Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Commons^™

The Association Between Nutrition-Focused Instagram Accounts And Nutrition Knowledge And Food Choices In Instagram Users, Briana Bender, Cenida Gomez-Flores

Loma Linda University Research Reports

Background: Instagram is a fairly unregulated social media platform that is reported as having over 250 million daily users. As this social network is frequently used to seek out health-related information, misleading nutrition information could potentially have a detrimental effect on the public’s health. Thus, it may be beneficial for nutrition and dietetic practitioners to be present on Instagram to offer credible nutrition information to the many Instagram users.

Objective: To examine the effects that nutrition-focused Instagram accounts have on nutrition knowledge and food choices of Instagram users.

Design: A cross-sectional random sample of Instagram users completed …

The Effects, Perceptions, And Attitudes Of Previously Sedentary Individuals Starting An Exercise Program, Arlene Moreno, Megan Rasmussen

Loma Linda University Research Reports

Background: Many Americans do not eat healthfully or exercise, which is associated with higher risk of disease. Nutrition and exercise awareness have increased, but people experience barriers preventing lifestyle change. Limited research has been completed on the impact of nutrition education on dietary intake.

Objective: Examine whether starting an exercise program with or without nutrition education can influence dietary choices in previously sedentary individuals, and to determine their perceptions and attitudes.

Design: Mixed methods study gathering quantitative data through a food frequency questionnaire, InBody test, and demographics/exercise activity survey. Qualitative data was gathered through focus groups. Participants …

How Well Do The Eating Habits Of Registered Dietitian Nutritionists' In The United States Align With Their Teaching Patterns?, Kathleen Anderson, Shannon Hurley, Levi Maeschen

Loma Linda University Research Reports

Background: Dietary Guidelines for Americans is a resource available and designed for professionals to help people make healthy choices to avoid chronic disease. Exploration of the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) core health values may improve the profession’s ability to address gaps in understanding health beliefs and behaviors.

Objective: To determine whether the teaching patterns of RDNs align with their individual eating habits through a self-selected survey.

Design: Quantitative study design.

Participants/Setting: An email was sent to approximately 5,000 RDNs through the Commission of Dietetic Registration registry and 425 responded. The anonymous survey consisted of two major domains: …

Nutrinews: June, 2020, Department Of Nutrition And Dietetics, University Of North Florida

NutriNews

This issue features Research around the world: High Prevalence of suboptimal vitamin B12 in young adult women of south Asian and European ethnicity, do alternative milks compare nutritionally to cow's milk?

Do Physicians Perceive The Roles Of Nutritionists And Registered Dietitian Nutritionists As Different?, William Ramirez, Megan Williams

Loma Linda University Research Reports

Background: Dietitians are still divided on whether to use the credential Registered Dietitian (RD) or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN). The option for dietitians to utilize RDN gained support in a 2013 joint committee meeting. The ambiguity between the terms dietitian and nutritionist leave many individuals unable to discern between the two. The opportunity for dietitians to treat greater quantities of patients is influenced by physicians’ understanding of dietitians’ roles and the public's understanding of services they provide.

Objective: To determine how the terms dietitian and nutritionist are understood and referred to in the healthcare setting and whether RD …

Snapshot Of Select Cancer Patient’S Dietary Intakes Prior To Chemotherapy And Alignment To Dietary Guidelines For Americans Recommendations, Claire Chappuis, Annabel Hong, Sandra Ochoa

Loma Linda University Research Reports

Background. Nutrition is a relevant concern for patients with cancer, as malnutrition has been associated with poor outcomes in cancer treatment. The period after a cancer diagnosis and prior to chemotherapy represents a window of opportunity to assess dietary intake and optimize nutritional status before side effects of cancer treatment occur.

Objective. The objective of this study is to assess the dietary habits of patients with cancer prior to chemotherapy and compare their intake against the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) recommendations.

Design. This cross-sectional study collected data on select participants using a validated dietary intake questionnaire, …

The Effects Of A Baseball Season On Various Body Composition Measurements And Assessment Of Dietary Intake In Ncaa Di Baseball Players, Jordan Marthens

Master's Theses

Despite the known importance of body composition in relation to performance and health of athletes, this study appears to be the first, or one of very few, to evaluate body composition measures from the beginning to end of season for NCAA DI collegiate baseball players and assess their dietary intake. Baseball players from the 2015-2019 seasons were included in the study (n=78; age=19.8±1.28). DXA scans performed at the start and end of season were analyzed and 3-day food records analyzed via ESHA software were utilized to assess dietary intake. Groups were stratified to examine differences in players’ positions (Pitchers vs. …

The Trait Repertoire Enabling Cyanobacteria To Bloom Assessed Through Comparative Genomic Complexity And Metatranscriptomics, Huansheng Cao, Yohei Shimura, Morgan M. Steffen, Zhou Yang, Jingrang Lu, Allen Joel, Landon Jenkins, Masanobu Kawachi, Yanbin Yin, Ferran Garcia-Pichel

Food for Health: Publications

Water bloom development due to eutrophication constitutes a case of niche specialization among planktonic cyanobacteria, but the genomic repertoire allowing bloom formation in only some species has not been fully characterized. We posited that the habitat relevance of a trait begets its underlying genomic complexity, so that traits within the repertoire would be differentially more complex in species successfully thriving in that habitat than in close species that cannot. To test this for the case of bloom-forming cyanobacteria, we curated 17 potentially relevant query metabolic pathways and five core pathways selected according to existing ecophysiological literature. The available 113 genomes …

How Does Ginsenoside Rh2 Mitigate Adipogenesis In Cultured Cells And Obese Mice?, Longyun Zhang, Carlos Virgous, Hongwei Si

Human Sciences Faculty Research

Ginsenoside Rh2, an intermediate metabolite of ginseng, but not naturally occurring, has recently drawn attention because of its anticancer effect. However, it is not clear if and how Rh2 inhibits preadipocytes differentiation. In the present study, we hypothesized that ginsenoside Rh2 attenuates adipogenesis through regulating the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) pathway both in cells and obese mice. Different concentrations of Rh2 were applied both in 3T3-L1 cells and human primary preadipocytes to determine if Rh2 inhibits cell differentiation. Dietary Rh2 was administered to obese mice to determine if Rh2 prevents obesity in vivo. The mRNA and protein expression of …

Neuroprotection Against Alzheimer’S And Lifespan Extension Induced By Dietary Restriction Are Associated With Metabolomic Changes And Depend On Oxidative Resistance Protein 1 (Oxr1), George W. Brownridge Iii

Natural Sciences and Mathematics | Biological Sciences Master's Theses

Dietary restriction (DR) has been demonstrated to be a robust means of extending the healthspan and lifespan, along with improving cognitive performance in various model organisms from yeast to primates, possibly by mediating neuroprotection. We utilized the Drosophila melanogaster model organism to better understand the molecular pathways that enable DR-induced benefits. By performing a genome-wide associated screening of the Drosophila Genetic Reference Panel (DGRP) that catalogues all natural genetic variants, we discovered that Oxidative resistance protein 1 (OXR1) showed the most significant difference in expression between DR and the inverse intervention of ad libitum (AL). Our research found that OXR1 …

Culinary Education Programs For Children In Low-Income Households: A Scoping Review, Priscilla P Li, Guisela Mackey, Chishinga Callender, Jayna M Dave, Norma Olvera, Shana Alford, Debbe Thompson

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

Child obesity in the United States is at an all-time high, particularly among underserved populations. Home-cooked meals are associated with lower rates of obesity. Helping children develop culinary skills has been associated with improved nutrition. The purpose of this study is to report results from a scoping review of culinary education interventions with children from low-income families. Three databases and hand searches of relevant articles were examined. Retained articles met inclusionary criteria. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed, as appropriate. A data extraction template was developed. Data were independently extracted and verified. Only …

Teacher Evaluation Of An Integrated Nutrition Curriculum For Mississippi Schools, Janiya A. Davis

Honors Theses

The prevalence of childhood obesity in the United States has more than tripled over the last four decades from 5 percent in 1978 to 18.5 percent in 2016, and according to the Mississippi Obesity Action Plan, 40.4% of Mississippi elementary school children (grades K-5) were either overweight or obese. Some reports have suggested that Mississippi’s overall obesity rate could reach 66.7% by 2030. Although the literature on best practices for the prevention of this condition is limited, some success has been achieved through the use of school-based nutrition interventions, in which children are taught how to make healthy food choices. …

Exploring The Relationship Between Dietary Self-Monitoring With A Mobile App And Weight Change, Jason Payne

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background: Approximately 70% of the adult population in the United States has overweight or obesity and increased risk for developing chronic diseases. Dietary self-monitoring adherence using a paper diary is associated with weight loss; however, few studies have examined this association with dietary self-monitoring apps. Objectives: 1) explore if an association exists between app-based dietary self-monitoring and weight change among adults with overweight or obesity and 2) explore the relationships between the frequency, consistency, and completeness of self-monitoring and weight change. Methods: Participants self-monitored dietary intake for 8 weeks using the app Calorie Counter by FatSecret. Participants were assigned …

Compensatory Behaviors During A 12-Week Vigorous Interval Intervention In Post-Bariatric Men And Women, Kristen Byrne

Masters Theses, 2020-current

Strong links have been recognized between sedentary time, higher BMI, and waist circumference among post-operative bariatric surgery patients. The time-efficient aspects of the High Intensity Interval Training show a significant influence in creating a habitual strategic exercise for fighting obesity and controlling compensatory components. Ten post-operative bariatric participants (9 females, 1 male) with BMI of 33.65 ± 2.90 kg/m², undergoing a 12-week Vigorous Intensity Interval Training (VIIT) program, were assessed for the compensatory mechanisms of sedentary behavior and caloric intake. Participants were evaluated through 4-day food intake records and ActivPal accelerometers, assessed using Nutrition Data System for Research …

Effect Of Protein, Fat, And Both Protein And Fat On The Glycemic Response Of A High Glycemic Index Meal, Muhammed Taai

Theses & Dissertations

Research Focus: Elevated blood glucose (BG) levels from a diet high in refined carbohydrates, even in the absence of diabetes, may increase the risk for chronic diseases including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity. The purpose of this study was to determine if supplementation of a high glycemic load breakfast with protein, fat, or a combination of the two attenuates the glycemic response in non-diabetic subjects.

Research Methods: Thirteen healthy adults, age 24.7±4y, BMI 25.1±4.5 completed four trials, having fasted 8-12h for this randomized, double-blind crossover study.

Fasting BG was measured, then subjects consumed 2 slices of white …

Breakfast Boost Study: Defining The Role Of Breakfast Macronutrient Composition On Markers Of Childhood Obesity, Caroline Ganoung

Human Nutrition and Hospitality Management Undergraduate Honors Theses

Abstract

Background: Childhood obesity is a serious problem in the United States, affecting ~19% of children 2-19 years of age. Breakfast is a key component of a healthy diet and can positively impact children’s health. However, there has been a steady decline in breakfast consumption in children over the past 40 years.

Methods: The objective of this study was to determine if breakfast macronutrient composition, protein (PRO)-based breakfast (30 g protein, 31 g carbohydrate, 11.7 g fat) or an isocaloric (360 kcal) carbohydrate (CHO)-based breakfast (13 g protein, 48 g carbohydrate, 11.7 g fat), can influence postprandial appetite and food …

Nutrinews: May, 2020, Department Of Nutrition And Dietetics, University Of North Florida

NutriNews

This issue features Vacation Fun and Physically Distancing, Lend a wing, Why Communication is Key in Nutrition, Tips in maintaining health during a crisis

A Feasibility Study On The Implementation Of A Web-Based Intuitive Eating Program In A University Setting, Jaime Gnau

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

This research reports on the feasibility of implementing a web-based intuitive eating (IE) program to employees through a university employee wellness department at Missouri State University (MSU). Barriers and facilitators to program participation were also identified and discussed.

Background: Ten IE principles present an evidence-based strategy for reducing incidence of weight cycling and improving one’s relationship with food and self, and reducing health risks associated with chronic dieting and weight regain. Offering web-based programming reduces barriers to program enrollment but is also associated with high rates of attrition.

Methods: The program was developed utilizing the PRECEED-PROCEDE model with application of …

The Impact Of Stress On Diet, Sleep, And Exercise Amongst College Students, Jessica Rizzo

Senior Honors Projects

Stress is something that everyone faces in their lifetime and has an everlasting impact on their health. College students face high levels of stress throughout the semester, but how is that impacting their behavior? I conducted a survey alongside Dr. Melanson, a professor in the Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, to see just how college students are reacting to stress. The survey was circulated to different departments and classes to achieve a widespread collection of data. The survey remained completely anonymous and posed questions about eating, exercise, and sleep habits, along with questions on demographics and stress levels. Our …

A Protocol To Increase Referral Rates To Diabetic Education, David M. Rokser

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

In 2015, approximately 30.3 million Americans, including 10.5% of the population of Minnesota, had been diagnosed with diabetes mellitus (American Diabetes Association, 2019). Increased risk of diabetic complications including neuropathy, retinopathy, nephropathy, cardiovascular disease, and chronic wounds has been associated with an elevated hemoglobin A1C (HgA1C). Formal diabetic education has been shown to be a cost-effective intervention to reduce HgA1C. The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion published an objective within HealthyPeople 2020 that seeks to increase the percentage of diabetics receiving formal diabetic education in the United States from 46.9% of adults to 58.4%. The purpose of this …

The Effects Of A Nutritional Intervention On Healthy Eating Habits And Body Mass Index, Kelley Eshenaur

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

In the US, overweight and obesity are growing concerns, as both can have life altering consequences if not prevented or treated. Since 2000, there has been nearly a 10% increase of adults who are obese, from 30.5% (85.8 million) to 39.8% (93.9 million) in 2016 (CDC, 2017). These conditions are preventable with early intervention and motivation. Obesity statistics are especially of interest during the transition to young adulthood. The purpose of this project was to improve student outcomes by identifying barriers, effective strategies, and healthy choices that would ultimately impact weight, increasing healthy food choices, and decreasing overall BMI in …

An Evaluation Of The Eating Behaviors Of Honors College Undergraduate Students At The University Of Mississippi, Anna Bouthillier

Honors Theses

Eating disorders are defined as an illness that changes one’s relationship with food, that ultimately affects one’s emotions, thoughts, and physical well-being. Three types of eating disorders most commonly diagnosed are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and disordered eating. It is important to note that disordered eating is a term used to describe abnormal eating behaviors and feelings related to food that may or may not fall into a certain diagnostic category (Anderson, 2018). Many college students today are diagnosed with an eating disorder or disordered eating as a result of the increasing anxiety and pressures experienced at this age.

The …

Effects Of Concord Grape Juice Alone Or With Meals On Glycemia, Appetite And Cognitive Function In Healthy Adults, Aidan M. Hannon

Nutrition Science Honors Theses

Literature suggests that dietary polyphenols and intensely flavored foods/beverages can have a positive effect on glucose homeostasis. The purpose of this study was to determine if the high phenolic content and strong flavor intensity of Concord Grape Juice (CGJ) could hold beneficial effects on appetite, glycemia, and cognitive function.

Estrogen Receptor-Α Expressing Neurons In The Ventrolateral Vmh Regulate Glucose Balance, Yanlin He, Pingwen Xu, Chunmei Wang, Yan Xia, Meng Yu, Yongjie Yang, Kaifan Yu, Xing Cai, Na Qu, Kenji Saito, Julia Wang, Ilirjana Hyseni, Matthew Robertson, Badrajee Piyarathna, Min Gao, Sohaib A Khan, Feng Liu, Rui Chen, Cristian Coarfa, Zhongming Zhao, Qingchun Tong, Zheng Sun, Yong Xu

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

Brain glucose-sensing neurons detect glucose fluctuations and prevent severe hypoglycemia, but mechanisms mediating functions of these glucose-sensing neurons are unclear. Here we report that estrogen receptor-α (ERα)-expressing neurons in the ventrolateral subdivision of the ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus (vlVMH) can sense glucose fluctuations, being glucose-inhibited neurons (GI-ERαvlVMH) or glucose-excited neurons (GE-ERαvlVMH). Hypoglycemia activates GI-ERαvlVMH neurons via the anoctamin 4 channel, and inhibits GE-ERαvlVMH neurons through opening the ATP-sensitive potassium channel. Further, we show that GI-ERαvlVMH neurons preferentially project to the medioposterior arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus (mpARH) and GE-ERαvlVMH neurons preferentially project to the dorsal Raphe nuclei (DRN). Activation of ERαvlVMH …

Deprivation Matters: Understanding Associations Between Neighbourhood Deprivation, Unhealthy Food Outlets, Unhealthy Dietary Behaviours And Child Body Size Using Structural Equation Modelling., Victoria Egli, Matthew Hobbs, Jordan A. Carlson, Niamh Donnellan, Lisa Mackay, Daniel Exeter, Karen Villanueva, Caryn Zinn, Melody Smith

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND: Children residing in neighbourhoods of high deprivation are more likely to have poorer health, including excess body size. While the availability of unhealthy food outlets are increasingly considered important for excess child body size, less is known about how neighbourhood deprivation, unhealthy food outlets and unhealthy dietary behaviours are interlinked.

METHODS: This study involves children aged 8-13 years (n=1029) and resided in Auckland, New Zealand. Unhealthy dietary behaviours (frequency of consumption of unhealthy snacks and drinks) and food purchasing behaviour on the route to and from school were self-reported. Height and waist circumference were measured to calculate waist-to-height ratio …

Plant-Based Diet: How It Affects Health, Sarah Marsland

Senior Honors Projects

This research project aims to investigate the relationship between plant-based dieting and overall health, specifically the prevention and reversal of chronic disease. Two subjects committed to eating a plant-based diet comprised of primarily vegetables, fruits, whole grains and non-processed foods for six weeks. Before beginning, they were asked about their current health status, including a complete health history, and their knowledge of plant-based eating. Throughout the research period, the subjects shared what they were eating, challenges they faced, and any benefits they noticed. Upon completion of the diet, they answered questions about their experience. With this information, the researcher was …

Improving Identification Of Pediatric Feeding Dysfunction Among Registered Dietitian Nutritionists, April Litchford

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

All Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDN) undergo extensive training to develop the ability to improve dietary intake among individuals of all ages. Treating children (0-18 years of age) is often challenging and requires specialized training. One area that is particularly challenging is identifying children that may not be able to eat appropriately to sustain rapid growth and development. An online survey of RDNs that work specifically with children was conducted to better understand how RDNs are identifying and treating children with feeding problems. From the survey we learned that the methods and procedures used by RDNs for identifying and treating children …

Association Of Micronutrient Inadequacy And Body Mass Index In Young Adults, Taylor Peabody

Human Nutrition and Hospitality Management Undergraduate Honors Theses

Background

Micronutrient inadequacy has been found at higher levels in overweight and obese individuals in a broad range of ages relative to healthy weight. Insufficient micronutrient levels can have a negative impact on physical and mental health along with excess weight.

Objective

Due to health consequences related to inadequate micronutrient intake and the understanding that the general population not only fails to meet the majority of micronutrient recommendations, but is also overweight or obese, the objective of this study is to first, determine if young adults in the Northwest Arkansas Region are consuming adequate levels of micronutrients and second, if …

¡Sí, Yo Puedo Vivir Sano Con Diabetes! A Self-Management Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial For Low-Income Adults With Type 2 Diabetes In Mexico City, Robin Whittemore, Mireya Vilar-Compte, Selene De La Cerda, Roberta Delvy, Sangchoon Jeon, Soraya Burrola-Méndez, Mariana Pardo-Carrillo, Annel Lozano-Marrufo, Rafael Pérez-Escamilla

Department of Public Health Scholarship and Creative Works

Background: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a worldwide epidemic and a leading cause of death in Mexico, with a prevalence of 15.9%, and >70% of diagnosed adults have poor glycemic control [glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) >7.5%]. We developed a diabetes self-management education program contextualized to the study population, including dietary preferences, health literacy, and health system.

Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a self-management + text message program (¡Sí, Yo Puedo Vivir Sano con Diabetes!) on primary (HbA1c), and secondary behavioral (self-management), clinical, and psychosocial outcomes in adults with T2D in Mexico City.

Methods: Participants were recruited at public …

Caffeine’S Physiological And Psychological Effects, Cameron Shadaia

Honors College Theses

In my university honors research paper, I will not only take a look at the physiological and psychological effects of the body, but also the proper range of caffeine intake, the situational purposes for caffeine, the best and worst ways to introduce caffeine into the body, and popular beverages that are commonly used for caffeine consumption. This research paper draws upon a variety of studies in which caffeine was the topic of interest. The conclusion that is drawn upon is that caffeine can have many benefits if used in a proper dosage. Negative effects have a higher likelihood of occurring …