Nutrition Commons^™

Profound And Redundant Functions Of Arcuate Neurons In Obesity Development, Canjun Zhu, Zhiying Jiang, Yuanzhong Xu, Zhao-Lin Cai, Qingyan Jiang, Yong Xu, Mingshan Xue, Benjamin R Arenkiel, Qi Wu, Gang Shu, Qingchun Tong

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

The current obesity epidemic faces a lack of mechanistic insights. It is known that the acute activity changes of a growing number of brain neurons rapidly alter feeding behaviour; however, how these changes translate to obesity development and the fundamental mechanism underlying brain neurons in controlling body weight remain elusive. Here, we show that chronic activation of hypothalamic arcuate GABAergic (GABA

Paraventricular Hypothalamus Mediates Diurnal Rhythm Of Metabolism, Eun Ran Kim, Yuanzhong Xu, Ryan M Cassidy, Yungang Lu, Yongjie Yang, Jinbin Tian, De-Pei Li, Rachel Van Drunen, Aleix Ribas-Latre, Zhao-Lin Cai, Mingshan Xue, Benjamin R Arenkiel, Kristin Eckel-Mahan, Yong Xu, Qingchun Tong

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

Defective rhythmic metabolism is associated with high-fat high-caloric diet (HFD) feeding, ageing and obesity; however, the neural basis underlying HFD effects on diurnal metabolism remains elusive. Here we show that deletion of BMAL1, a core clock gene, in paraventricular hypothalamic (PVH) neurons reduces diurnal rhythmicity in metabolism, causes obesity and diminishes PVH neuron activation in response to fast-refeeding. Animal models mimicking deficiency in PVH neuron responsiveness, achieved through clamping PVH neuron activity at high or low levels, both show obesity and reduced diurnal rhythmicity in metabolism. Interestingly, the PVH exhibits BMAL1-controlled rhythmic expression of GABA-A receptor γ2 subunit, and dampening …

Disrupted Hypothalamic Crh Neuron Responsiveness Contributes To Diet-Induced Obesity, Canjun Zhu, Yuanzhong Xu, Zhiying Jiang, Jin Bin Tian, Ryan M Cassidy, Zhao-Lin Cai, Gang Shu, Yong Xu, Mingshan Xue, Benjamin R Arenkiel, Qingyan Jiang, Qingchun Tong

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

The current obesity epidemic mainly results from high-fat high-caloric diet (HFD) feeding and may also be contributed by chronic stress; however, the neural basis underlying stress-related diet-induced obesity remains unknown. Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) neurons in the paraventricular hypothalamus (PVH), a known body weight-regulating region, represent one key group of stress-responsive neurons. Here, we found that HFD feeding blunted PVH CRH neuron response to nutritional challenges as well as stress stimuli and dexamethesone, which normally produce rapid activation and inhibition on these neurons, respectively. We generated mouse models with the activity of these neurons clamped at high or low levels, both …

Nutrition For New Mothers: Healthy Defaults For A Healthier You, Stephanie Williams

All Student-Created Educational Resources

This pamphlet informs the audience about how to make healthier choices by utilizing healthy defaults. Tips will be discussed throughout the pamphlet on reducing your risk for obesity and other chronic diseases, postpartum healthy defaults, and breastfeeding for new mothers.

Metabolic Benefits Of Plant-Based N-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids On Brown Thermogenesis, Kyung Ho Park

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

There are two essential fatty acids for humans, a-linolenic acid (ALA) and linoleic acid (LA), which should be taken from foods to maintain health. Once incorporated into cells, ALA and LA, which are omega-3 poly unsaturated fatty acid (n-3 PUFA) and n-6 PUFA respectively, undergo elongation and desaturation to generate longer and more unsaturated fatty acids influencing inflammation and immunological responses. Numerous studies showed a dietary reduction of n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio improves cardiovascular health, inflammation, and insulin resistance. Fish oil, the main resource for n-3 PUFA, is shown to increase these health benefits. In our lab, we investigated the efficacy …

Baseline Health Assessment Of A Rural Delta Community, Sydney Mitchell

Honors Theses

The Lower Mississippi Delta is characterized by poverty, chronic health issues, health disparities, and food insecurity. The rural Delta communities are primarily African American, experiencing disproportionately higher rates of poverty, job loss, and chronic health problems. Historically, chronic health issues have persisted in these areas over time, including obesity, hypertension, and diabetes, which have only seemed to increase in this region. The food environment in this rural region tends to assist in the creation of the largely obesogenic population which, in turn, contributes to the increased prevalence of diabetes and hypertension and a lower quality of life. Many residents in …

Nutritional Supplementation And Skeletal Muscle Health In Chronic Diseases, Hexirui Wu

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Prevalence of chronic diseases in the United States keeps increasing in recent years. There are approximately four in ten adults having chronic diseases in America. Chronic diseases include obesity, aging, heart diseases, cancer and many others. This thesis mainly focuses on obesity and aging. Skeletal muscle performance is impaired in obesity and aging conditions. One common reason causing this could be higher fat mass and lower muscle mass. However, there is no study showing what pathways are involved in the imbalance of body composition. Therefore, the first objective of the thesis is to determine gene expression of selected pathways in …

The Effect Of Breakfast Macronutrient Composition In Children Ages 7-17 Years Old As A Potential Method To Combat Childhood Obesity, Angela M. Tacinelli

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity is an ongoing concern. Currently, approximately 20% of children in the United States are obese. While obesity was once regarded merely as excessive adiposity within the body, it is has emerged as a major risk factor for chronic diseases such as metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Obesity is multifactorial in nature. Weight gain can result from an energy imbalance in the body due to excess energy intake (calories in) and decreased energy expenditure (calories out). Identifying methods to combat obesity is essential. Nutritional intervention may be a strategy to help …

Leptin’S Role In The Obesity Epidemic, Alyssa C. Washeleski

Honors College Theses

Weight loss methods have been around for decades, but yet, individuals still can’t lose weight or keep it off. Researchers have pondered if there is more to being incapable of losing body fat than individuals having a lack of willpower. While the environment plays a critical role in weight regulation, genetics may be just as important.

Research has discovered a hormone called leptin that controls energy expenditure and satiety. Leptin plays a part in many physiological roles, including appetite control, sexual function, immunity, insulin sensitivity, and the metabolism of lipid and bone. Studies done with mice and humans have concluded …

Effects Of Acute Dietary Polyphenols And Post-Meal Physical Activity On Postprandial Metabolism In Adults With Features Of The Metabolic Syndrome, Dustin W. Davis, James W. Navalta, Graham R. Mcginnis, Reimund Serafica, Kenneth Izuora, Arpita Basu

Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences Faculty Research

Approximately 22% of U.S. adults and 25% of adults globally have metabolic syndrome (MetS). Key features, such as dysglycemia and dyslipidemia, predict type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, premature disability, and death. Acute supplementation of dietary polyphenols and post-meal physical activity hold promise in improving postprandial dysmetabolism. To our knowledge, no published review has described the effects of either intervention on postprandial glucose, insulin, lipids, and markers of oxidative damage and inflammation in adults with features of MetS. Thus, we conducted this review of controlled clinical trials that provided dietary polyphenols from oils, fruits, teas, and legumes during a dietary challenge, …

The Effects Of Skeletal Muscle Specific Cpt1b Knock Out On Genetically Obese Ay Mice, Allison Stone

LSU Master's Theses

Fatty acid oxidation inhibition is one approach to reducing blood glucose levels in type II diabetes. Skeletal muscle specific Carnitine Palmitoyltransferase 1b knockout mice (Cpt1b^m-/-) cannot transport long-chain fatty acids into the mitochondria to be oxidized in order to produce energy. Cpt1b^m-/- mice have debilitated fat oxidation, less fat mass and improved glucose utilization compared to control C57BL/6 mice fed a 25% fat diet.

We hypothesized that CPT1b inhibition could reduce fat mass and lower blood glucose levels in a genetic mouse model of obesity and diabetes. To test this, we bred Cpt1b^m-/- mice to A …

The Effects Of Nutrition Claims On Consumer Purchasing Of Snacks In White Collar And Blue Collar Working Environments, Cecily Rose Martinez

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this experimental study was to determine if signage of nutrition claims increased the purchasing of snacks in white collar and blue collar working environments. Additionally, the study also observed if the nutrition claims were more effective in one working class over the other. The prevalence of obesity in employed adults has significantly increased in the last decade. Dietary patterns, including snacking habits, have been found to play a significant role in the decline of working adults’ health. The percentage change formula was utilized as the statistical analysis for this study. This analysis evaluated the changes in the …

Can The Fut 2 Gene Variant Have An Effect On The Body Weight Of Patients Undergoing Bariatric Surgery? - Preliminary, Exploratory Study, Natalia Komorniak, Alexandra Martynova-Van Kley, Armen Nalian, Wiktoria Wardziukiewicz, Karolina Skoniecznaa-Zydecka, Daniel Styburski, Joanna Palma, Bartosz Kowalewski, Krzysztof Kaseja, Ewa Stachowska

Faculty Publications

Background: The FUT2 gene (Se gene) encoding the enzyme α-1,2-L-fucosyltransferase 2 seems to have a significant effect on the number and type of bacteria colonizing the intestines. Methods: In a group of 19 patients after bariatric surgery, the polymorphism (rs601338) of FUT2 gene was analyzed in combination with body mass reduction, intestinal microbiome (16S RNA sequencing), and short chain fatty acids (SCFA) measurements in stools. Results: Among the secretors (Se/Se polymorphism of the FUT2 gene rs601338, carriers of GG variant), correlations between waist-hip ratio (WHR) and propionate content and an increase in Prevotella, Escherichia, Shigella, and Bacteroides were observed. On …

Benefits Of Intermittent Fasting: A Systematic Review Of Randomized Clinical Trials, Kavisha N. Abeyasekera

Physician Assistant Studies | Student Authored Articles

Background: Daily calorie restriction regimens are still the most common diet strategies implemented for weight loss. ^[2,3] In the recent years, intermittent fasting (IMF) has gained popularity among some of the easier diets to follow.^[4]

Objective: The objective of this study is to use the available data on short- and long-term effects of intermittent fasting, either by time restricted feeding or alternate day fasting and help healthcare providers decide on which patients should be recommended IMF as a dietary option.

Study design: Searched Google Scholar, CINAHL, PubMed and Cochrane databases for evidence-based literature on intermittent fasting. Included studies: …

Nutrition Abcs For Healthy Families, Lauren K. Sullivan

All Student-Created Educational Resources

This pamphlet informs the audience of basic nutrition principles for maintaining a healthy weight using healthy diet patterns and increased activity recommendations. It encourages healthful eating, regular activity and utilizing resources as a part of a healthy family lifestyle

Ampk In The Ventromedial Nucleus Of The Hypothalamus: A Key Regulator For Thermogenesis, Hailan Liu, Yong Xu, Fang Hu

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

Obesity has become a global health issue, but effective therapies remain very limited. Adaptive thermogenesis promotes weight loss by dissipating energy in the form of heat, thereby representing a promising target to counteract obesity. Notably, the regulation of thermogenesis is tightly orchestrated by complex neuronal networks, especially those in the hypothalamus. Recent evidence highlights the importance of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) within the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus (VMH) in modulating thermogenesis. Various molecules, such as GLP-1, leptin, estradiol, and thyroid hormones, have been reported to act on the VMH to inhibit AMPK, which subsequently increases thermogenesis through the …

Changing Weight Management Self-Efficacy Among Obese Puerto Rican Adults: A Quantitative Study Using A Health Coaching Intervention, Richard Valentin Ayala, Josh Bernstein

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Obesity and associated healthcare-related issues continue to increase. The prevalence of obesity is on the rise, which has led many health professionals to find ways to improve health interventions. Health coaching can be a viable tool to reduce the obesity epidemic. The purpose of this quantitative study was to investigate the effects of an 8-weekhealth coaching intervention in obese individuals from Puerto Rico and to determine if self-esteem and body image influence weight managementself-efficacy. Method: A pretest-posttest design using a weight management self-efficacy scale helped the researcher evaluate the effectof the coaching sessions. In addition, body image …

Healthy Choices: The Building Blocks Of A Healthy Lifestyle (An Educational Handout), University Of New England Applied Nutrition Program

All Student-Created Educational Resources

This educational handout provides guidance for healthy weight management through lifestyle interventions including healthy eating, exercise and familial involvement.

Overweight And Obesity Status With Dental Caries Among Children Aged 7–12 Years Old In Badung District, Bali 2018, Hariani Rafitha, Putri Bungsu Machmud, Ratna Djuwita, Dwi Gayatri, Fakhrana Ariani Ayub

Kesmas

Dental caries is an infectious disease that Dental is characterized by the dental damage resulting from microorganism products in carbohydrate fermentation. Dental caries and obesity in children are multifactorial diseases associated with eating habits and certain lifestyle factors. This study aimed to assess the association between overweightness, obesity, and dental caries among children aged 7–12 years in Badung district, Bali province in 2018. The total sample of 426 children and their mothers were recruited from all first to fifth elementary grade students in three schools selected by simple random sampling. The logistic regression analysis has demonstrated a significant association between …

Diet Quality And Micronutrient Intake In Long-Term Weight Loss Maintainers, Rebecca W. Pascual

Master's Theses

Objective: This study’s purpose was to examine dietary quality, macronutrient intake, and micronutrient adequacy among long term weight loss maintainers (WLM) in a commercial weight management program.

Methods: Participants were 1,207 WLM in WW (formerly Weight Watchers) who had maintained a 9.1 kg or greater weight loss (29.7 kg on average) for 3.4 years, and had an average BMI of 28.3 kg/m². A control group of weight stable adults with obesity (Controls; N=102) had a BMI of 41.1 kg/m² and 2.3 kg or less weight change over the previous five years.

Results: WLM vs. …

Food Consumption Patterns And Body Composition In Children: Moderating Effects Of Prop Taster Status, Lee Stoner, Nicholas Castro, Anna Kucharska-Newton, Abbie E. Smith-Ryan, Sally Lark, Michelle A. Williams, James Faulkner, Paula Skidmore

Faculty Publications

This cross-sectional study determined whether 6-n-propylthiouracil (PROP) taster status moderates the relationship between food consumption patterns and body composition in children. Children were recruited (n = 342, 50% female, 8–10 y) from across New Zealand. Using a food frequency questionnaire, these food consumption patterns were derived: Processed Foods, Fruit and Vegetables, and Breakfast Foods. Body composition variables included: body fat (%), fat mass (kg), fat mass index (FMI, kg/m²), body mass index (kg/m²) and waist to height ratio (W:Ht). Following adjustment for confounders, Processed Foods were positively associated with %fat (p = 0.015), fat mass (p …

The Risk Of Hypertension In Adulthood As A Consequence Of Adolescent Obesity, Demsa Simbolon, Epti Yorita, Ruzita Abd Talib

Kesmas

Population increase in adolescence are associated with increased overweight and obesity problems. If this problem not early intervention will have an impact on increasing hypertension prevalence and risk of death. This research aimed to explain the consequences of overweight and obesity in adolescent to hypertension in adults. The study used Indonesian Family Life Survey (IFLS) data with a retrospective cohort study. Adolescent BMI measurements on 2007 and the risk of hypertension on 2014. Population are all adolescents aged 10-20 years in 2007. Sample of 1,697 adolescent who randomly IFLS 2007 with the inclusion criteria: biological children and a single birth, …

Obesity In Adolescents (Handout), Kathy Palys

All Student-Created Educational Resources

The handout briefly discusses obesity in the adolescents. It covers possible causes, risk factors, and some simple solutions.

Five Tips For Choosing Healthy Foods For Teens (A Handout), Mallory Lavoie

All Student-Created Educational Resources

This handout depicts five ways that teens can make healthier food choices.

Teen Obesity: Tips To Take Control Of Your Diet And Make A Difference Every Day, Zachary York

All Student-Created Educational Resources

This handout provides an overview of obesity and includes tips designed to motivate and assist teenagers toward making healthy choices to support overall health and well-being. Topics range from identifying nutritious foods, knowing when to eat, how to become more physically active, and having fun with food. The goal of the handout is to provide accessible and easy to understand information to empower overweight adolescents to make important connections eating well, exercising, and how they look and feel on a day-to-day basis.

Obesity As Type 2 Diabetes Common Comorbidity: Study Of Type 2 Diabetes Patients’ Eating Behaviour And Other Determinants In Jakarta, Indonesia, Isna Aulia Fajarini, Ratu Ayu Dewi Sartika

Kesmas

Obesity is one of the comorbidities widely occurred among type 2 diabetes patients. It is one of the most modifiable risk factors for the prevention of other comorbid conditions such as diabetic nephropathy and cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to recognize eating behaviour, physical activity, and other related factors, also their correlation with obesity as comorbidity among type 2 diabetes patients. Using cross-sectional design, data were collected from purposively selected 133 members of “PROLANIS” in Jatinegara Primary Health Care, East Jakarta. Food intake was assessed by 1x24 hours food recall and FFQ, physical activity by GPAQ. The …

Risk Factor Analysis Of Overnutrition Among Elementary School Children In Pekanbaru: An Urban-Rural Perspective, Arfianti Arfianti

Kesmas

The prevalence of childhood overnutrition is increasing in many parts of the world including Indonesia. National basic health research (RISKESDAS) 2010 showed that over-nutrition in urban children (10.4%) was greater than in rural areas (8.1%). The purpose of this study was to analyse risk factors for overnutrition on elementary students in urban and rural areas in Pekanbaru. This was an observasional analytical study with cross-sectional design. This study involved 137 urban and 113 rural students from six elementary schools in Pekanbaru recruited by quota sampling technique. This study was conducted between April-May 2018. The results showed that the proportions of …

Associations Of Adiposity And Diet Quality With Serum Ceramides In Middle-Aged Adults With Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Margaret A. Drazba, Ida Holaskova, Nadine R. Sahyoun, Melissa Ventura Marra

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

Rates of adverse cardiovascular events have increased among middle-aged adults. Elevated ceramides have been proposed as a risk factor for cardiovascular events. Diet quality and weight status are inversely associated with several traditional risk factors; however, the relationship to ceramides is less clear. This study aimed to determine associations of adiposity and diet quality with circulating ceramides in middle-aged adults (n = 96). Diet quality was estimated using the Healthy Eating Index 2015 (HEI-2015). Serum ceramide concentrations were determined by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry. A ceramide risk score was determined based on ceramides C16:0, C18:0, and C24:1 and their ratios to …

Rising Rural Body-Mass Index Is The Main Driver Of The Global Obesity Epidemic In Adults, Con Burns, Tara Coppinger, Janette Walton, Et Al

Publications

Body-mass index (BMI) has increased steadily in most countries in parallel with a rise in the proportion of the population who live in cities1,2. This has led to a widely reported view that urbanization is one of the most important drivers of the global rise in obesity3,4,5,6. Here we use 2,009 population-based studies, with measurements of height and weight in more than 112 million adults, to report national, regional and global trends in mean BMI segregated by place of residence (a rural or urban area) from 1985 to …

Effects Of Eat Better, Move More (Ebmm) Educational Program On Obesity Rates In Latino Children Residing In Northwest Arkansas, Allison Jones

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Background: Childhood obesity, especially in ethnic minority populations, is a growing problem with no signs of improvement over the past decade. The Latino population is one of the fastest growing minority groups in the United States. Unfortunately, they have experienced substantial health disparities and socioeconomic disadvantages that contribute to the high rates of obesity in their youth. Decreasing obesity rates would not only have many health advantages, but also financial benefits as well. It would reduce the risk of co-morbidities such as cardiovascular disease and depression. Healthy children are more likely to grow into healthy adults, ultimately lowering the cost …