Nutrition Commons^™

Dietary Influence And Neurodegenerative Disease Risk: Insight From Alzheimer’S And Parkinson’S Disease, Madison Wirt

Honors Projects

As populations age, neurodegenerative diseases (NDD) become significantly more prevalent and impactful on patients and families. Clinical research has suggested a correlation between diet, gut health, neuroinflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction to the onset and development of specific and severe NDDs, especially Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD). This research focuses on the relationship behind the gut-brain axis, micronutrient status and how diet influences the development of both AD and PD. Ten randomized, controlled trials were analyzed from the literature to investigate the impact of these factors on the inflammatory, metabolic and antioxidant processes. The studies focused on the use …

The Role Of Top-Down Appetite Self-Regulation In The Development Of Healthy Eating Behaviors Among Children: A Narrative Review And Socialization Framework, David J Bridgett, Sheryl O Hughes, Matthew Broussard, Daniela Mccourt, Christina M Croce, Jennifer O Fisher

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Appetite self-regulation (ASR) among children is thought to have a fundamental role in shaping the development of healthy eating behaviors, dietary intake, and growth during childhood. Parallel to developmental frameworks for understanding "general" self-regulation among children, ASR has been described as involving children's use of "top-down" cognitive processes to moderate "bottom-up" biological drives around food approach and avoidance in the interest of achieving desired eating behaviors or outcomes. Whereas bottom-up ASR processes during early childhood are well characterized, particularly in the context of dysregulation and obesity risk, the role of top-down ASR processes in the development of healthy eating behaviors …

Nutrient-Driven Transcription Factor-Dna Interactions And Their Signaling Mechanisms In Metabolic Disease, Evelyn A. Bates

Theses and Dissertations--Nutritional Sciences

Metabolic homeostasis is maintained through tightly coordinated signaling networks that integrate diverse physiological inputs. Central to this regulation are transcription factors, which sense nutrient, hormonal, and vitamin-derived signals and translate them into coordinated gene expression programs. Transcription factor activity is governed by DNA binding, recruitment of coregulatory proteins, and interactions with specific response elements in gene promoters, which allows them to selectively modulate diverse metabolic pathways. Owing to their multifactorial and tunable nature, transcription factors have emerged as promising targets for the treatment and diagnosis of metabolic diseases, including metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). This dissertation explores the molecular …

“Shaking The Ladder” Reveals How Analytic Choices Can Influence Associations In Nutrition Epidemiology: Beef Intake And Coronary Heart Disease As A Case Study, Colby J Vorland, Lauren E O'Connor, Beate Henschel, Cuiqiong Huo, James M Shikany, Carlos A Serrano, Robert Henschel, Stephanie L Dickinson, Keisuke Ejima, Aurelian Bidulescu, David B Allison, Andrew W Brown

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

Nutrition epidemiological models involve many analytic decisions, such as defining exposures, selecting which covariates to include, or configuring variables in different ways. We explored the impact of analytical decisions on conclusions in nutrition epidemiology using self-reported beef intake and incident coronary heart disease as a case study. We used REasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) data, and selected covariates and their configurations from published literature to recapitulate common models used to assess associations between meat intake and health outcomes. Three model sets were designed: sets one and two used continuous and quintile-defined beef intakes, respectively, each with …

Insulinemic And Inflammatory Dietary Patterns And Colorectal Cancer Risk: A Dietary Data Harmonization Study Of One Million Participants In The Consortium Of Metabolomics Studies (Comets), Ni Shi, Rachel Hoobler, Rhea Harewood, Amanda E Toland, Demetrius Albanes, Emmanouil Bouras, Marc J Gunter, Linda M Liao, Steven C Moore, Fulvio Ricceri, Jerome I Rotter, Rashmi Sinha, Rachael Stolzenberg-Solomon, Anne Tjønneland, Alexis C Wood, Danxia Yu, Mary C Playdon, Fred K Tabung

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

Background: Inflammatory and insulinemic dietary patterns have been associated with colorectal cancer (CRC) risk, but generalizability across diverse populations with heterogeneous food supplies and dietary behaviors has not been established.

Objectives: We harmonized disparate dietary and covariate data on a large scale to compute the reverse Empirical Dietary Index for Hyperinsulinemia (rEDIH), reverse Empirical Dietary Inflammatory Pattern (rEDIP), and Healthy Eating Index (HEI)-2015 scores, and tested their associations with CRC risk.

Methods: We leveraged data among 501,892 women and 407,390 men from 6 cohorts across the United States (NIH-AARP, Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis, Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian, SCCS) and …

How The Intake Of Pulses May Impact Metabolic Disorders And Dementia Risk: A Narrative Review, Lisa Michelle Belzer Salinas, Maricarmen Marroquin, Mariana Mendez, Isabel Omaña-Guzmán, Juan Carlos López-Alvarenga

Health & Biomedical Sciences Faculty Publications

We present a narrative review focusing on pulses’ geographical origin and distribution, their impact on human evolution and history, and their influence on human health. Pulses, including dry peas, beans, and lentils, are renowned for their richness in chemical antioxidants. Despite containing antinutrients, processing techniques preserve their health advantages. Epidemiological research has consistently demonstrated that the consumption of pulses is associated with favorable effects on metabolism. This evidence is further supported by molecular and clinical research, which has elucidated potential nutrigenomic mechanisms and effects on gut microbiota composition underlying their health benefits. However, the literature lacks randomized controlled clinical trials …

Sleep-Disordered Breathing Subtypes And Future Diet Quality In The Multi-Ethnic Study Of Atherosclerosis, Kaitlin S Potts, Cecilia Castro-Diehl, Tianyi Huang, Alexis C Wood, Jerome I Rotter, Stephen S Rich, Tamar Sofer, Susan Redline, Heming Wang

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

Objectives: Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) and diet quality impact cardiometabolic disease, but few studies have examined if SDB influences diet quality. This study estimated the association between SDB subtypes (with and without sleepiness) and future diet quality in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis.

Methods: Probable SDB was characterized by self-reported physician-diagnosed sleep apnea (PDSA) or habitual snoring and subtyped by presence or absence of sleepiness. A food frequency questionnaire measured diet 1.6 years before, and 7.8 years after SDB assessment. Diet quality was measured with the Alternate Healthy Eating Index-2010 (AHEI). Mean differences in AHEI at follow-up by SDB subtypes were …

The Overlooked Impact Of Background Diet And Adherence In Nutrition Trials, Javier I Ottaviani, Hagen Schroeter, Dennis M Bier, John W Erdman, Howard D Sesso, Joann E Manson, Gunter G C Kuhnle

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

Randomised controlled trials in nutrition (RCTN) face unique challenges, including the considerable influence of the background diet and the challenge of assuring intervention adherence by participants. The impact of these factors on the outcome of RCTNs has been difficult to quantify, but nutritional biomarkers represent a valuable tool to address these challenges. Using flavanols as a model dietary intervention and a set of recently validated flavanol biomarkers, we here investigated the impact of background diet and adherence on the outcomes of a subcohort of the COcoa Supplement and Multivitamin Outcomes Study (COSMOS, NCT 02422745). We found that 20% of participants …

The Dynamic Responses Of The Mouse Gut Microbiome To Dietary Supplementation With Various Anthocyanin-Rich Foods In The Context Of A Western Diet, Abby D. Benninghoff

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Background/Objectives: Chronic inflammation and Western-style diets elevate colorectal cancer (CRC) risk, particularly in individuals with colitis, a feature of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Diets rich in polyphenol-containing functional foods, such as cocoa, may reduce gut inflammation and modulate the gut microbiome. This study examined the effects of cocoa polyphenol (CP) supplementation on inflammation and microbiome composition before, during, and after colitis in mice fed either a healthy or Western diet. We hypothesized that CPs would attenuate inflammation and promote distinct micro-biome shifts, especially in the context of a Western diet. Methods: A 2×2 factorial design tested the effects of basal …

The Joint Association Of Diet Quality And Sleep Regularity With Incident Cardiovascular Disease In The Multi-Ethnic Study Of Atherosclerosis, Kaitlin S Potts, Claire Veldkamp, Alexis C Wood, Erin D Michos, Raymond Noordam, Tianyi Huang, Susan Redline, Heming Wang

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

Background/objectives: Diet quality and sleep regularity both influence cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and may influence each other, but there is scarce evidence for their joint or interacting associations in relation to CVD. We assessed these associations in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA).

Methods: Participants free of CVD with valid diet and sleep measures in 2010-2013 were included and followed through 2020 for detection of incident CVD (188 events detected over 8.8 years among 1782 participants; 55% women). Sleep timing and duration regularity were assessed via the intra-individual SD of sleep onset time and duration across 5- to 7-day actigraphy. …

The Small Gtpase Rap1 In Pomc Neurons Regulates Leptin Actions And Glucose Metabolism, Kentaro Kaneko, Weisheng Lu, Yong Xu, Alexei Morozov, Makoto Fukuda

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

The hypothalamic leptin-proopiomelanocortin (POMC) pathway is critical for regulating metabolism. POMC neurons in the arcuate nucleus respond to leptin and play a pivotal role in mediating energy and glucose balance. However, during diet-induced obesity (DIO), these neurons often develop resistance to exogenous leptin. Recently, the small GTPase Rap1 has been implicated as an inhibitor of neuronal leptin signaling; however, its specific role within POMC neurons remains unexplored. We generated tamoxifen-inducible, POMC neuron-specific Rap1 knockout mice to selectively delete both Rap1a and Rap1b isoforms in POMC neurons. By analyzing these mice through metabolic phenotyping, immunohistochemistry, and biochemical assays, we show that …

The Impact Of Diet On Preeclampsia: An Observational Study Of Nutritional Influence, Trinity G. Moye, Alyssa Cunningham

Department of Nutrition Student Projects

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-specific condition typically diagnosed after 20 weeks of gestation in women with no prior history of hypertension. Characterized by high blood pressure, proteinuria, thrombocytopenia, increased liver enzymes, and affecting the arteries carrying blood to the placenta, preeclampsia affects the health of both the mother and the fetus. Preeclampsia is disproportionately prevalent in certain populations, specifically among Black women, with various factors contributing to the higher susceptibility including socioeconomic status, education, and health distrust. These factors have been historically structured against Black women in American society. This study aims to reveal how dietary habits can play a role …

Exploring Profiles Of Fathers Integrating Food And Physical Activity Parenting Practices, John A Jimenez-Garcia, Louise C Mâsse, Robert L Newton, Salma M Musaad, Alicia Beltran, Teresia M O'Connor

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

Objective: This study aims to identify fathers' profiles integrating food parenting practices (FPP) and physical activity parenting practices (PAPP).

Design: We analysed cross-sectional data. The fathers completed the reduced FPP and PAPP item banks and socio-demographic and family dynamics (co-parenting and household responsibility) questionnaires. We identified fathers' profiles via latent profile analysis. We explored the influence of social determinants, child characteristics and family dynamics on fathers' profiles using multinomial logistic regression.

Setting: Online survey in the USA.

Participants: Fathers of 5-11-year-old children.

Results: We analysed data from 606 fathers (age = 38 ± 8·0; Hispanic = 37·5 %). Most fathers …

More Choosy For Minor Foods: Diet, Seasonality And Food Selection In Sympatric Frugivorous And Folivorous Lemurs, Mitchell Irwin, Vololonirina Rahalinarivo, Bruno Ramorasata, Jean-Luc Raharison, Jean-Freddy Ranaivoarisoa, Chloé Gherardi, Jessica Rothman

Faculty Articles, Papers, and Other Scholarship

Despite traditional dietary categories common in primatology (folivore, frugivore, insectivore), most primates use one or more food types beyond their primary one. Among lemurs, folivores tend to have a complicated, long gastrointestinal tract with an enlarged cecum, shearing teeth, and microbiome adaptations to foliage, while frugivores have simple teeth and guts and fast gut passage. Yet frugivores often eat some leaves, and folivores eat some fruit, and little is known about the selection rules they follow within each food type. We quantified diet and food chemistry for two sympatric rainforest lemurs: a cathemeral frugivore (brown lemur, Eulemur fulvus) and a …

Impact Of Resistance Training On Bone During 40% Caloric Restriction In Growing Female Rats, Ken D. Sumida, Daniel L. Smithers, Aaron Gerston, Kim A. Lagerborg, S. Victoria Jaque, Fred Caporaso

Food Science Faculty Articles and Research

There is a growing trend in the use of severe caloric restrictive diets among normal weight young females that can jeopardize bone health. Using an animal model, the purpose of this study was to determine whether resistance training (RT) could maintain bone health during a 6-week severe caloric restrictive (CR) diet in growing female rats. Twenty-four female rats (~ 8 weeks old) were randomly divided into the following groups: sedentary rats fed a normal diet (N = 8), sedentary rats fed a 40% CR diet (D = 8), and an RT group fed a 40% CR diet (DT …

Red Meat Consumption And Hypertension: An Updated Review, Tara S Allen, Michael Najem, Alexis C Wood, Danielle J Lee, Lorena S Pacheco, Lori B Daniels, Matthew A Allison

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Hypertension (HTN) is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD). The global prevalence of HTN and related CVD mortality continues to rise. The development of HTN is influenced by genetic predisposition and modifiable risk factors, including diet. One area of ongoing debate is the relationship between red meat consumption and risk of HTN.

RECENT FINDINGS: Processed red meat has become increasingly implicated in the pathogenesis and morbidity of HTN, though randomized control trials comparing HTN-related outcomes associated with red meat subtypes have yielded heterogenous results. This review summarizes the existing relevant literature and highlights the methodological …

Sex Differences In Response To Diet Enriched With Glutathione Precursors In The Aging Heart, Aude Angelini, Grecia Garcia Marquez, Anna Malovannaya, Marta L Fiorotto, Alexander Saltzman, Antrix Jain, Joann Trial, George E Taffet, Katarzyna A Cieslik

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Common features of the aging heart are dysregulated metabolism, inflammation, and fibrosis. Elevated oxidative stress is another hallmark of cardiac aging that can exacerbate each of these conditions. We hypothesize that by increasing natural antioxidant levels (glutathione), we will improve cardiac function. Twenty-one-month-old mice were fed glycine and N-acetyl cysteine (GlyNAC; glutathione precursors)-supplemented or control diets for 12 weeks. Heart function was monitored longitudinally, and the exercise performance was determined at the end of the study. We found that the GlyNAC diet was beneficial for old male but not old female mice, leading to an increase of Ndufb8 expression (a …

A Β-Hydroxybutyrate Shunt Pathway Generates Anti-Obesity Ketone Metabolites, Maria Dolores Moya-Garzon, Mengjie Wang, Veronica L Li, Xuchao Lyu, Wei Wei, Alan Sheng-Hwa Tung, Steffen H Raun, Meng Zhao, Laetitia Coassolo, Hashim Islam, Barbara Oliveira, Yuqin Dai, Jan Spaas, Antonio Delgado-Gonzalez, Kenyi Donoso, Aurora Alvarez-Buylla, Francisco Franco-Montalban, Anudari Letian, Catherine P Ward, Lichao Liu, Katrin J Svensson, Emily L Goldberg, Christopher D Gardner, Jonathan P Little, Steven M Banik, Yong Xu, Jonathan Z Long

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

β-Hydroxybutyrate (BHB) is an abundant ketone body. To date, all known pathways of BHB metabolism involve the interconversion of BHB and primary energy intermediates. Here, we identify a previously undescribed BHB secondary metabolic pathway via CNDP2-dependent enzymatic conjugation of BHB and free amino acids. This BHB shunt pathway generates a family of anti-obesity ketone metabolites, the BHB-amino acids. Genetic ablation of CNDP2 in mice eliminates tissue amino acid BHB-ylation activity and reduces BHB-amino acid levels. The most abundant BHB-amino acid, BHB-Phe, is a ketosis-inducible congener of Lac-Phe that activates hypothalamic and brainstem neurons and suppresses feeding. Conversely, CNDP2-KO mice exhibit …

Dietary Program For The Reduction Of Type 2 Diabetes Prevalence In A South Texas Border Region, Siddiqua Noor

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Project Abstract

PURPOSE The purpose of this project was to create a culturally sensitive dietary program template to serve as a guide to offer healthier food alternatives to reduce the incidence of type 2 diabetes while not compromising on their Hispanic heritage.

BACKGROUND This project was implemented in a South Texas border community which has nearly twice the national average of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, which presents a significant public health challenge.

METHODOLOGY The project followed the Plan-Do-Study-Act cycle and incorporated the Health Belief Model. A dietary pamphlet featuring local culturally relevant food options was developed. The material was presented at two …

Household Food Expenditure Typology And Its Association With Child Stunting And Anemia In Indonesia, Ratu Ayu Dewi Sartika, Yusnita Yusnita, Winda M. Ningsih, Ririn Arminsih Wulandari, Siti A. Pujonarti, Fadila Wirawan

Kesmas

Stunting and anemia remain the coexisting nutritional problems among Indonesian children. However, evidence of household-level food expenditure and its association with child stunting and anemia is limited. This study aimed to observe the association between household food expenditure typology and child stunting and anemia in Indonesia. Data was obtained from the 2007 and 2014 Indonesia Family Life Survey (IFLS). The household food expenditure, child nutritional status, and anemia were observed in 2007 and 2014. Latent class analysis was taken to identify the food expenditure pattern. Binary logistic regression was applied to analyze the association between household food expenditure patterns and …

Protein Consumption And Risk Of Cvd Among Us Adults: The Multi-Ethnic Study Of Atherosclerosis (Mesa), Ji Yun Tark, Ruosha Li, Bing Yu, Alexis C Wood, Nikhil S Padhye, Marcia C De Oliveira Otto

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

BACKGROUND: Although some randomized trials have reported beneficial effects of protein intake on cardiometabolic risk factors, evidence from prospective studies have not supported a strong link between protein intake and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. It is also unclear whether diversity in protein intake plays a role in CVD risk.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated prospective associations of (1) protein intake, overall and by food source and (2) diversity of protein sources with risk of CVD, coronary heart disease (CHD), and stroke.

METHODS: In a multi-ethnic cohort of 5879 U.S. adults (45-84 years), who were free of CVD at baseline, protein intake was …

Diet Modification Reduces Pain And Improves Function In Adults With Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review, Karen Stanfar, Corey Hawes, Mina Ghajar, Laura Byham-Gray, Diane R. Radler

Health & Biomedical Sciences Faculty Publications

Background

The effect of dietary modifications on pain and joint function in adults with osteoarthritis (OA) is an emerging area of study. This systematic review aimed to evaluate if adults with OA who consume diets with a higher proportion of plant phenols and omega-3 fatty acids would have less pain and improved joint function than those with a higher proportion of saturated fatty acids, omega-6 fatty acids and refined carbohydrates.

Methods

Database searches of CINAHL (EBSCO), Clinical Trials (NIH-NLM), Cochrane Library (Wiley), Dissertation & Thesis Global (ProQuest), Embase (Elsevier), Medline (OVID), PubMed (NLM), Scopus (Elsevier), Web of Sciences (Clarivate) for …

Mediterranean Diet Information On Tiktok And Implications For Digital Health Promotion Research: Social Media Content Analysis, Margaret Raber, Haley Allen, Sophia Huang, Maria Vazquez, Echo Warner, Debbe Thompson

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

Background: The Mediterranean diet has been linked to reduced risk for several cardiometabolic diseases. The lack of a clear definition of the Mediterranean diet in the scientific literature and the documented proliferation of nutrition misinformation on the internet suggest the potential for confusion among consumers seeking web-based Mediterranean diet information.

Objective: We conducted a social media content analysis of information about the Mediterranean diet on the influential social media platform, TikTok, to examine public discourse about the diet and identify potential areas of misinformation. We then analyzed these findings in the context of health promotion to identify potential challenges and …

Nature Of The Evidence Base And Approaches To Guide Nutrition Interventions For Individuals: A Position Paper From The Academy Of Nutrition Sciences, Mary Hickson, Constantina Papoutsakis, Angela M Madden, Mary Anne Smith, Kevin Whelan

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

This Position Paper from the Academy of Nutrition Sciences is the third in a series which describe the nature of the scientific evidence and frameworks that underpin nutrition recommendations for health. This paper focuses on evidence which guides the application of dietary recommendations for individuals. In some situations, modified nutrient intake becomes essential to prevent deficiency, optimise development and health, or manage symptoms and disease progression. Disease and its treatment can also affect taste, appetite and ability to access and prepare foods, with associated financial impacts. Therefore, the practice of nutrition and dietetics must integrate and apply the sciences of …

Relationship Between Gut Microbiota And Dementia, Saad Ahmed, Zack Harris, Russell David Levi

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

This paper explores the complex relationship between gut microbiota, dietary habits, and dementia, focusing particularly on Alzheimer's disease (AD). Growing evidence suggests a significant link between the composition of gut bacteria, dietary choices, and susceptibility to dementia. Notably, individuals with dementia demonstrate a noticeable reduction in gut bacteria diversity, highlighting the crucial role of a balanced microbiome in maintaining cognitive health. Conversely, dietary preferences characterized by excessive consumption of processed foods and sugars are associated with an increased risk of dementia, emphasizing the critical influence of diet on shaping gut microbiota and subsequent neurocognitive outcomes. Importantly, dietary interventions featuring a …

Impact Of Sustained Calorie Restriction And Weight Cycling On Body Composition In High-Fat Diet-Fed Male And Female C57bl/6j Mice, Daniel L Smith, Yongbin Yang, Luis M Mestre, Beate Henschel, Erik Parker, Stephanie Dickinson, Amit Patki, David B Allison, Tim R Nagy

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate body composition changes with weight cycling (WC) among adult C57BL/6J mice with diet-induced obesity.

Methods: A total of 555 single-housed mice were fed a high-fat diet ad libitum (AL) from 8 to 43 weeks of age. The 200 heaviest mice of each sex were randomized to the following four groups: ever obese (EO, continued AL feeding); obese weight loser (OWL, calorie-restricted); obese weight loser moderate (OWLM, body weight halfway between EO and OWL); and WC (diet restricted to OWL followed by AL refeeding cycles). Body weight and composition data were collected. …

Fueling Performance: Tailored Nutrition Strategies For Female Athletes, Capri Pezzella

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This project aims to explore the unique nutritional considerations for female athletes, with a focus on optimizing performance and addressing specific physiological needs. Through comprehensive research, the project will identify strategies for optimizing iron intake to prevent anemia, managing calcium and vitamin D for bone health, and addressing menstrual cycle-related changes in energy expenditure and nutrient needs. Practical recommendations will be made to help female athletes maximize their potential and support their overall health.

Design, Protocol And Baseline Data Of Nurturing Healthy Teachers, A Cluster Non-Randomized Controlled Trial To Improve The Health, Well-Being, And Food Security Of Preschool And Elementary School Teachers In Houston, Texas, Shreela V Sharma, Mackenzie Senn, Angela Zieba, Miao Tang, Ru-Jye Chuang, Courtney Byrd-Williams, Mike Pomeroy, Azar Gaminian, Jill Cox, Katherine French, Nalini Ranjit

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: We present the conceptual framework, design, and study measures of Nurturing Healthy Teachers, a quasi-experimental study to examine the short- and long-term effectiveness of the Nurturing Healthy Teachers (NHT) nutrition intervention on food insecurity, dietary behaviors, mental health and cardiometabolic health among preschool and elementary school teachers.

METHODS: A convenience sample of 28 elementary schools with pre-kindergarten and elementary classrooms were recruited in Houston, Texas. Nurturing Healthy Teacher intervention includes Brighter Bites, an evidence-based coordinated school health program that combines access to fresh produce and nutrition education, and Create Healthy Futures, a web-based nutrition education program that targets nutrition …

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

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

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 …

Pilot Implementation Of A Nutrition-Focused Community-Health-Worker Intervention Among Formerly Chronically Homeless Adults In Permanent Supportive Housing, Jane E Hamilton, Diana C Guevara, Sara F Steinfeld, Raina Jose, Farrah Hmaidan, Sarah Simmons, Calvin W Wong, Clara Smith, Eva Thibaudeau-Graczyk, Shreela V Sharma

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Food insecurity is a known health equity threat for formerly chronically homeless populations even after they transition into permanent housing. This project utilized a human-centered design methodology to plan and implement a nutrition-focused community-health-worker (CHW) intervention in permanent supportive housing (PSH). The project aimed to increase access to healthy foods, improve nutritional literacy, healthy cooking/eating practices, and build community/social connectedness among 140 PSH residents. Validated food-security screening conducted by CHWs identified low or very low food security among 64% of 83 residents who completed the baseline survey, which is similar to rates found in a previous study among formerly homeless …