Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Commons^™

Association Of Diet Quality And Body Mass Index With Serum Ceramides In Middle-Aged Adults, Margaret Ann Drazba

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the leading causes of death worldwide and identifying CVD risk is important for determining and implementing appropriate intervention strategies. Ceramides are a class of sphingolipids that are implicated in the pathogenesis of obesity and CVD. However, their relationship to diet quality, a modifiable risk factor for CVD, is largely unknown. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to determine the association of an a priori diet quality index and body mass index (BMI) with circulating ceramides in middle-aged adults (n=96). Dietary intake was assessed using three 24-hour recalls and Nutrition Data System for Research …

Utilization Of Web‐Based App To Target Obesogenic Factors In Rural Kentucky Counties With High Rates Of Obesity, Erin M. Casey

Theses and Dissertations--Nutrition and Food Systems

Due to socioeconomic disparities and geographic isolation, rural Kentucky residents bear a greater burden of poor health compared to national averages. Specifically, rural Kentucky residents are at greater risk of becoming obese and suffering from comorbidities of obesity such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease. The purpose of the present study was two-fold. First, we the barriers to nutrition and physical activity unique to rural Kentucky counties which high proportions of obese adults (< 40%) were examined and extrapolated. Second, this information was used to develop a health and wellness app tailored to rural Kentucky counties. The objective was met via a formative assessment regarding causes for obesity in three rural Kentucky counties using focus groups. From these discussions, two major themes arose: barriers to good nutrition and physical activity, and desired web‐app features. From this assessment, FitFaceoff was developed and released into the same counties. Usage and user interaction were assessed using GoogleAnalytics™ software. Analysis revealed poor user liking and unsuccessful implementation of FitFaceoff, however further qualitative research is needed to evaluate poor user reception of FitFaceoff and possible future directions.

Assessing Malnutrition In Liver Disease Patients Being Evaluated For Transplant Using The Nutrition Focused Physical Exam, Madison Hilgendorf

Theses and Dissertations--Nutrition and Food Systems

Patients with liver disease have an increased risk for malnutrition because of side effects of the disease. The Nutrition Focused Physical Exam (NFPE) was developed for nutrition professionals to aid physicians in a nutrition-based diagnosis of malnutrition. The purpose of this study was to examine the NFPE for its validity in liver disease patients being evaluated for transplant. In addition, the NFPE was used to assess incidence and severity of malnutrition in end stage liver disease patients and compare these results to already developed malnutrition tools such as the Patient Generated-Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA), Triceps Skinfolds (TSF), Mid-Arm Circumference (MAC), …

Consumer Preference Of Vanilla Ice Cream, Julie Anne Martin

Theses and Dissertations--Nutrition and Food Systems

Consumers have a variety of ice cream available for purchase through retail stores, including: standard commercial, specialty store, organic, and premium commercial options. This study used a sensory analysis to solicit responses from a group of adults to determine consumer preference and acceptance of four vanilla ice creams based on taste. Consumers preferred (i) organic ice cream to standard, commercial ice cream and (ii) specialty store ice cream to standard, commercial ice cream. Additionally, consumers could identify (i) the organic ice cream when compared to the standard, commercial ice cream and (ii) the premium, commercial ice cream had more overrun …

Job Satisfaction Among Registered Dietitians In Various Settings In The United States, Jaime Martin, Marysol Zaragoza

Loma Linda University Research Reports

Abstract

Background. Registered Dietitians (RD) are employed in various practice settings, yet little is known regarding their job satisfaction. Not all states have RD licensure, perhaps influencing levels of job satisfaction.

Objective. The purpose of this graduate student research study was to analyze job satisfaction among RDs and identify influential factors in order to better equip policy- and strategy- makers.

Design. The study consisted of an anonymous online survey completed through the Qualtrics® website and an optional interview completed by email, phone, in-person, or through Zoom. RDs were recruited using flyers, word of mouth, email, and the Commission on Dietetic …

The Effectiveness Of Smoflipid On Liver Function In Pediatric Patients With Intestinal Failure Related Parenteral Nutrition Associated Liver Disease (Pnald), Chelsey Kitazawa, Kara Bates, Shannon Lew

Loma Linda University Research Reports

Abstract

Background:Parenteral nutrition (PN) is a treatment that supplies one's nutrition and hydration needs intravenously. Intravenous soybean lipid emulsions have been associated with Parenteral Nutrition Associated Liver Disease (PNALD), due to its high phytosterol content and high n-6:n-3 ratio and its propensity to mitigate inflammatory eicosanoid pathways. Composed of soybean oil, medium chain fatty acids, olive oil, and fish oil, Smoflipid may ameliorate PNALD and mitigate anti-inflammatory eicosanoid pathways.

Objective: To examine the effectiveness of Smoflipid on improving liver function and bilirubin levels on home PN-dependent children with intestinal failure related PNALD.

Design: A prospective electronic medical record review …

Effects Of Ginger Supplementation On Inflammation In Individuals, Sara Kashlan, Brenda Rodriguez, Monique Vuong

Loma Linda University Research Reports

Background. Ginger is a widely used ingredient in Southeast Asian countries and has gained increasing popularity in the Western diet due to its purported health benefits. Ginger has high antioxidant power because of its rich phytochemistry profile that contributes to its anti- inflammatory properties. While there have been animal studies, the research of ginger’s effects in humans is limited.

Objective. We sought to understand ginger’s effects on commonly assayed inflammatory biomarkers—C-Reactive Protein (CRP), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), and Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha (TNF- α)—in individuals with varying levels of physical activity. We propose that ginger may lower levels of these biomarkers …

Serving Fruits And Vegetables In Kid-Friendly Shapes Increased Fruit And Vegetable Consumption In Preschool Children Aged 2-5 Years, Magdalena Cojocaru, Sarah Millard, Sara Stevenson

Loma Linda University Research Reports

Background. With childhood obesity rising, and taste preferences being influenced at an early age, it’s more important now than ever to encourage children to eat right.

Objective. To find whether shaping fruits and vegetables (F&Vs) into kid-friendly designs would increase consumption in preschool aged children.

Design. The four week long observational study took place at Loma Linda Children Academy in two stages during their normal lunch time hour. Baseline data was recorded during the first two weeks, and a month later intervention data was collected during the last two weeks. The menus served remained exactly the same …

Dark Chocolate (70% Cacao) Modulates Gamma Wave Frequencies In Vigorously Active Individuals, Sasha Silver, Ranea Al-Tikriti, Nicole Jin

Loma Linda University Research Reports

Background: Visualization and the demand to increase cognitive function to improve performance is an area of growing interest in athletes and physically active individuals. Gamma (25-45 Hz) waves, the fastest of the brainwave frequencies, are optimal for cognitive function.

Objective: Determine if savoring and ingestion of dark chocolate (70% cacao) can modulate gamma wave frequencies between visualization at a state of rest and a state of exercise performance in vigorously active individuals.

Participants/setting: The study recruited 10 vigorously active individuals from Loma Linda University. Participants’ mean age was 23.7± 2.2 years. Vigorous activity was defined by the Centers for Disease …

Proposal For A University Of Akron Chronic Condition Support Group, Kendra Taylor

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

With constant advancements in modern medicine, new opportunities are opening up to those diagnosed with chronic conditions during childhood and adolescence. Children who would have died early on due to their life-altering medical conditions are now living well into adulthood, with approximately 500,000 youth with chronic conditions turning 18 years old each year in the Unites States. Despite them having similar high school graduation rates as their peers, students with one or more chronic condition are only half as likely to graduate from college after starting. Data on this specific population while in college is very limited, but what is …

Development And Validation Of The Body Knowledge Questionnaire (Phase 2), David A. Hernandez, Cheri Ann Hernandez

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

This study evaluated the psychometric properties of the Body Knowledge Questionnaire (BKQ), an instrument that measures weight management integration: an individual’s attitudes, preferences, and behaviors associated with weight self-management. The BKQ was revised following a pilot study demonstrating its validity and reliability, and new items were added based on data gathered through four focus groups of obese and normal-weight survey completers. Additional items were derived from the extant literature on weight management and integration. A panel of 30 health professionals who work in the area of weight management, bariatrics, and nutrition science reviewed the revised BKQ for content validity. Two …

A Retrospective Comparative Analysis On The Effectiveness Of Pharmacologic Weight Loss, Emily Dunn

DNP Projects

PURPOSE:Obesity costs the U.S. roughly $147 billion in health care spending annually. There has been a call for healthcare providers to initiate all possible weight loss interventions. One treatment strategy not used to its fullest potential is that of prescribing antiobesity medications. The purpose of this project was to examine and evaluate the effectiveness of three common weight loss medications used in the treatment of obesity, including discussion and recommendations.

METHODS: This project was a single-center retrospective study comparing three different groups of patients seen at a rural weight loss clinic. The sample consisted of 84 patients seen between September …

A Web-Based Interactive Tool To Reduce Childhood Obesity Risk In Urban Minority Youth: Usability Testing Study, Sandra Verdaguer, Katrina F. Mateo, Katarzyna Wyka, Tracy A. Dennis, May May Leung

Publications and Research

Background: Childhood obesity is a serious public health issue among minority youth in the United States. Technology-enhanced approaches can be effective for promoting healthy behavior change.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to test the usability of prototypes of a Web-based interactive tool promoting healthy dietary behaviors to reduce childhood obesity risk in urban minority youth. The Web-based tool comprised a manga-style comic with interactive features (eg, sound effects, clickable pop-ups), tailored messaging, and goal setting, and was optimized for use on tablet devices.

Methods: Latino and black/African American children ages 9 to 13 years were recruited to participate …

The Use Of Social Media And Mema Technology In Comparing Compliance Rate Among Users, Reimund Serafica, Nada Lukkahatai, Brendan Tran Morris, Kelly Webber

Nursing Faculty Research

Compliance can be defined as the extent to which a person’s behavior corresponds with agreed recommendations. Within the context of lifestyle intervention, this may refer to physical activity, diet modifications, or lifestyle intervention program attendance or attrition. For lifestyle intervention programs to be successful (as measured against a variety of health and lifestyle markers), it is crucial for individuals to comply as best they can to the recommendations or instructions provided by the researchers. Those who disengage prematurely are likely to have poorer treatment outcomes. Hence, a better understanding and an added component, such as engagement, is vital to the …

Hypertension Prevalence Trends Among Mexican-Americans: Nhanes 1999-2016, Sandra S. Valencia

All Master's Theses

Hypertension is a grave health issue affecting millions of adults in the United States (US). Uncontrolled hypertension can lead to cardiovascular disease, including stroke, heart attack, and heart failure. Current National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2015-2016 data reports that 29% of US adults above the age of 18 have hypertension. The objective of this project was to determine current and past hypertension prevalence trends among Mexican Americans (MAs) and non-Hispanic whites (NH-Whites) using NHANES data from 1999 to 2016, as well as the current American Heart Association (AHA) and American College of Cardiology (ACC) blood pressure guidelines of …

January 2018, Swosu Bulldog Wellness Committee

SWOSU BULLDOG WELLNESS

No abstract provided.

The Role Of Choice In Weight Loss Strategies: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Jill. M. Leavy, P. M. Clifton, Jennifer B. Keogh

Articles

Effective strategies to achieve weight loss and long-term weight loss maintenance have proved to be elusive. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to explore whether the choice of weight loss strategy is associated with greater weight loss. An electronic search was conducted using the MEDLINE (Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online, or MEDLARS Online), EMBASE (Excerpta Medica database), CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature), and PsycINFO (Database of Abstracts of Literature in the Field of Psychology, produced by the American Psychological Association and distributed on the association’s APA PsycNET) databases for clinical trials and randomized controlled …

Awareness And Prevalence Of Human Milk Sharing And Selling In The United States, Elizabeth O'Sullivan, Sheelagh R. Geraghty, Kathleen Maher Rasmussen

Articles

There are limited data available about the prevalence of human milk (HM) sharing and selling in the general population. We aimed to describe attitudes toward HM selling among participants in a qualitative‐interview study and prevalence of HM sharing and selling among a national sample of U.S. mothers. Mothers (n = 41) in our qualitative‐interview study felt that sharing or donating HM was more common than selling; none had ever purchased or sold HM. Three themes related to HM selling emerged from this work: questioning the motives of those selling HM, HM selling limits access to HM to those with money, …

Blunted Serum 25(Oh)D Response To Vitamin D3 Supplementation In Children With Autism, Conor Kerley, Basil Elnazir, Peter Greally, David Coghlan

Articles

Introduction: Data suggest a potential role for vitamin D in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) prevention and treatment. It is likely that the serum response to vitamin D supplementation contributes to its effectiveness. Multiple factors affect serum vitamin D 25(OH)D response to supplementation.

Methods: We conducted post-hoc analysis of two double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trials (RCT) of vitamin D3 supplementation, one RCT involving children with ASD and another involving children with asthma. Both trials were conducted in the same geographic location (Dublin, Ireland, 53°N), conducted over Winter season and utilized the same vitamin D3 dose (2000 IU/day).

Results: We …

Independent And Interactive Associations Of Negative Affect, Restraint, And Impulsivity In Relation To Binge Eating Among Women, Tyler B. Mason, Kathryn E. Smith, Jason M. Lavender, Robin J. Lewis

Psychology Faculty Publications

There is growing recognition that impulsivity may serve as an underlying risk factor for binge eating. In addition, the association of impulsivity with binge eating may be moderated by other affective and cognitive risk factors. This study examined independent and interactive associations of negative affect, dietary restraint, and facets of impulsivity with binge eating. A diverse sample of 566 undergraduate women completed online questionnaires of study variables. Results revealed a three-way interaction of negative affect, dietary restraint, and attentional impulsivity in relation to binge eating. Women who were high on each of these three variables reported the greatest levels of …