu, khususnya dalam memantau pertumbuhan dan perkembangan serta masalah gizi anak melalui pendampingan dan pelatihan learning organization (LO). Metode kuasi eksperimen (desain pre-post test treatment-control) digunakan untuk membandingkan posyandu yang didampingi dan dilatih dengan posyandu kontrol (yang tidak didampingi dan tidak dilatih) memakai uji Chi Square dan McNemar. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa pendampingan dan pelatihan LO mempengaruhi posyandu, terutama terhadap kinerja kader. Namun, …

Regulation Of Sterol Transport By Dietary Phytosterol Esters, Trevor J. Carden

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

LDL cholesterol is associated with the development of atherosclerosis and is therefore considered an important target for intervention to prevent cardiovascular diseases. The inhibition of cholesterol absorption in the small intestine is an attractive approach to lowering plasma cholesterol, one that is exploited by drug therapy as well as dietary supplementation with plant sterols. The mechanism of action of plant sterol esters (PSE) is still incompletely understood, therefore this study was conducted to test the hypothesis that hydrolysis of plant sterol esters is necessary for their cholesterol-lowering effects to be realized.

Male Syrian hamsters were fed diets containing no PSE, …

Impact Of Maternal Education About Complementary Feeding And Provision Of Complementary Foods On Child Growth In Developing Countries, Aamer Imdad, Mohammad Yawar Yakoob, Zulfiqar Ahmed Bhutta

Woman and Child Health

Background:Childhood undernutrition is prevalent in low and middle income countries. It is an important indirect cause of child mortality in these countries. According to an estimate, stunting (height for age Z score < -2) and wasting (weight for height Z score < -2) along with intrauterine growth restriction are responsible for about 2.1 million deaths worldwide in children < 5 years of age. This comprises 21 % of all deaths in this age group worldwide. The incidence of stunting is the highest in the first two years of life especially after six months of life when exclusive breastfeeding alone cannot fulfill the energy needs of a rapidly growing child. Complementary feeding for an infant refers to timely introduction of safe and nutritional foods in addition to breast-feeding (BF) i.e. clean and nutritionally rich additional foods introduced at about six months of infant age. Complementary feeding strategies encompass a wide variety of interventions designed to improve not only the quality and quantity of these foods but also improve the feeding behaviors. In this review, we evaluated the effectiveness of two most commonly applied strategies of complementary feeding i.e. timely provision of appropriate complementary foods (+/- nutritional counseling) and education to mothers about practices of complementary feeding on growth. Recommendations have been made for input to the Lives Saved Tool (LiST) model by following standardized guidelines developed by Child Health Epidemiology Reference Group (CHERG).

Methods:

We conducted a systematic review of published randomized and quasi-randomized trials on PubMed, Cochrane Library and WHO regional databases. The included studies were abstracted and graded according to Study Design, limitations, intervention details and outcome effects. The primary outcomes were change in weight and height during the study period among children 6-24 months of age. We hypothesized that provision of complementary food and education of mother …

It Takes A Village To Raise A Healthy Child: Collaborative Strategies For Nourishment Of American Youth, Ashley Watkins, Tameika Sanchez

Undergraduate Research Conference

No abstract provided.

Green Tea Aids In Overall Health, Noelle Norman

Undergraduate Research Conference

Green tea is highly effective in aiding in overall health if consumed on a daily basis and can reduce incidence of cardiovascular disease, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer. The primary compounds found in green tea are polyphenols which include catechins, epicatechin(EC), epigallocatechin(EGC), epicatechingallate(ECG), andepigallocatechingallate(EGCG). Five research studies were analyzed to verify the validity of the hypothesis that green consumption is beneficial in overall health. In these studies, green tea was found to aid in weight loss with those who consumed green tea regularly, as well as having effects on thermogenesis and fat oxidation to control wait …

Estimation Of The Number Of Days Required To Determine Usual Antioxidant Intakes And Assessment Of The Prevalence Of Nutrient Inadequacy Among College Students, Catherine G. Davis

Master's Theses

High intake of antioxidant rich foods has been shown to decrease risk factors of chronic disease.  Young adulthood may be crucial in establishing healthy lifestyles including adequate nutrient consumption.

The present study was designed 1) to estimate usual nutrient intakes, 2) to calculate the number of days required to estimate usual antioxidant intake, and 3) to assess intake adequacy from diet and diet + supplement sources by using the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR).  The USDA Flavonoid and Proanthocyanidin databases, food consumption data, and dietary supplement use data from 60 students aged 18-25 years at the University of Connecticut were utilized. …

Heat Induced Cis/Trans Isomerization In Vegetable Oils And Oleic Acid, John Harwood Scott, Sarah E.G. Porter

Theses & Honors Papers

With the FDA mandating that all foodstuff labels list the amount of trans fates within their product, it becomes necessary to have a rapid and reproducible method for quantifying trans content within foods. Research has led to the advent of an analytical method that utilizes attenuated total reflectance with a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer to quantitatively measure trans fat in foodstuffs. The method is possible because of an infrared absorbance band at 966 cm that is unique to nutritional trans fats. This research used the aforementioned method to quantify trans fat content in common cooking vegetable oils. Before analysis , …

Unsaturated Fatty Acids Repress The Expression Of Atp-Binding Cassette Transporter A1 In Hepg2 And Fhs 74 Int Cells, Chai Siah Ku, Heather E. Rasmussen, Young-Ki Park, Elliot D. Jesch, Ji-Young Lee

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

Adenosine triphosphate–binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) plays a critical role in the formation and metabolism of high-density lipoproteins (HDLs). Adenosine triphosphate–binding cassette transporter A1 in the liver and small intestine, in particular, accounts for approximately 90% of plasma HDL cholesterol. Therefore, any alterations in the hepatic and intestinal expression of ABCA1 could have a large impact on HDL biogenesis. We tested the hypothesis that ABCA1 expression is regulated differentially by different types of fatty acids in the liver and small intestine. Human hepatoma HepG2 and human small intestine epithelial FHs 74 Int cells were used as an in vitro model. …

Sleep Matters, Winston J. Craig

Lake Union Herald

No abstract provided.

Limes, Melanie Jewkes

All Current Publications

Limes are a great citrus fruit that adds a zest to many meals. Learn how to select, use, and cook with limes

Preschool Children’S Willingness To Try And Preference For Docosahexaenoic Acid Omega-3 Foods, Bethany Joann Bettenhausen

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

During the preschool years, obesigenic eating habits are formed which are strongly associated with risk of developing chronic diseases later in life particularly cardiovascular disease. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) omega-3 fatty acid is a polyunsaturated fat with known benefits for heart health, brain cell structure, and retinal development. Current intakes of DHA are below recommended levels. United States (US) Midwestern children may be particularly at risk for suboptimal intakes of DHA. However, foods fortified with life’sDHA^TM, a product of Martek Biosciences and omega-3 eggs may provide culturally acceptable sources of DHA to Midwestern children.

Very little is known about …

Potatoes, Melanie Jewkes

All Current Publications

Potatoes are a wonderful staple food that are versatile and store well. Learn how to select, cook, prepare, and store potatoes.