Nutrition Commons^™

Diet Quality As Assessed By The Healthy Eating Index-2020 Among Individuals Diagnosed With And Without Type 2 Diabetes, Minghao Zhou, Hairui Yu, Renee Underwood, Hongning Cai, Tung Sung Tseng, Susu Luo

School of Public Health Faculty Publications

Background: Dietary management is key to preventing and controlling type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, few studies have examined differences in Healthy Eating Index (HEI-2020) scores and components among individuals with and without diagnosed T2DM. This study aimed to assess gender differences in HEI-2020 scores and its 13 components by T2DM status. Methods: Using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data from 2011 to 2018, this cross-sectional study analyzed 19,464 adults. Diagnosed T2DM was identified via self-report or diabetes medication use. Diet quality was assessed using the HEI-2020, scored from 0 to 100, with a higher HEI score indicates …

The Association Between Rapid Growth In Children Under The Age Of Five And Adolescent Obesity, Ratu Ayu Dewi Sartika, Fadila Wirawan, Iche Andriyani Liberty, Nurul Husna Mohd Shukri, Siti Arifah Pujonarti, Edy Purwanto, Munaya Fauziah

Kesmas

Early-life nutrition is a critical predictor of long-term health, yet the association between rapid early-childhood growth and adolescent obesity, particularly in relation to the “double burden of malnutrition,” remains under-researched in Indonesia. This study aimed to analyze the association between rapid growth and adolescent obesity. Data were obtained from the 1997, 2000, and 2014 waves of the Indonesian Family Life Survey (IFLS). This study included 641 children (aged 0–23 months at baseline) with complete anthropometric measurements across all three waves. Rapid growth was defined as an increase in z-scores of >0.67 in weight-for-age (WAZ), height-for-age (HAZ), or weight-for-height (WHZ) between …

Environmental Perspective For System Dynamics Modeling Of Stunting Mitigation To Achieve The Sustainable Development Goals In West Sumatra, Indonesia, Elsa Yuniarti, Nabila Azzahra, Yulhendri Yulhendri, Heldi Heldi, Mery Delvina, Saskia Putri Azeli

Kesmas

This study developed a system dynamics model to simulate stunting reduction in West Sumatra Province, Indonesia, by integrating infant and toddler health, maternal health, and environmental determinants. Secondary data from 2020–2024 on low birth weight, immunization, malnutrition, exclusive breastfeeding, maternal chronic energy deficiency, iron and folic acid supplement distribution, sanitation, and safe drinking water access were compiled from West Sumatra Provincial Health Office and Statistics Indonesia, and validated through consultation with five stakeholder institutions. Causal Loop Diagrams mapped feedback relationships among determinants and were translated into Stock Flow Diagrams using Powersim Studio 10. The model was validated through structural verification, …

Osteoporosis Knowledge, Health Beliefs, And Calcium Intake Among Malaysian Chinese Adults In Perak: A Cross-Sectional Study, Thean Hui Ru, Nurul Aimi Ab Kadir, Fatin Izzaty Mohd Shahrin

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: The Malaysian Chinese population records the highest national prevalence of osteoporotic hip fractures. This study investigated the relationships between osteoporosis knowledge, health beliefs, and calcium intake among Malaysian Chinese adults.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 205 Malaysian Chinese adults in Kampar, Perak, using the adapted Osteoporosis Prevention and Awareness Tool (OPAAT), Osteoporosis Health Belief Scale (OHBS), and a 30-item Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ).

Results: Participants demonstrated low osteoporosis knowledge (6.84 ± 2.92), with low perceived susceptibility (14.87 ± 5.00), moderate perceived seriousness (17.81 ± 5.20), and barriers to calcium intake (15.61 ± 4.15), and …

Malnutrition Risk, Nutrition Insecurity, Barriers, And Facilitators To Dietary Management Among Adults With Inflammatory Bowel Disease In The Us Rocky Mountain Region: A Cross-Sectional Mixed-Methods Study, Heather Burr, Carrie Durward, Korry Hintze, Getrude Mphwanthe

Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Science Student Research

We conducted an online cross-sectional study to assess malnutrition risk, food and nutrition insecurity, and perceived barriers and facilitators to dietary management among adults (18–64 years old) with a self-reported clinical diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in outpatient and community settings. We assessed malnutrition risk using the Saskatchewan IBD-Nutrition Risk screening tool, food security risk using the two-item Hunger Vital Signs questionnaire, and nutrition security risk using a validated four-item tool. Open-ended questions elucidated barriers and facilitators to dietary management of IBD. Among 57 participants who self-reported a clinical diagnosis of IBD, 52.6% (n = 30/57) had ulcerative colitis, …

Enhancing Nutrition Communication Skills Through Community-Based Learning To Create Cooperative Extension Resources, Elizabeth Lucas Combs, Anna Cason, Courtney Luecking, Heather Norman-Burgdolf

Journal of Dietetic Education

Strong communication and transferable skills are essential for future dietitians. This Best Evidence Teaching Strategy describes a community-based approach within an upper-level community nutrition course that partnered with the Cooperative Extension Service. Over six weeks, scaffolded assignments emphasized written, oral, and digital media skills, aligning with current trends in scientific communication. Students created information releases, podcasts, and short videos to translate evidence-based nutrition content into accessible formats for public audiences. Collaboration with Extension provided authentic context and motivation, as high-quality projects could be disseminated statewide.

The Registered Dietitian Nutritionist’S Implementation Of Dysphagia Screening In Clinical Practice: A Commentary, Nicole Wiksten, Holly Estes-Doetsch, Laura C. Boucher, Sarah Rusnak, Kristen M. Roberts

Journal of Dietetic Education

Background: The Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) amended the competencies for the future education model (FEM) in dietetic education to include competency 3.6 stating that the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) must be able to "Initiate and conduct bedside swallow screenings". There is no clear process for RDNs to implement dysphagia screening in practice or academia. The aim of this review is to inform clinicians and educators on current literature discussing current RDN and speech language pathology approaches to dysphagia screening and to provide a proposed curriculum for implementation of competency 3.6 in clinical practice and academia.

Measuring The Empathy Of Nutrition And Dietetics Students With The Jefferson Scale Of Empathy – Health Professions Student Version: A Pilot Study, Sara Tamsukhin, Youn Seon Lim

Journal of Dietetic Education

The purpose of this study was to learn about undergraduate nutrition and dietetics students’ empathy scores. The study was a descriptive quantitative design with a web-based, cross-sectional survey. Participants were undergraduate nutrition and dietetics students from two universities who completed a survey with demographic questions, clinical experience questions, and the Jefferson Scale of Empathy – Health Professions Student version (JSE-HPS©). Seventy-one nutrition and dietetics students completed the survey. Most respondents were female, white, and non-Hispanic. The mean total empathy score was 114.69 (SD=11.09) with a range of 81 to 137. Welch’s t-test did not show significant differences by gender, ethnicity, …

Disability-Related Educational Content In Nutrition And Dietetic Programs: An Exploratory Study, Wendy Medunick, Allison Gomes, Joachim Sackey, Laura Byham-Gray, Jane Ziegler

Journal of Dietetic Education

Background: Health disparities experienced by people with disabilities (PWD) are partly attributed to inadequate knowledge, training, confidence and competence regarding disabilities among health professionals. While registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) are key members of the healthcare team, it is unclear how pre-professional nutrition and dietetics (ND) programs prepare future RDNs to care for PWD. This study examined the status of disability-related education within ND programs in the United States. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional electronic survey was distributed to 570 directors of accredited ND programs. The survey, which adapted questions from a previously validated instrument and published studies, included questions assessing disability-related …

Assessing And Addressing Cultural Competence And Cultural Humility In Dietetic Education, Zoe Duran, Nicholas Slagel, Lisa Caldwell, Katie Kage

Journal of Dietetic Education

Limited theory-informed, dietetic-specific resources are available to guide the development, evaluation, and refinement of culturally competent (CC) curricula. This pilot study used a mixed-methods, theory-informed approach to evaluate CC integration within an undergraduate dietetics curriculum and examine the applicability of existing CC self-assessment tools for dietetic students. A senior-level undergraduate community nutrition curriculum was evaluated using the Tool for Assessing Cultural Competence Training (TACCT), guided by the Campinha-Bacote Model of Cultural Competence in Healthcare Delivery. James Banks’ Model of Multicultural Curriculum Reform was then applied to refine curricular content and learning activities. In addition, 74 students enrolled in a didactic …

Virtual Reality: The Future Of Didactic And Experiential Education For Nutrition And Dietetics, Michael Holik, Dexter Richardson

Journal of Dietetic Education

The integration of virtual reality (VR) into nutrition and dietetics education provides an innovative answer to challenges in accessing experiential learning. This study examined student perceptions of immersive VR experiences designed to simulate hospital foodservice operations and nutrition counseling sessions, guided by the Diffusion of Innovation Theory (DOI). A quasi-experimental design involved 55 participants who engaged with 360° VR modules featuring interactive elements, avatars representing key healthcare roles, and embedded critical-thinking questions. Results demonstrated strong support for VR’s educational value across DOI’s five key attributes: relative advantage, compatibility, complexity, trialability, and observability. Participants reported enhanced understanding of registered dietitian roles, …

Editors' Message, Volume 4, Issue 2, Diana Cuy Castellanos, M Elizabeth (Beth) Miller

Journal of Dietetic Education

In this edition, you will find research on the use of virtual reality in experiential food service learning, instruments to assess cultural competency and humility in dietetic students, and tools for measuring empathy—an area of growing importance in dietetic pedagogy. Additionally, this issue explores the inclusion of disability-related curricula in education programs and features a commentary on RDNs implementing swallow screenings within clinical practice, highlighting how this procedure falls within an RDN’s scope of practice when supported by proper training and demonstrated competency.

Cover, Table Of Contents, About The Journal

Journal of Dietetic Education

No abstract provided.

Staphylococcus Aureus Urease Is Controlled By A Complex Regulatory Network To Promote Dissemination During Cauti, Jana Gomez, Jesus Duran-Ramirez, Maristhela Alvarez, Shane Cristy, Jennifer N Walker

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) are one of the most common hospital-associated infections in the United States, accounting for >1 million cases annually. One CAUTI pathogen, Staphylococcus aureus, is commonly found persisting asymptomatically in the bladder of catheterized individuals, increasing these individuals' risk of developing infection. Importantly, S. aureus is not only associated with severe symptoms during CAUTI, including bacteremia and septic shock, but it also produces a common uropathogen-associated virulence factor, urease. Despite its importance, urease has only been well-studied in another uropathogen, Proteus mirabilis. While previous studies identified three S. aureus urease regulators, including CodY, …

Full-Fat Dairy Milk Vs. Isolated Free Nutrient Blend On Postprandial Protein Metabolism And Inflammatory Markers In Adults With Overweight And Obesity, Takeshi M. Barnes, Zan Zupancic, Max T. Deutz, Andrew T. Askow, Colleen F. Mckenna, Jonathan A. Aguilera, Cassidy T. Tinline-Goodfellow, Alexander V. Ulanov, Jared W. Willard, Daniel W. D. West, Michael De Lisio, Daniel R. Moore, Nicholas A. Burd

Kinesiology & Sport Management Scholarship

Excess adiposity is linked to anabolic resistance by blunting the postprandial myofibrillar protein synthetic response to protein ingestion. Full-fat dairy milk may overcome this resistance via a matrix combining high-quality protein with anti-inflammatory lipids. Therefore, we compared the effects of ingesting full-fat dairy milk versus a non-dairy macronutrient match isolated blend on the regulation of postprandial myofibrillar and mitochondrial protein synthesis rates and markers of systemic (i.e., IL-6 and TNF-α) and muscle-related inflammation (i.e., NF-κB, NLRP3, TLR4, and MyD88). Twenty-two obese and overweight adult males and females (BMI = 31.1 ± 3.7 kg m−2; aged 35.3 ± 13.2 y) were …

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 …

Incorporation Of Dairy Ingredients Into Chocolate And Caramel: Impact On Product Quality, Shelf Life, And Consumer Acceptance, Taelie Kennedy

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Incorporating next-generation milk powders like milk protein isolate (MPI) and milk protein concentrate (MPC) into confections can increase protein content. Milk permeate powders (MPP) are byproducts of the production of high-protein dairy ingredients (MPC and MPI). Typically considered waste streams, growing awareness of sustainability has increased interest in the use of MPP in food. There is minimal research on the use of these ingredients in confections. 

This study evaluated the effects of incorporating milk protein powders and MPP into chocolate and the effects of replacing granulated sugar with MPP in caramel on product quality and consumer acceptance. 

Chocolate batches were …

Pre-Post Changes In Physiological, Cognitive, And Motivational Outcomes Following An Active Video Game Intervention In Adolescents And Adults: A Pilot Study, Ashley Williams, Danielle D. Wadsworth, Thaangiah Geetha

Publications

Active video games (AVG) are emerging as a promising home-based strategy to increase physical activity by integrating movement into interactive gameplay. However, evidence remains limited regarding their effectiveness across physiological, cognitive, and motivational outcomes in adolescents and adults within household settings.

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 …

Campus Food Recovery: Balancing Sustainability And Student Needs, Scott T. Taylor Jr., Wenhao Zhang, Robin B. Dipietro, Mary Stein, Junehee Kwon

ICHRIE Research Reports

The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of a food recovery program at a large university on food waste reduction and food insecurity mitigation. The primary goal of the food recovery program was two-fold: to help provide ready-to-eat meals for students facing food insecurity and to help the campus food service provider minimize post-production food waste. Thus, food was recovered from multiple dining outlets on a large university campus in the southeast United States. To ensure a valid comparison between 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 academic years, a 3-month period during the spring semesters in 2023 and 2024 was …

Nutritive Values Of Three Edible Green Seaweeds Collected From Dar Es Salaam Coast, Tanzania, Amelia S. Buriyo, Denis Gahunde, Kristian M. Kitali, David C. Simiyu

Tanzania Journal of Science

Tanzania is endowed with different seaweed (macroalgae) species, found abundantly along the coastline. Most of these hold a great potential as nutritious food sources with promising applications in food industry. These seaweeds could be highly utilized for effective management of the high levels of malnutrition in the country. Nonetheless, the nutritional potential of most seaweeds occurring in Tanzania is still unknown. Understanding the nutritional value of the commonly available edible seaweeds, could be an important step towards promoting them as food supplements in the country. In this study, the nutritive values (crude proteins, total carbohydrates, lipids, crude fibre, vitamins, and …

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 …

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 …

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 …

Haematological Responses Of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis Niloticus) To Diets Supplemented With Varying Levels Of Plant Leaf Meals, Isaack V. Makombe, Harishchandra Pratap, Felister Urasa, Blandina R Lugendo

Tanzania Journal of Science

Plant leaf meals have the potential to replace fishmeal in fish feed formulation, hence reducing its cost and increasing fish production. This study evaluated the effects of plant leaf meals (PLMs) on haematological parameters in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). The PLMs of cassava, sweet potatoes, cowpeas and common beans were substituted at the rate of 100% (mixed leaves of all four species, Diet 5), followed by each separate leaf meal at 100% (Diet 4), 75% (Diet 3), 50% (Diet 2) and 0% (control diet containing fish meal, Diet 1). Fish collected from Mbegani Fisheries Institute were kept in five, 80 …

Operationally Ready Vs Gym Ready: Training For The Real Demands Of Tactical Work, Ben Jacobs

Tactical & Occupational Performance Conference

Tactical organizations are increasingly recognizing that readiness extends beyond fitness alone. Structured performance systems that integrate training, recovery, nutrition, and fatigue management can help departments improve resilience, reduce injuries, and sustain operational capability over an entire career.

Session's revolve around the concept of Tactical Readiness Architecture, a systems-based framework designed to help departments build structured, sustainable performance support for their personnel. Rather than focusing solely on workouts or individual habits, Tactical Readiness Architecture integrates training, recovery, nutrition, fatigue management, and data-informed monitoring into a cohesive readiness model.