Human and Clinical Nutrition Commons^™

Establishing Sustainable Community Garden Interventions With Aid From Health Promotion Organizations, Rachel Joann Buenemann

Theses and Dissertations

Community garden interventions provide policy, system and environmental change at the community level to establish health behaviors, which act in contest to obesity risk factors. Limited research examines factors, which influence the sustainability of community garden interventions. Therefore, in this study, a sample of 10 Midwestern community gardens associated through funding from a health promotion organization in 2013, collected data through the interviewing and surveying of 10 garden administrators and surveying of 12 garden volunteers. The study identified garden benefits perceived by garden administrators and volunteers to include contributions to social justice, continued education, enhanced social cohesion, increased access to …

The Effects Of Work-To-Rest Ratios On Torque, Electromyographic, And Mechanomyographic Responses To Fatiguing Workbouts, Ethan C. Hill, Terry J. Housh, Cory M. Smith, Kristen C. Cochrane, Nathaniel D.M. Jenkins, Richard J. Schmidt, Glen O. Johnson

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of 2 different work-to-rest ratios, but the same mean load, cycle time, and total duration of the exercise bout, on maximal voluntary isometric contraction torque and neuromuscular responses to fatiguing, intermittent, submaximal, isometric, forearm flexion muscle actions. Ten men performed 2 fatiguing protocols with different work-to-rest ratios (4 s contraction, 4 s rest vs. 4 s contraction, alternating 6 and 2 s rest) that consisted of 50 intermittent, submaximal (65% of maximal voluntary isometric contraction), isometric, forearm flexion muscle actions. Electromyographic and mechanomyographic signals from the biceps brachii were …

Effects Of Fatigue And Recovery On Electromechanical Delay During Isokinetic Muscle Actions, Cory M. Smith, Terry J. Housh, Ethan C. Hill, Josh L. Keller, Glen O. Johnson, Richard J. Schmidt

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

Objective: To examine muscle-specific differences and the effects of fatigue and recovery on electromechanical delay (EMD) during maximal isokinetic muscle actions.

Approach: Thirteen men performed maximal isokinetic knee extension muscle actions at 60° s⁻¹, pretest, posttest, and after 5 min of recovery from 25 maximal isokinetic knee extensions. The onsets of the electromyographic, mechanomyographic, and force signals were used to identify EMD measures from the vastus lateralis (VL), vastus medialis (VM), and rectus femoris (RF).

Main results: There were posttest increases in all EMD measures for all muscles that returned to pretest levels after 5 …

Development Of An Educational Program To Obtain And Maintain Healthy Weights Among 4th And 5th Grade Students, Stephanie Dean Black

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Development of an Educational Program to Obtain and Maintain Healthy Weights Among 4th and 5th Grade Students

By

Stephanie D. Black

MSN, University of Phoenix, 2008

BSN, Southwest Baptist University, 2006

ASN, Southwest Baptist University, 2003

Capstone Project Submitted in Partial Fulfillment

of the Requirements for the Degree of

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Walden University

October 2017

Obesity is prevalent in schoolchildren and increases risk of chronic diseases throughout the lifespan. Strategies are needed to address this growing health problem. Education in elementary schools targeting the topics of nutritional choices and prevention of obesity, particularly in 4th-5th grade population, is …

Parental Views Of Promoting Fruit And Vegetable Intake Among Overweight Preschoolers And School-Aged Children, Martha J. Nepper, Weiwen Chai

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

Given the importance of parental influence on children’s eating habits, we explored perceptions of parents of overweight (body mass index–for-age percentile ≥85%) preschoolers (3-5 years) and overweight school-aged children (6-12 years) regarding challenges in promoting fruit and vegetable intake and how they and other family members influence their overweight children’s dietary habits. Focus groups were conducted with 13 parents of overweight preschoolers and 14 parents of overweight school-aged children. Codes and themes were developed by inductive data analysis. Four common themes were identified: short shelf life of fresh fruits and vegetables prohibiting parents from purchasing, children’s taste changes in fruits …

Food Ingredients That Inhibit Cholesterol Absorption, Elliot D Jesch, Timothy P. Carr

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

Cholesterol is a vital component of the human body. It stabilizes cell membranes and is the precursor of bile acids, vitamin D and steroid hormones. However, cholesterol accumulation in the bloodstream (hypercholesterolemia) can cause atherosclerotic plaques within artery walls, leading to heart attacks and strokes. The efficiency of cholesterol absorption in the small intestine is of great interest because human and animal studies have linked cholesterol absorption with plasma concentration of total and low density lipoprotein cholesterol. Cholesterol absorption is highly regulated and influenced by particular compounds in the food supply. Therefore, it is desirable to learn more about natural …

Reliability And Minimum Detectable Change For Common Clinical Physical Function Tests In Sarcopenic Men And Women, Nathaniel D.M. Jenkins, Joel T. Cramer

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

Objectives: To determine the test–retest reliability and minimum detectable change scores for seven common clinical measurements of muscle strength and physical function in a multiethnic sample of sarcopenic, malnourished men and women.

Design: Each participant visited the laboratory seven times over 25 to 26 weeks. Reliability was assessed for each measurement from Familiarization 1 to Familiarization 2 (R1), Familiarization 2 to baseline testing (R2), Familiarization 3 to 12-week testing (R3), and Familiarization 4 to 24-week testing (R4).

Setting: Data were collected during a clinical trial at 23 sites in the United States, Belgium, Italy, Mexico, Poland, Spain, Switzerland, and the …

Determining How Campus Food Environment Influences Eating Behaviors Utilizing Focus Groups, Jennifer Swanstrom

The Journal of Undergraduate Research

This study set out to explore what factors in a campus environment influence students’ eating behaviors through qualitative methods. The student researcher developed questions based on a similar study and with the help of the faculty advisors. Researchers conducted focus groups and asked 9 open-ended questions. This study utilized a qualitative focus group approach along with a demographic survey that yielded quantitative data. Findings in the present study suggest that students eat unhealthier options when healthier options are available because of time, convenience, and cost. Students would like to cook in the dorm kitchens to eat healthier, however, most participants …

The Association Between Dietary Flavonoid Intake And Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Systemic Inflammation, And Comorbidity Burden, Tennador Sanderson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. Dietary habits may have an impact on COPD through anti-inflammatory mechanisms. For this cross-sectional secondary data analysis study, the advanced model of the epidemiology triangle was used as a guide to assess the association between total daily flavonoid intake and COPD diagnosis, COPD severity, systemic inflammation, and comorbidity burden. Data from over 5,100 male and female participants aged 30 and older were obtained from the 2007-2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The prevalence of COPD was 5.2% according to spirometry data. Multiple …

Effects Of Specific Home Environment Factors On A Child's Weight, Molly Millage

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background: In 2011-2014 8.9% of children 2-5 years old were classified as obese. Obesity in children predisposes them to negative health and psychological consequences. One of the most significant factors that influences a child is the physical environment the child is exposed to, which includes the home environment.
Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine how the home environment ie. cooking equipment, food preparation/availability, and frequency of family meals eaten at home, contribute to childhood obesity in children 3-5 years old.
Design: This study was a cross-sectional analysis of the iGrow Readers study.
Participants/setting: Total of 229 parent/child …

Characterizing Food Selectivity In Children With Autism, Samantha H. Wohlmacher

Honors Theses and Capstones

Food selectivity or “picky eating” affects a large percentage of children on the autism spectrum and as a result can have negative impacts on a child’s health and nutritional status (Cermak, Curtin, & Bandini, 2010). Few studies compare food selectivity in children on the autism spectrum to children with other developmental issues. Such a comparison may reveal how food selectivity presents itself uniquely in children on the autism spectrum. This study examined data from past health records collected from the Seacoast Childhood Development Center (SCDC). Thirty-eight children whose parents were concerned about their diets were taken from a larger sample …

The Influence Of Dietary Factors On Child Food Allergies, Jessica A. Shaw

Honors Theses and Capstones

Solid food introduction guidelines were recently amended to suggest that earlier introduction of peanuts is associated with a decreased prevalence of peanut allergies in high-risk children. This study aimed to determine whether there is a relationship between timing of introduction to the eight most common food allergens and the development of a food allergy. A total of 177 biological mothers of school-aged New Hampshire children completed the survey, but some were excluded due to answering <50% of the survey or not consenting to participate in the study. This left data on 101 participants, and the number of participants then varied between the various food allergens. Out of the 22 children with a milk allergy, 10 children were introduced to milk when they were less than 12 months old and 12 children were introduced at or after one year old. Fifty-nine percent of those introduced before 12 months of age developed a milk allergy, while only 17% of those introduced at or past 12 months developed a milk allergy (p = 0.00). Out of the 55 participants that developed a peanut/tree nut allergy, 12 were introduced to peanuts/tree nuts before the age of 12 months, and 43 introduced after. This means that 63% of those introduced before a year developed an allergy, while only 33% introduced later developed an allergy (p = 0.01). Although not significant, the results for egg, wheat, and peanut also demonstrated that earlier introduction may be associated with an increased risk of an allergy to that food. When only one child per family was considered, to exclude genetic confounders, the only significant value was for a milk allergy, in which 64% of children introduced before 12 months developed a food allergy, while only 18% of children introduced at or after 12 months developed one (p = 0.00). Results were similar even after the exclusion of child one and two. The results of this study concur with the recommendation of introducing milk after one year, but do not support earlier introduction to other food allergens in the general population.

Impact Of Dietary Resistant Starch On The Human Gut Microbiome, Metaproteome, And Metabolome, Tanja V. Maier, Marianna Lucio, Lang Ho Lee, Nathan C. Verberkmoes, Colin J. Brislawn, Jörg Bernhardt, Nathalie Bergeron

Faculty Publications & Research of the TUC College of Pharmacy

Diet can influence the composition of the human microbiome, and yet relatively few dietary ingredients have been systematically investigated with respect to their impact on the functional potential of the microbiome. Dietary resistant starch (RS) has been shown to have health benefits, but we lack a mechanistic understanding of the metabolic processes that occur in the gut during digestion of RS. Here, we collected samples during a dietary crossover study with diets containing large or small amounts of RS. We determined the impact of RS on the gut microbiome and metabolic pathways in the gut, using a combination of “omics” …

Innovation And Collaboration: Creating A Transdisciplinary Childhood Obesity Prevention Graduate Certificate Program, Becky Jensen, Mindy Anderson-Knott, Mary Bowne, Linda Boeckner, Suzanne Stluka, Kendra Kattelmann, Jessica Meendering

Health and Nutritional Sciences Faculty Publications

Preparing future professionals to work in transdisciplinary settings with a skill set to effectively foster collaborations and sustainable change requires a thoughtful and concerted interprofessional educational approach. Through an inter-university partnership in 2010 with name of university and the name of university, a group of faculty convened to propose the Transdisciplinary Obesity Prevention (TOP) graduate certificate program. With funding supported by a United States (US) Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture grant in 2011, a team of faculty from name of university and name of university representing various disciplines (exercise science, nutrition, dietetics, health promotion, public …

The Relationship Between Modifiable Lifestyle Factors And Muscle Lipid Depots In Older Adults, Maja Redzic

Theses and Dissertations--Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences

Muscle health declines with age, influencing both muscle strength and performance. Modifiable lifestyle factors may mitigate muscle dysfunction by altering muscle lipid depots. Vitamin D status, dietary intake, and physical activity each play a role in muscle health during aging. Low vitamin D status (measured as 25(OH)D) is prevalent among older adults and has been associated with functional limitations and impaired physical performance. Previously, 25(OH)D concentrations were inversely associated with extramyocellular lipid (EMCL) and our lab observed a significant positive relationship between 25(OH)D concentrations and IMCL. Studies have shown mixed results regarding the effects dietary fat intake interventions have on …

Comparing Mindfulness-Enriched Weight Management To Current Standard Practices, Teresa M. Lee

Theses and Dissertations--Nutrition and Food Systems

Mindfulness-based interventions have been shown to be effective for numerous diet-related conditions. Mindfulness skills have been theorized to be helpful in improving eating behaviors, and thereby weight management. The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of a mindfulness-enriched weight management program to a standard weight loss program over the course of a 12-week intervention, and weight maintenance over six months. This was a two-group randomized experimental design. One group received a standard weight loss program, while the other group received the same program with an additional mindfulness component. Follow up assessments were conducted twice at three-month intervals. …

Effectiveness Of A Face-To-Face Weight Loss Intervention Paired With Mobile Technology Among Rural Adults In Kentucky, Thomas Michael Ard

Theses and Dissertations--Nutrition and Food Systems

The obesity epidemic remains a serious issue in the United States leading to significant public health implications and costs. Few weight loss interventions paring mobile technology with face-to-face interventions have been conducted in rural communities. Yet, mobile technology interventions offer good potential for delivery but it is unclear if the combination of these weight loss strategies are beneficial. This study sought to examine how integrating mobile technology with face-to-face weight loss interventions in rural communities affects weight loss. Additionally, to determine if mobile technology paired with face-to-face interventions could increase autonomous and controlled motivation levels among adults in rural Kentucky. …

Prediction Of Human Dietary Δ15N Intake From Standardized Food Records: Validity And Precision Of Single Meal And 24-H Diet Data, Frank Hülsemann, Karsten Koehler, Jürgen Wittsiepe, Michael Wilhelm, Annett Hilbig, Mathilde Kersting, Hans Braun, Ulrich Flenker, Wilhelm Schänzer

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

Natural stable isotope ratios (δ15N) of humans can be used for nutritional analyses and dietary reconstruction of modern and historic individuals and populations. Information about an individual’s metabolic state can be obtained by comparison of tissue and dietary δ¹⁵N. Different methods have been used to estimate dietary δ¹⁵N in the past; however, the validity of such predictions has not been compared to experimental values. For a total of 56 meals and 21 samples of 24-h diets, predicted and experimental δ¹⁵N values were compared. The δ¹⁵N values were predicted from self-recorded food intake …

Time Course Of Changes In Neuromuscular Responses At 30% Versus 70% 1 Repetition Maximum During Dynamic Constant External Resistance Leg Extensions To Failure, Cory M. Smith, Terry J. Housh, Ethan C. Hill, Richard J. Schmidt, Glen O. Johnson

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

The purpose of the current study was to examine the time course of changes in neuromuscular responses from the vastus medialis (VM) during low versus high intensity dynamic constant external resistance (DCER) leg extension muscle actions to failure. Thirteen men performed DCER leg extensions to failure at 30% and 70% 1-repetition maximum (1-RM) as well as 1-RM measurements pretest and posttest. Electromyogaphy and mechanomyographic signals were measured from the VM. There were no differences in neuromuscular responses pretest versus posttest 1-RM. There were timedependent differences between the 30% and 70% 1-RM protocols. The initial phase of the 30% 1- RM …

Hepatocyte Abca1 Deletion Impairs Liver Insulin Signaling And Lipogenesis, Chia-Chi C. Key, Mingxia Liu, C. Lisa Kurtz, Soonkyu Chung, Elena Boudyguina, Timothy A. Dinh, Alexander Bashore, Peter E. Phelan, Barry I. Freedman, Timothy F. Osborne, Xuewei Zhu, Lijun Ma, Praveen Sethupathy, Sudha B. Biddinger, John S. Parks

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

Plasma membrane (PM) free cholesterol (FC) is emerging as an important modulator of signal transduction. Here, we show that hepatocyte-specific knockout (HSKO) of the cellular FC exporter, ATPbinding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1), leads to decreased PM FC content and defective trafficking of lysosomal FC to the PM. Compared with controls, chow-fed HSKO mice had reduced hepatic (1) insulin- stimulated Akt phosphorylation, (2) activation of the lipogenic transcription factor Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Protein (SREBP)-1c, and (3) lipogenic gene expression. Consequently, Westerntype diet-fed HSKO mice were protected from steatosis. Surprisingly, HSKO mice had intact glucose metabolism; they showed normal gluconeogenic gene …

Greater Neural Adaptations Following High- Vs. Low-Load Resistance Training, Nathaniel D. M. Jenkins, Amelia A. Miramonti, Ethan C. Hill, Cory M. Smith, Kristen C. Cochrane-Snyman, Terry J. Housh, Joel T. Cramer

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

We examined the neuromuscular adaptations following 3 and 6 weeks of 80 vs. 30%one repetition maximum (1RM) resistance training to failure in the leg extensors. Twenty-six men (age = 23.1 ± 4.7 years) were randomly assigned to a high- (80% 1RM; n = 13) or low-load (30% 1RM; n = 13) resistance training group and completed leg extension resistance training to failure 3 times per week for 6 weeks. Testing was completed at baseline, 3, and 6 weeks of training. During each testing session, ultrasound muscle thickness and echo intensity, 1RM strength, maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) strength, and contractile …

Evaluation Of A Nutrition Education Program Targeting Home-Based Child Care Centers, Cassandra Nicole Urrutia

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Background: The development of a highly obesogenic culture promoting sedentary behavior and the consumption of calorie-dense foods has led to increased levels of overweight and obesity globally. While children and adults are both at increased risk of developing obesity, the risk is even higher in minority and low socioeconomic populations. Changes in familial structure and an increase in mothers of younger children (below the age of 6) entering the workforce have created a new demand for child care services. Although some studies have researched the effectiveness of nutrition programs to increase healthy eating within the child care setting, few have …

Culturally Competent Nutrition Counseling And Health Outcomes Of Patients On Emergency Dialysis, Edlyn Geraldine Bustamante

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Undocumented end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients in the United States only have access to emergency dialysis. To compensate for the lack of regular dialysis these patients must follow strict renal dietary restrictions. However, nutrition counseling by a dietitian is not part of the renal management of patients on emergency dialysis. The purpose of this quantitative quasi-experimental treatment-control study was to assess how the application of nutritional counseling that is both culturally and linguistically competent affects dialysis frequency and biochemical lab values such as serum potassium, phosphorus, and vitamin D of patients in emergency dialysis. The study was grounded on …

Nutrition Services, Viral Suppression, Cd4, And Retention In Ryan White Program Participants, Theresa Jumento

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program (RWHAP) provides HIV-related medical and support services for uninsured and underinsured people living with HIV (PLWH) in the United States. In addition to HIV-related medical care, the program provides medical nutrition therapy and food assistance. The role of nutrition in the health of PLWH is well-documented, especially in resource poor areas; however, the role of medical nutrition therapy and food assistance provided through the RWHAP in resource rich areas is not well documented. This study addressed the association between the nutrition services of food assistance and medical nutrition therapy and the HIV-related health outcomes of …

Association Between Energy Balance And Metabolic Hormone Suppression During Ultra-Endurance Exercise, Bjoern Geesmann, Jenna C. Gibbs, Joachim Mester, Karsten Koehler

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

Ultra-endurance athletes often accumulate an energy deficit when engaging in ultra-endurance exercise, and upon completion of the exercise, they exhibit endocrine changes that are reminiscent of starvation. However, it remains unclear whether these endocrine changes are a result of the exercise per se or secondary to the energy deficit, and more importantly, whether these changes can be attenuated by increased dietary intake. Our goal was to assess the relationship between changes in key metabolic hormones following ultra-endurance exercise and measures of energy balance. Metabolic hormones as well as energy intake and expenditure were assessed in 14 well-trained male cyclists who …

Less-Than-Expected Weight Loss In Normal-Weight Women Undergoing Caloric Restriction And Exercise Is Accompanied By Preservation Of Fat-Free Mass And Metabolic Adaptations, Karsten Koehler, M. J. De Souza, N. I. Williams

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

Background/Objectives: Normal-weight women frequently restrict their caloric intake and exercise, but little is known about the effects on body weight, body composition and metabolic adaptations in this population.

Subjects/Methods: We conducted a secondary analysis of data from a randomized controlled trial in sedentary normal-weight women. Women were assigned to a severe energy deficit (SEV: –1062 ± 80 kcal per day; n = 9), a moderate energy deficit (MOD: –633 ± 71 kcal per day; n = 7) or energy balance (BAL; n = 9) while exercising five times per week for 3 months. Outcome variables included changes in body weight, …

Web-Based Interventions Alone Or Supplemented With Peer-Led Support Or Professional Email Counseling For Weight Loss And Weight Maintenance In Women From Rural Communities: Results Of A Clinical Trial, Patricia A. Hageman, Carol H. Pullen, Melody Hertzog, Bunny J. Pozehl, Christine Eisenhauer, Linda S. Boeckner

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

Objective. This trial compared the effectiveness of a web-based only (WO) intervention with web-based supplemented by peer-led discussion (WD) or professional email counseling (WE) across 3 phases to achieve weight loss and weight maintenance in women from underserved rural communities.

Methods. 301 women (BMI of 28–45 kg/m²) randomly assigned to groups participated in guided weight loss (baseline to 6 months), guided weight loss and maintenance (6 to 18 months), and self-managed weight maintenance (18 to 30 months).

Results. Retention was 88.7%, 76.5%, and 71.8% at 6, 18, and 30 months, respectively. Intent-to-treat analyses demonstrated no group …

Nonprofit Pay In A Competitive Market: Wage Penalty Or Premium?, Christian King, Gregory B. Lewis

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

Two competing theories argue that the nonprofit sector pays differently: Nonprofit employees may accept lower pay to be able to do meaningful work for a good cause, or they may earn higher pay due to nonprofit organizations’ tax exemptions and weaker incentives to hold down wages. To test these opposing expectations, we use the 2005-2013 American Community Surveys to examine pay differences among registered nurses working for nonprofit, for-profit, and public hospitals. We also test hypotheses that public and nonprofit hospitals have smaller pay disparities by gender, race, and relationship status. We find that pay is highest in nonprofit hospitals, …

Milk Exosomes: Beyond Dietary Micrornas, Janos Zempleni

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

Extracellular vesicles deliver a variety of cargos to recipient cells, including the delivery of cargos in dietary vesicles from bovine milk to non-bovine species. The rate of discovery in this important line of research is slowed by a controversy whether the delivery and bioactivity of a single class of vesicle cargos, microRNAs, are real or not. This opinion paper argues that the evidence in support of the bioavailability of microRNAs encapsulated in dietary exosomes outweighs the evidence produced by scholars doubting that phenomenon is real. Importantly, this paper posits that the time is ripe to look beyond microRNA cargos and …

Role Of Oxygen Free Radicals, Nitric Oxide And Mitochondria In Mediating Cardiac Alterations During Liver Cirrhosis Induced By Thioacetamide, G. Jayakumar Amirtharaj, Sathish Kumar Natarajan, Anna Pulimood, K. A. Balasubramanian, Aparna Venkatraman, Anup Ramachandran

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

Thioacetamide (TAA) administration is widely used for induction of liver cirrhosis in rats, where reactive oxygen radicals (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) participate in development of liver damage. Cardiac dysfunction is an important complication of liver cirrhosis, but the role of ROS or NO in cardiac abnormalities during liver cirrhosis is not well understood. This was investigated in animals after TAA-induced liver cirrhosis and temporal changes in oxidative stress, NO and mitochondrial function in the heart evaluated. TAA induced elevation in cardiac levels of nitrate before development of frank liver cirrhosis, without gross histological alterations. This was accompanied by an …