Nutritional Epidemiology Commons^™

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

School of Public Health Faculty Publications

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

Evaluating Variety- And Market-Class-Specific Effects Of Dietary Pulses On Human Health, Jiayu Tang

Department of Food Science and Technology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

While pulses are globally recognized for their high levels of dietary fibers, protein, and polyphenols, research often focuses on characterizing the physiological effects of a single variety. This approach overlooks the substantial genetic and compositional diversity that exists across pulse varieties and individual market classes, which can differ extensively in nutrient content and structure. These compositional differences have the potential to produce distinct physiological and microbial responses in humans, yet variety- and market-class-specific effects remain poorly characterized.

This thesis uses two complementary research methodologies to investigate the health-relevant effects of different pulse varieties and market classes, providing foundational knowledge to …

Biological Dental Hygiene: Principles, Educational Pathways, And Clinical Practice Considerations, Tara Newcomb

Dental Hygiene Faculty Publications

Dental hygiene practice is rapidly evolving in response to emerging evidence on the oral–systemic health connection, advances in preventive technologies, and increased emphasis on individualized, minimally invasive care. A commitment to lifelong learning and continuing professional development is essential for maintaining clinical competence and integrating new scientific knowledge into practice. Biological dental hygiene has emerged as a complementary framework that emphasizes whole-body health, biocompatibility, reduction of toxic exposures, and prevention-centered care. This approach expands traditional dental hygiene practice by incorporating enhanced risk assessment, salivary diagnostics, targeted preventive strategies, as well as patient education focused on nutrition, inflammation reduction, and systemic …

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 …

Translating Cardiovascular Clinical Practice Guidelines On Nutrition Therapy: Validation Of The Portfolio Diet Toolkit For Healthcare Providers, Gabrielle Viscardi, Sahba Eskandari, Alyssa Chen, Nicholas Chiang, Meaghan E. Kavanagh, Songhee Back, Micheal Vallis, Mary J. Scourboutakos, Vasanti S. Malik, Cyril W.C. Kendall, David J.A. Jenkins, John L. Sievenpiper, Laura Chiavaroli

Department of Family and Community Medicine Faculty Publications

Background

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains a leading cause of death in Canada. Although the Portfolio Diet, a dietary pattern of cholesterol-lowering foods, is supported by CVD clinical practice guidelines, its uptake in clinical practice remains limited. This study assessed the content and face validity of a healthcare provider (HCP)-facing toolkit (infographic and video), designed to support implementation of the Portfolio Diet.

Methods

HCPs were recruited for a 2-round evaluation. They assessed the toolkit using a questionnaire. Content validity of the infographic was assessed using a 4-point Likert scale (1 = irrelevant to 4 = extremely relevant) and face validity of …

Screening And Addressing Food Insecurity At Free Clinics: A Scoping Review, Gautam Ramanathan, William Zak, Daiwik Munjwani, Robert Fisher, Esther May Sarino, Mary J. Scourboutakos

Department of Medicine Faculty Publications

Food insecurity (FI) is highly prevalent amongst patients seeking care at free, student-run health clinics. This study sought to examine the existing literature of food insecurity screenings and interventions at free clinics across the U.S. In this review, we provide the rate of FI screenings, the prevalence of FI, demographic information of patients screened, and interventions and barriers faced by clinics while implementing interventions to improve FI. Studies included in this review needed to implement a FI screening and intervention program in a free clinic within the United States. Additionally, eligible studies could address additional social determinants of health or …

Increasing The Impact Of Dietary Fiber From Grains On Human Health Through Gut Microbiome, Sujun Liu

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

The relationship between dietary fiber intake and human health has gained significant attention due to its potential in preventing chronic diseases and promoting gut health. Grains are a primary source of dietary fiber; however, the health impact of grain fibers is often limited because they are incompletely metabolized by gut bacteria. This dissertation explores innovative strategies to enhance the concentration and of dietary fiber from grains and its utilization by gut bacteria. By investigating various treatments, this research aims to maximize the health benefits of grain-derived dietary fibers, thereby contributing to a healthier society.

This dissertation is organized into four …

Supporting African Communities To Increase Resilience And Mental Health Of Kids With Developmental Disabilities And Their Caregivers Using The World Health Organization’S Caregiver Skills Training Programme (Spark Trial): Study Protocol For A Cluster Randomised Clinical Controlled Trial, Melissa Nortey, Vibian Angweny, Beatrice Mkubwa, Rosa Hoekstra, Andrew Healey, Rahel Birhane, Nadine Seward, Temesgen Azmeraw, Fikite Girma

Institute for Human Development, East Africa

Background: Most children with developmental disabilities (DD) live in low- and middle-income countries, but access to services is limited, impacting their ability to thrive. Pilot study findings of the World Health Organization’s Caregiver Skills Training (WHO CST) intervention, which equips caregivers with strategies to facilitate learning and adaptive behaviours in children with DD, are promising but evidence from an appropriately powered trial delivered by non-specialist facilitators is lacking. This study will investigate the effectiveness and the resource impacts and costs and consequences of the WHO CST intervention in four sites in rural and urban Kenya and Ethiopia.

Methods: …

Corrigendum: Sars-Cov-2 Seroprevalence In Pregnant Women In Kilifi, Kenya From March 2020 To March 2022, Angela Koech, Geoffrey Omuse, Joseph Mutunga, Moses Mukhanya, Onesmus Wanje, Grace Mwashigadi, Geoffrey Katana, Rachel Craik, Alex Mugo, Marleen Temmerman

Pathology, East Africa

Background: Seroprevalence studies are an alternative approach to estimating the extent of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and the evolution of the pandemic in different geographical settings. We aimed to determine the SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence from March 2020 to March 2022 in a rural and urban setting in Kilifi County, Kenya.

Methods: We obtained representative random samples of stored serum from a pregnancy cohort study for the period March 2020 to March 2022 and tested for antibodies against the spike protein using a qualitative SARS-CoV-2 ELISA kit (Wantai, total antibodies). All positive samples were retested for anti-SARS-CoV-2 anti-nucleocapsid antibodies (Euroimmun, ELISA kits, NCP, …

Assessing The Influence Of Food Insecurity And Retail Environments As A Proxy For Structural Racism On The Covid-19 Pandemic In An Urban Setting, Rachael D. Dombrowski, Alex B. Hill, Bree Bode, Kathrybn A. G Knoff, Hadis Dastgerdizad, Noel Kulik, James Mallare, Kibibi Blount-Dorn, Winona Bynum

Urban Studies and Planning Faculty Research Publications

A collaborative partnership launched the Great Grocer Project (GGP) in March 2021 in Detroit, Michigan where health inequities, including deaths due to COVID-19, have historically been politically determined and informed by socially entrenched norms. Institutional and structural racism has contributed to a lack of diversity in store ownership among Detroit grocers and limited access to high-quality, affordable healthy foods as well as disparate food insecurity among Detroit residents. The GGP seeks to promote Detroit’s healthy grocers to improve community health and economic vitality through research, programs, and policies that have the potential to advance health equity. A cross-sectional design was …

The Risk Factors For Self-Monitoring Of Blood Glucose Among Individuals Diagnosed With Type 2 Diabetes In Saudi Arabia, Mohammed Abdulrahman Alsuliman, Qi Zhang, Shelley Mishoe, Praveen K. Durgampudi

Community & Environmental Health Faculty Publications

Background: Lack of self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) is a known risk factor for controlling type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Nevertheless, little research has been conducted on SMBG among Saudis with T2DM.

Aim: The study aimed to investigate personal and cognitive-perceptual factors for SMBG among Saudis with T2DM guided by Health Promotion Model.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample size of 808 Saudi adults with T2DM utilizing secondary data from the Saudi Health Interview Survey for 2013.

Statistical Analysis: Bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were applied to examine the risk factors for SMBG among Saudis with T2DM. …

Practices Of Vitamin D Supplementation Leading To Vitamin D Toxicity: Experience From A Low-Middle Income Country, Siraj Muneer, Imran Siddiqui, Hafsa Majid, Nawazish Zehra, Lena Jafri, Aysha Habib

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Introduction: The trend of prescribing VD preparations for nonspecific body aches and self-medication has increased significantly. The importance of vitamin D toxicity (VDT) has been underestimated and under recognized. This study was done to determine the frequency toxicity (>150 ng/ml) in subjects for 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) and evaluate the vitamin D (VD) supplements used by these subjects.
Methodology: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the Section of Chemical Pathology, Aga Khan University Hospital Karachi from April 2020 to March 2021. Subjects with 25OHD toxicity were contacted and information related to history of calcium and VD supplementation were collected. …

Internalization Of Appearance Ideals And Not Religiosity Indirectly Impacts The Relationship Between Acculturation And Disordered Eating Risk In South And Southeastern Asian Women Living In The United States, Sonakshi Negi, Erik M. Benau, Megan Strowger, Anne Claire Grammer, C. Alix Timko

Psychology Faculty Publications

Objective: Studies that examine disordered eating in samples of Asian individuals living in the United States frequently combine all individuals of Asian descent into a single group, which can obscure important differences between groups and their experiences of acculturation. The goal of the present study was to establish the relation of acculturation, internalization of appearance ideals, and religiosity as predicting body dissatisfaction and disordered eating in women of South and Southeast Asian (SSEA) descent.

Method: Women of SSEA descent (N = 112) aged 18–51 years (M = 23.10, SD = 6.4) completed a battery of questionnaires that inquire about these …

Rationale And Design Of An Ecological Momentary Assessment Study Examining Predictors Of Binge Eating Among Sexual Minority And Heterosexual Young Women: Protocol For The Health And Experiences In Real Life (Her Life) Study, Kristin E. Heron, Abby L. Braitman, Charlotte A. Dawson, Cassidy M. Sandoval, Lauren V. Butler, Alicia Moulder, Robin J. Lewis

Psychology Faculty Publications

Background: Previous research has identified health disparities between sexual minority and heterosexual women, including increased rates of obesity and binge eating in sexual minority women. Established predictors of binge eating behavior include negative emotions and sociocultural processes; however, these studies are generally conducted in samples of young women where sexual identity is not known or reported. There is a dearth of research evaluating how sexual minority–specific factors (eg, minority stress and connectedness to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community) may affect binge eating in sexual minority women. In addition, no studies have examined these processes in racially diverse …

Family Diabetes Camp Amidst Covid-19: A Community Of Practice Model, Eddie Hill, Rowan Williams, Justin Haegele, Ron Ramsing, Bethany Arrington, Laura Hill

Human Movement Studies & Special Education Faculty Publications

Studies have found that youth are experiencing higher anxiety levels than prior to COVID-19, and youth with type 1 diabetes are at higher risk. Medical specialty camps are a type of camp that provide opportunities for youth with chronic illnesses to share common goals, increase socialization, improve camper well-being, and increase knowledge of diabetes management. The program evaluation sought to determine the impact of a campers’ outcomes of independence and perceived competence and familial impact during COVID-19. Over half the participants were at their first diabetes camp and 71% of the campers felt their perceived competence “increased a little bit” …

Breastfeeding Media Coverage And Beliefs During The Covid-19 Pandemic In Mexico: Implications For Breastfeeding Equity, Mireya Vilar-Compte, P. Gaitán‐Rossi, E. C. Rhodes, V. Cruz‐Villalba, R. Pérez‐Escamilla

Department of Public Health Scholarship and Creative Works

Background: Because breastfeeding offers short- and long- term health benefits to mothers and children, breastfeeding promotion and support is a public health priority. Evidence shows that SARS-CoV-2 is not likely to be transmitted via breastmilk. Moreover, antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 are thought to be contained in breastmilk of mothers with history of COVID-19 infection or vaccination. WHO recommends direct breastfeeding as the preferred infant feeding option during the COVID-19 pandemic, even among women with COVID-19; but conflicting practices have been adopted, which could widen existing inequities in breastfeeding. This study aims to describe how information about breastfeeding was communicated in Mexican …

Vegetarian Diets, Maybe Not As Healthy As You Think, Darryl Goh, Debbie Chan, Merson Hoo, Ian Wong

Introduction to Research Methods RSCH 202

Many are approaching vegetarianism as a viable diet option in recent years, presuming that adopting a vegetarian diet would provide health benefits. This paper explores the possibilities of physical and mental effects that vegetarianism may have on humans and its extent by the use of regression analysis. To measure the possible impacts vegetarian diets may hold on both the physiology and physical aspects of humans, we have utilized the measures of life expectancy and prevalence of depression respectively. Cross-sectional data were examined from sources such as the World Health Organization, Our World In Data and the World Bank, with figures …

The Financing Need For Expanding Paid Maternity Leave To Support Breastfeeding In The Informal Sector In The Philippines, Valerie Gilbert Ulep, Paul Zambrano, Janice Datu-Sanguyo, Mireya Vilar-Compte, Graciela Materuel Belismelis, Rafael Pérez-Escamilla, Grace J. Carrol, Roger Mathisen

Department of Public Health Scholarship and Creative Works

In low- and middle-income countries, almost three-fourths of women in the labour force lack maternity protection. In the Philippines, current laws do not guarantee paid maternity leave to workers in the informal economy. A non-contributory maternity cash transfer to informal sector workers could be used to promote social equity and economic productivity and could provide health benefits by helping mothers meet their breastfeeding goals. The objective of the study is to provide a realistic cost estimate and to assess the financial feasibility of implementing a publicly financed, non-contributory maternity cash transfer programme to the informal sector in the Philippines. Using …

Excessive Intake Of Iodine And Low Prevalence Of Goiter In School Age Children Five Years After Implementation Of National Salt Iodization In Shebedino Woreda, Southern Ethiopia, Elilta Elias, Workneh Tsegaya, Barbara J. Stoecker, Tafere Gebreegziabher Belay

All Faculty Scholarship for the College of the Sciences

Background

Iodine is a trace element required for the synthesis of thyroid hormones. The multiple effects of iodine deficiency on human health are called iodine deficiency disorders (IDDs). IDDs have been common nutritional problems in Ethiopia. In 2012, Ethiopia launched a national salt iodization program to address IDDs. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of this program after 5 years by measuring urinary iodine concentration (UIC) and prevalence of goiter in school age children as well as household salt iodine concentration (SIC).

Methods

A school-based cross-sectional design was employed. After ethical approval, 408 children from eight …

Stunting And Combined Overweight With Stunting Among Schoolchildren In Kuwait: Trends Over A 13-Year Period, Abdullah Al-Taiar, Nawal Alqaoud, Reem Sharaf Alddin, Faheema Alanezi, Monica Subhakaran, Anne Dumadag, Ahmed N. Albatineh

Community & Environmental Health Faculty Publications

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the sex- and age-specific trends of stunting and combined overweight with stunting among schoolchildren over a 13-year period in Kuwait. Subjects and Methods: The Kuwait Nutrition Surveillance System objectively measured the height of 172,573 schoolchildren (5–19 years) over a 13-year period (2007–2019). Data on gender and date of birth were extracted from school records. Stunting was defined as height 2 standard deviations (SD) below the World Health Organization growth reference median. Logistic regression models were used to examine the trends of stunting over the study period while stratifying by gender. Results: In males, the …

Implementation Fidelity Of Nutritional Counselling, Iron And Folic Acid Supplementation Guidelines And Associated Challenges In Rural Uasin Gishu County Kenya, Roselyter Riang’A, Anne Nangulu, Jacqueline Broerse

Population Health, East Africa

Background: Implementation fidelity which is defined as the degree to which programmes are implemented as intended is one of the factors that affect programme outcome, thus requiring careful examination. This study aims to acquire insight into the degree to which nutritional counselling and Iron and Folic Acid supplementation (IFAs) policy guidelines during pregnancy have been implemented as intended and the challenges to implementation fidelity.

Methods: Data were collected in rural Uasin Gishu County in the western part of Kenya through document analysis, questionnaires among intervention recipients (n = 188) and semi-structured interviews with programme implementers (n = 6). …

Housing Stability And Diabetes Among People Living In New York City Public Housing, Sungwoo Lim, Sze Yan Liu, Melanie H. Jacobson, Eugenie Poirot, Aldo Crossa, Sean Locke, Jennifer Brite, Elizabeth Hamby, Zinzi Bailey, Stephanie Farquhar

Department of Public Health Scholarship and Creative Works

Public housing provides affordable housing and, potentially, housing stability for low-income families. Housing stability may be associated with lower incidence or prevalence and better management of a range of health conditions through many mechanisms. We aimed to test the hypotheses that public housing residency is associated with both housing stability and reduced risk of diabetes incidence, and the relationship between public housing and diabetes risk varies by levels of housing stability. Using 2004-16 World Trade Center Health Registry data, we compared outcomes (housing stability measured by sequence analysis of addresses, self-reported diabetes diagnoses) between 730 New York City public housing …

The Nutritional Status Of Children Living Within Institutionalized Care: A Systematic Review, Emily Delacey, Cally Tann, Nora Groce, Maria Kett, Michael Quiring, Ethan Bergman, Caryl Garcia, Marko Kerac

All Faculty Scholarship for the College of the Sciences

Background. There are an estimated 2.7 million children living within institutionalized care worldwide. This review aimed to evaluate currently available data on the nutrition status of children living within institutionalized care.

Methods. We searched four databases (Pubmed/Medline, CINHAL Plus, Embase and Global Health Database) for relevant articles published from January 1990 to January 2019. Studies that included information on anthropometry or micronutrient status of children living within institutionalized care were eligible for inclusion. The review is registered on PROSPERO: CRD42019117103.

Results. From 3,602 titles screened, we reviewed 98 full texts, of which 25 papers were eligible. Two (8%) studies reported …

Disparities In The Prevalence And Risk Factors Of Anaemia Among Children Aged 6–24 Months And 25–59 Months In Ethiopia, Tafere Gebreegziabher Belay, Nigatu Regassa, Micaela Wakefield, Kelly Pritchett, Susan Hawk

All Faculty Scholarship for the College of Education and Professional Studies

Despite global efforts made to address anaemia, the prevalence remains high in most Sub-Saharan African countries. In Ethiopia, anaemia poses a very strong public health concern. The purpose of the present study was to examine the key risk factors related to anaemia among children aged 6–24 months (younger age group) and 25–59 months (older age group). We used the 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey data, collected from 11 023 mothers with under five children. Ordered logistic regression modelling was used for assessing risk factors of childhood anaemia. The results suggest that the prevalence of anaemia was 72 % in …

Effectiveness Of Individual Nutrition Education Compared To Group Education, In Improving Anthropometric And Biochemical Indices Among Hypertensive Adults With Excessive Body Weight: A Randomized Controlled Trial, Danuta Gajewska, Alicja Kucharska, Marcin Kozak, Shahla M. Wunderlich, Joanna Niegowska

Department of Nutrition and Food Studies Scholarship and Creative Works

Objective: The study aims to compare the effectiveness of individual and group nutrition education methods in improving key anthropometric and biochemical markers in drug-treated, overweight-obese hypertensive adults. Methods: The randomized trial included 170 patients with pharmacologically well-controlled primary hypertension and body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 kg/m². For six months, the patients received six sessions, either one-to-one individual nutrition education (IE, n = 89) or group education (GE, n= 81), developed by dietitians. Anthropometric measurements, body composition, and fasting measures of biochemical parameters were obtained at baseline and after six months of intervention. Results: 150 patients completed the …

Seaweeds As Nutraceuticals For Health And Nutrition, Emer Shannon, Nissreen Abu-Ghannam

Articles

Throughout human history, seaweeds have been used as food, folk remedies, dyes, and as mineral-rich fertilisers. Seaweeds as nutraceuticals or functional foods with dietary benefits beyond their fundamental macronutrient content are now a major research and industrial development concept. The occurrence of dietary and lifestyle related diseases, notably type 2 diabetes, obesity, cancer, and metabolic syndrome has become a health epidemic in developed countries. Global epidemiological studies have shown that countries where seaweed is consumed on a regular basis have significantly fewer instances of obesity and dietary-related disease. This review outlines recent developments in seaweed applications for human health from …

Decomposing Trends In Child Obesity, Ashley Wendell Kranjac, Robert L. Wagmiller

Sociology Faculty Articles and Research

We unravel the absolute level and relative prominence of two demographic processes that are relevant for childhood obesity, and that will ultimately determine the long-term course and pace of change in child obesity rates. We leverage data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to decompose change in child obesity from 1971 to 2012. We partition change into that attributable to (1) healthier, more nutritionally and economically advantaged cohorts in the population being replaced by cohorts of children who are less advantaged (between-cohort change), and (2) the health habits, nutrition, and social and economic circumstances of all cohorts of …

Associations Between Comorbid Tdp-43, Lewy Body Pathology And Neuropsychiatric Symptoms In Alzheimer's Disease, Ece Bayram, Guogen Shan, Jeffrey L. Cummings

School of Public Health Faculty Research

More than half of the patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) have comorbidities including TDP-43 and Lewy bodies, which are also associated with frontotemporal lobar degeneration and dementia with Lewy bodies, respectively. These comorbidities may help explain the overlapping neuropsychiatric symptoms between AD and other dementias. Data on 221 AD patients with Neuropsychiatric Inventory-Questionnaire were obtained from the National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center. TDP-43 was associated with aberrant motor activity, whereas Lewy bodies were associated with anxiety, irritability, sleep behavior, and appetite problems. The associations between these comorbidities and neuropsychiatric symptoms were more significant for patients with sparse diffuse plaques.

Body Mass Index In Multiple Sclerosis Modulates Ceramide-Induced Dna Methylation And Disease Course, Kamilah Castro, Achilles Ntranos, Mario Amatruda, Maria Petracca, Peter Kosa, Emily Y. Chen, Johannes Morstein, Dirk Trauner, Corey T. Watson, Michael A. Kiebish, Bibiana Bielekova, Matilde Inglese, Ilana Katz Sand, Patricia Casaccia

Advanced Science Research Center

Background: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) results from genetic predisposition and environmental variables, including elevated Body Mass Index (BMI) in early life. This study addresses the effect of BMI on the epigenome of monocytes and disease course in MS.

Methods: Fifty-four therapy-naive Relapsing Remitting (RR) MS patients with high and normal BMI received clinical and MRI evaluation. Blood samples were immunophenotyped, and processed for unbiased plasma lipidomic profiling and genome-wide DNA methylation analysis of circulating monocytes. The main findings at baseline were validated in an independent cohort of 91 therapy-naïve RRMS patients. Disease course was evaluated by a two-year longitudinal follow up …

Gut Feeling: Good Food, Good Mood, Asia Battle

The Diana McDonald Writer's Challenge

In “Gut Feeling: Good Food, Good Mood,” Asia Battle describes the emerging field of nutritional psychiatry. Her essay explains why psychotropic medications can be unreliable and, over time, even counter-productive for treating ADHD, autism, bipolar disorder, and other disorders with which children are being increasingly diagnosed. Battle explains some of the science linking proper nutrition with relief from mental/emotional distress and offers suggestions for transitioning from poor diets (including the treats that we may use to placate children) to diets that promote physical and emotional well-being.