Nutrition Commons^™

Mechanisms Of Placental Impairment And The Upregulation Of Fetuin-B During Maternal Undernourishment, Mia Camilliere

NYMC Student Theses and Dissertations

Proper nutrition is crucial during pregnancy to support fetal and placental development. Failure to meet these nutritional needs can result in adverse health outcomes for both mother and baby. Despite its high prevalence in underdeveloped countries, maternal undernourishment is a public health issue worldwide. There are several possible causes of maternal undernourishment, and these can occur alone or in combination, such as poor access to nutrition, hyperemesis gravidarum, and drug use. This condition can adversely affect placental development and function to the extent of placental insufficiency, perturbing the entire pregnancy. The placenta is responsible not only for hormonally and physically …

The Impact Of Narratives And Active Video Games Among Black And Hispanic Children With Overweight And Obesity: A Randomized Controlled Trial, Amy S Lu, Tom Baranowski, Tiago V Barreira, Amy Fleischman, Melanie C Green, Shirley Y Huang, I-Min Lee, Lynne L Levitsky, Farzad Noubary, Debbe Thompson

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

Background: Overweight and obesity disproportionately affect Black and Hispanic children who also play more video games. Narratives, coupled with home-based active video games (AVGs), may enhance PA and mitigate these disparities. This study tested the effect of narrative-enhanced home-based AVGs among predominantly Black and Hispanic children with overweight and obesity.

Methods: This 6-month three-group RCT recruited 135 children aged 7-14 from pediatric clinics in Boston, MA (January 2020 - May 2022) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants were randomized into: [Narrative + AVG], receiving an Xbox/Kinect with six AVGs interspersed with a narrative animation Ataraxia (72 episodes over six months), which …

“Non-Markovian” And “Directional” Errors Inhibit Scientific Self-Correction And Can Lead Fields Of Study Astray: An Illustration Using Gardening And Obesity-Related Outcomes, Jon Agley, Sarah E Deemer, David B Allison

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

Herein we coin the terms non-Markovian error and biased Markovian error to describe categories of scientific errors for which general progress within a field of study may be unlikely to result in scientific self-correction. We provide examples of such errors and show their impact on studies about gardening and obesity.

Multicomponent Parenteral Lipid Emulsions Do Not Prevent Liver Injury In Neonatal Pigs With Obstructive Cholestasis, Greg Guthrie, Caitlin Vonderohe, Valeria Meléndez Hebib, Barbara Stoll, Douglas Burrin

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

Biliary atresia (BA) is a pediatric liver disease that often necessitates parenteral nutrition (PN) to support growth due to impaired liver function. While soy-based lipid emulsions (SLE) are commonly used in PN, they may contribute to cholestatic liver injury. In contrast, mixed lipid emulsions (MLE) show promise in preventing cholestasis in infants without BA, potentially by restoring bile flow. However, their effectiveness in patients of complete bile duct obstruction, as seen in BA, remains uncertain. To explore the potential benefits of MLE in BA, we utilized a neonatal pig model of bile duct ligation (BDL). Pigs underwent either BDL or …

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. …

Renal Patients’ Perception Of Self-Efficacy Through Rapport And Trust With Registered Dietitians, Michelle Denise Broussard

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

End stage renal disease requires dietary education and behavior modifications to manage the condition. The purpose of this quantitative study was to investigate the role of rapport and trust between the patients and registered dietitians and its impact on self-efficacy. The study was implemented over 12 weeks in multi-site dialysis units in urban Georgia. The health belief model was used as the framework to explain the participants’ desire toward self-efficacy. Data were obtained for the 14-item Health Care Relationship Trust scale and the self-efficacy scales and analyzed using multiple linear regression. A convenience sample of 125 patients between the ages …

Global Dna Methylation Differences Involving Germline Structural Variation Impact Gene Expression In Pediatric Brain Tumors, Fengju Chen, Yiqun Zhang, Wei Li, Fritz J Sedlazeck, Lanlan Shen, Chad J Creighton

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

The extent of genetic variation and its influence on gene expression across multiple tissue and cellular contexts is still being characterized, with germline Structural Variants (SVs) being historically understudied. DNA methylation also represents a component of normal germline variation across individuals. Here, we combine germline SVs (by short-read sequencing) with tumor DNA methylation across 1292 pediatric brain tumor patients. For thousands of methylation probes for CpG Islands (CGIs) or enhancers, rare and common SV breakpoints upstream or downstream associate with differential methylation in tumors spanning various histologic types, a significant subset involving genes with SV-associated differential expression. Cancer predisposition genes …

Kid Eats App: Supporting Parents And Children Cooking Together, Amy S. Muise, Gabrielle A. Longo, Pamela N. Martinez, Umekia R. Taylor, Linda E. Torv, Barbara A. Chamberlin

Journal of Extension

Kid Eats is a free app for iPad encouraging children and parents to cook together at home using fruits and vegetables. A preliminary study with parents and children showed children enjoyed using the app and that it provided useful information to support children’s involvement in the kitchen, including guidance around safety concerns. Every family in the study voluntarily completed at least one of the recipes with their child at least once following the in-person activity. Parents reported that their children actively asked to cook the recipes from the app and felt the app helped increase their time spent cooking with …

Evaluation Of Broiler Performance And Processing Metrics Through Sodium Bisulfate Application To Litter And Varying Inclusions In Feed, Samantha Suzanne Plocher

Theses and Dissertations

Poultry producers must continuously evaluate current practices and determine new ones to further optimize broiler production. Sodium bisulfate (SB) is used as a poultry litter amendment (SBL), but also in human food to control pH; thus, initiating interest for SB in feed (SBF) for performance and gut health benefits. This thesis utilized common diets varying in SBF (Chapters II and III) and SBL (Chapter II; SBL1- d 0 and SBL2 – d 0 and 18) to optimize 40 d broiler performance, litter quality, and d 41 processing metrics. For Chapter II, d 0 SBL1 dramatically lowered litter pH, while minimally …

Evaluating The Efficacy Of Functional Feed Additives In Broilers With Or Without A Live Coccidiosis Vaccine Challenge, Dalton Gerard Dennehy

Theses and Dissertations

Functional feed additives, such as probiotics, prebiotics, and phytogenics, have seen increased usage in commercial poultry production due to their ability to improve growth performance, meat yield, and overall health status. Therefore, the objective of this research was to evaluate the efficacy of functional feed additives in broilers with or without an enteric challenge induced via a live coccidiosis vaccine (LCV). In the first study (Chapter II), broilers were raised on used litter without an LCV challenge and fed varying levels of a multi-strain Bacillus-based probiotic in the starter phase (1x or 2x dose). Reduced performance was observed in early …

Reaching Tomorrow’S Extension Customer: A Food And Health Needs Assessment, Morgan Szczepaniak, Sarah L. Francis, Ruth Litchfield, Ulrike Genschel, Shannon Coleman, Anirudh Naig

Journal of Extension

The food and health needs and preferences of Iowans (n=452) were examined. The leading food and health information sources were online platforms, social media, and print media. Program topics with high participation likelihood were cooking, food preservation, food safety, and gardening. Short, low-cost, online programs were preferred. Extension use was more likely among those who identified as persons of color, Hispanic/Latino, or were food insecure (p < 0.030). Those with less education and chronic disease were less likely to be interested in Extension programming (p < 0.040). These results provide valuable information regarding future directions for Extension programming.

Emerging Adult Gamers: Nutritional Insights On Dietary Intake, Physical Well-Being, And Occupational Performance, Justine Dualan Tuason

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This study aimed to gather insights from Emerging Adult (EA) gamers (between 18 and 24) regarding their nutritional literacy, dietary patterns, and its potential impacts on their occupational performance and physical well-being. There is a need to gather gamers' perspectives to identify the specific facilitators and barriers regarding their ability to discern appropriate dietary choices, as it provides more information regarding preventative and client-centered measures for future healthcare professionals. Occupational Therapists (OTs) are uniquely equipped to address this population's needs, as the profession's holistic principles allow for a well-rounded and sustainable approach. Additionally, growing emphasis is placed on preventative rather …

Chronic Inflammation: The Link Between A High Added Sugar Diet And Disease, Anna Collins

Senior Honors Theses

The modern diet includes many processed foods that contain added sugars, resulting in a significant increase in daily glucose and fructose consumption. Considering this, there is an increased effort to uncover the effects of excess sugar intake on the body’s health and metabolism. Strong evidence supports the connection between a high added sugar diet and the presence of chronic, low-grade inflammation due to cellular distress and metabolic dysfunction. Prolonged inflammatory responses are linked to tissue damage and the development of various metabolic diseases that are prevalent in modern society, such as obesity, fatty liver disease, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 …

Reds Risk In Physically Active Females And Inflammation: Is There A Correlation?, Julia Galindo Sebe

Theses - ALL

Background: Low Energy Availability (LEA) is a key factor in the Female Athlete Triad and Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs), affecting performance, metabolism, and inflammation. Uric acid (UA), a byproduct of purine metabolism, has been proposed as a potential inflammatory marker. We hypothesize that EA will be inversely correlated with inflammation and that collegiate athletes will exhibit lower EA compared to recreational athletes. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 51 physically active female college students (18–24 years), including 28 collegiate athletes. LEA risk was assessed using the Low Energy Availability in Females Questionnaire (LEAF-Q), while energy availability (EA) …

Schistosoma Haematobium Infection In Ethiopian Children: Evaluating Praziquantel Efficacy, Nutritional Effects, And Diagnosis Using Flukecatcher, Louis Fok

Theses & Dissertations

Urogenital schistosomiasis continues to impact the wellbeing of hundreds of millions of people worldwide and remains a significant public health challenge across Ethiopia. Despite existing knowledge on the disease, there remain significant unanswered questions with regard to its treatment and diagnosis. This dissertation evaluated the efficacy of praziquantel at treating urogenital schistosomiasis, improving nutritional parameters among children and the performance of FlukeCatcher at detecting and determining the intensity of infection. In effecting this, a total of 977 children aged 5 through 15 from the Afar and Gambella regions of Ethiopia were screened for S. haematobium infection using urine filtration microscopy …

Relationship Between Maternal Plasma Retinol And Provitamin A Carotenoids With Fetal And Infant Kidney Development, Anum Akbar

Theses & Dissertations

Vitamin A plays a critical role in fetal organ development. Studies suggest that maternal vitamin A deficiency affects fetal nephron numbers, potentially leading to smaller kidney sizes and an increased risk of chronic kidney disease later in life. However, human studies exploring maternal vitamin A's impact on fetal kidney development lack longitudinal data and within-cohort comparisons. Furthermore, the influence of provitamin A carotenoids (α-carotene, β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin) on kidney size remains unexplored. This dissertation addresses these gaps by analyzing relationships between maternal and cord plasma retinol and provitamin A carotenoid concentrations with fetal and infant kidney sizes. Our prospective cohort …

The Impact Of The Mediterranean Diet On Depression: A Narrative Review, Emma Kate Schaaf

Honors Theses

Background. The Western diet has extensive negative ramifications on physical health and emotional well-being. The Mediterranean diet, widely regarded as one of the healthiest eating patterns in the world, may have the ability to improve psychological conditions. This study aims to examine existing research from randomized control trials (RCTs) on the association between depression prevalence and the Mediterranean diet.

Methods. The following review was conducted using PRISMA guidelines and the Google Scholar and PsycInfo databases. The criteria for inclusion were that studies: 1) were randomized control trials (RCTs) examining the Mediterranean diet; 2) included samples of adults (i.e., > 18 years …

A Qualitative Evaluation Of Diabetes Solutions Telehealth Coaching Services, Caroline Brock

Honors Theses

Diabetes remains a growing public health concern, particularly in underserved regions such as rural Mississippi, where barriers to healthcare access and diabetes education contribute to poor disease management. This qualitative study explores the lived experiences of 27 participants enrolled in Diabetes Solutions, a telehealth-based diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES/T) program offered by the Mississippi Diabetes Network. Using a phenomenological approach and structured interviews, the study identifies four major themes: structural benefits of the program, knowledge gained, common changes by participants, and quality of life outcomes. Participants consistently emphasized the value of personalized coaching, emotional encouragement, and practical education on …

Client-Centered Food Distribution: An Analysis Of Patron Preferences At The Oxford Food Pantry, Ella Mann

Honors Theses

Food insecurity has long penetrated the rural South. This limits access to nutritious foods like fresh produce and contributes to chronic health conditions that may arise. Food pantries serve as a vital resource in addressing these disparities by providing free food to families in need. Many of these pantries incorporate strategies to increase consumption of nutrient dense options such as fruits as vegetables. These strategies can vary but the client choice model has proven to align with the self determination theory and promote greater autonomy in food selection. This study aimed to assess the food preferences of patrons at the …

Protocol For A Randomized Controlled Trial To Determine If Biomarkers Predict Response To A Pediatric Chronic Pain Symptom Management Program, Rona L Levy, Tasha B Murphy, Margaret M Heitkemper, Miranda A L Van Tilburg, Ann R Mcmeans, Jocelyn Chang, Cynthia Boutte, Katherine Lamparyk, Bruno P Chumpitazi, Robert J Shulman

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

Background/Objectives: Disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBI), characterized by chronic abdominal pain and significant disability, affect 15-20% of children and adults and continue into adulthood in ~60% of cases. Costs for adults reach USD 30 billion per year, yet effective management strategies are elusive. Studies support using cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), but abdominal pain only improves in ~40% of patients. Dietary management (low FODMAP diet; LFD) has also shown promise but it is effective in only a similar percentage of patients. Studies suggest that biologic factors (biomarkers) contribute to CBT response. Similarly, gut microbiome composition appears to influence abdominal pain …

The Interaction Between Physical Activity And Fruit And Vegetable Intake On Body Composition, Om S. Ghetia

Honors Scholar Theses

Objective: Fruit and Vegetable (FV) intake and Physical Activity (PA) are important lifestyle factors associated with body composition. This study assessed the combined impact of meeting FV intake and PA recommendations on body composition measures including body mass index (BMI), percent body fat (PBF), and waist circumference (WC) in adults aged 20–64 years from diverse backgrounds.

Design: A cross-sectional study conducted in Northeastern Connecticut.

Methods: A total of 124 participants completed a one-week dietary and PA record followed by anthropometric assessments. Participants were categorized into groups based on FV intake (≥400 g/day vs. < 400 g/day) and PA levels (≥600 MET-minutes/week vs. < 600 MET-minutes/week). Independent t-tests and chi-square tests were used to compare dietary intake, PA levels, and body composition outcomes across groups.

Results: Participants meeting FV recommendations had significantly …

Sweet Snacks Effects On Hispanic/Latino Childhood Obesity, Lemlen Belete, Brisa Rodriguez Alcantar

Undergraduate Research Symposium Lightning Talks

Background:

Obesity rates in children has become a growing concern in the Hispanic/Latino community in Nevada. This study examines the availability of sweet snacks in the home and its association with children's dietary behavior.

Methods:

Data was analyzed from a survey of 155 Latina mothers using logistic regression while controlling for income, education, and acculturation. The survey was conducted in Nevada, between October 2022 and March 2024.

Results:

The frequency of keeping sweets in the home was significantly associated with children's consumption of various sweets. For every increase in keeping sweets at home, the odds of children consuming: • Chocolate …

The Relationship Between Food Allergies And Intolerances And The Development Of Disordered Eating Patterns, Lucy M. Scholma

Human Nutrition and Hospitality Management Undergraduate Honors Theses

Food allergies and food intolerances are becoming an increasingly more prevalent issue in the Unites States. To mitigate adverse reactions, these individuals often eliminate food or food groups from their diets and the ramifications of these lifestyle changes may result in disordered eating patterns. In regard to food allergies and intolerances and eating disorders, it is reasonable to suggest that the overlapping lifestyle choices and physical, social, and emotional ramifications may lead to a correlation between the two phenomena. This study explores the relationship between food allergic and food intolerant individuals and disordered eating habits among college students. Survey results …

Excess Fructose In High-Fructose Corn Syrup Reduces Cell Viability & Promotes Nitric Oxide Release In Raw 264.7 Macrophages, Renzo F. Galarza, Edward L. Villegas

Research and Creativity Symposium

High-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is an artificial sweetener that contains slightly higher concentrations of fructose compared to standard sucrose. It has been linked to an increased risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and fatty liver disease. While both HFCS and sucrose are widely used sweeteners, growing evidence suggests they may differ in their inflammatory potential. We sought to understand the effects of elevated fructose on RAW 264.7 macrophages. To investigate these effects, we treated the cells with either a sucrose solution or a
solution designed to mimic high-fructose corn syrup. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation was used to model innate …

The Effect Protein Supplementation On Waist-To-Hip Ratio, Bmi, Lipid Profile, And Resting Energy Expenditure In Postmenopausal Women, Caleb Flores

Biological Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses

Postmenopausal women are a growing and at risk population that face increased risk for adverse changes in body composition, lipid profile, and overall cardiometabolic health due to hormonal changes associated with aging. Over 40% of postmenopausal women have obesity, which can be linked not just aging but the menopausal transition. Because of the negative effects of menopause on cardiometabolic, research into dietary interventions to combat these effects are needed. High-protein diets have shown promise in mitigating these effects, but sufficient research has not been done to determine the effects on postmenopausal women. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of …

Relationship Between Nutritional Knowledge And Eating Disorder Risk Levels, Valeria Fernandez

Human Nutrition and Hospitality Management Undergraduate Honors Theses

The prevalence of disordered eating is a critical public health concern that often progresses towards the development of a diagnosable eating disorder (ED). This, in turn, has detrimental physical and psychological consequences for individuals. Organizations such as the American Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN) and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) have recognized nutrition education as a crucial component of prevention and recovery. Determining the extent to which nutrition knowledge is related to risk factors for EDs is worth investigating due to its implications for healthcare approaches – especially among adolescent and young adult populations. The goal …

Healthy Dietary Patterns’ Impact On Depressive Symptoms: A Meta-Analysis Of Randomized Controlled Trials, Angela Encardone

All Theses

As the search for innovative mental health treatments expands, dietary interventions have emerged as a promising approach for alleviating depressive symptoms. This thesis presents a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examining the efficacy of whole-of-diet nutritional interventions in reducing depression symptoms among adults. Grounded in Bronfenbrenner’s Bioecological Model and Engel’s Biopsychosocial Model, this study explores the intersection of biological, psychological, and social factors that influence mental health outcomes. A systematic review identified six eligible RCTs assessing the impact of healthy dietary patterns, including the Mediterranean diet and other plant-based interventions, on depression symptoms. A random-effects meta-analysis revealed a significant …

Author Correction: Predictive Equation Derived From 6,497 Doubly Labelled Water Measurements Enables The Detection Of Erroneous Self-Reported Energy Intake, Rania Bajunaid, Chaoqun Niu, Catherine Hambly, Zongfang Liu, Yosuke Yamada, Heliodoro Aleman-Mateo, Liam J Anderson, Lenore Arab, Issad Baddou, Linda Bandini, Kweku Bedu-Addo, Ellen E Blaak, Carlijn V C Bouten, Soren Brage, Maciej S Buchowski, Nancy F Butte, Stefan G J A Camps, Regina Casper, Graeme L Close, Jamie A Cooper, Richard Cooper, Sai Krupa Das, Peter S W Davies, Prasangi Dabare, Lara R Dugas, Simon Eaton, Ulf Ekelund, Sonja Entringer, Terrence Forrester, Barry W Fudge, Melanie Gillingham, Annelies H Goris, Michael Gurven, Asmaa El Hamdouchi, Hinke H Haisma, Daniel Hoffman, Marije B Hoos, Sumei Hu, Noorjehan Joonas, Annemiek M Joosen, Peter Katzmarzyk, Misaka Kimura, William E Kraus, Wantanee Kriengsinyos, Rebecca Kuriyan, Robert F Kushner, Estelle V Lambert, Pulani Lanerolle, Christel L Larsson, William R Leonard, Nader Lessan, Marie Löf, Corby K Martin, Eric Matsiko, Anine C Medin, James C Morehen, James P Morton, Aviva Must, Marian L Neuhouser, Theresa A Nicklas, Christine D Nyström, Robert M Ojiambo, Kirsi H Pietiläinen, Yannis P Pitsiladis, Jacob Plange-Rhule, Guy Plasqui, Ross L Prentice, Susan B Racette, David A Raichlen, Eric Ravussin, Leanne M Redman, John J Reilly, Rebecca Reynolds, Susan B Roberts, Dulani Samaranayakem, Luis B Sardinha, Analiza M Silva, Anders M Sjödin, Marina Stamatiou, Eric Stice, Samuel S Urlacher, Ludo M Van Etten, Edgar G A H Van Mil, George Wilson, Jack A Yanovski, Tsukasa Yoshida, Xueying Zhang, Alexia J Murphy-Alford, Srishti Sinha, Cornelia U Loechl, Amy H Luke, Herman Pontzer, Jennifer Rood, Hiroyuki Sagayama, Dale A Schoeller, Klaas R Westerterp, William W Wong, John R Speakman

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

No abstract provided.

Predictors Of Disordered Eating Among College Students: A Multimodal Approach, Michelle Grazioli

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

This study investigated potential predictors and risk factors of disordered eating behaviors and attitudes among undergraduate college students, addressing the high prevalence of disordered eating on college campuses. The sample consisted of 85 female undergraduate students who completed self-report measures of impulsivity, emotion regulation difficulties, desire for a sense of control, eating disorder behaviors and attitudes, as well as behavioral (Go/No-go task) and physiological (antisaccade task) measures of impulsivity, using food-related stimuli. Correlational, linear regression, and discriminant function analyses revealed significant associations among the self-report independent variables with eating disorder risk. Detailed findings for specific subscales of eating disorder risk, …

Effect Of Gluten-Free Ingredients Substitutions On The Antioxidant Potential Of Antioxidant-Rich Baked Goods, Shubham Gautam

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

A growing interest in functional and gluten-free products has been seen due to possible health benefits for consumers. Antioxidants inclusion can play a pivotal role in not only nutritionally providing benefits within bakery products but also help consumers in potentially mitigating oxidative stress. PURPOSE: To investigate ingredient interactions between antioxidant-rich ingredients, functional and composite flours towards antioxidant potential of the bakery products after thermal degradation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three antioxidant potent ingredients (cocoa, garlic powder and blueberries) were utilized with a combination of gluten-free and composite flours (brown rice, sorghum, whole wheat and cassava) to develop brownies, garlic and blueberry …