Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Commons^™

Sex Differences In Response To Diet Enriched With Glutathione Precursors In The Aging Heart, Aude Angelini, Grecia Garcia Marquez, Anna Malovannaya, Marta L Fiorotto, Alexander Saltzman, Antrix Jain, Joann Trial, George E Taffet, Katarzyna A Cieslik

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Common features of the aging heart are dysregulated metabolism, inflammation, and fibrosis. Elevated oxidative stress is another hallmark of cardiac aging that can exacerbate each of these conditions. We hypothesize that by increasing natural antioxidant levels (glutathione), we will improve cardiac function. Twenty-one-month-old mice were fed glycine and N-acetyl cysteine (GlyNAC; glutathione precursors)-supplemented or control diets for 12 weeks. Heart function was monitored longitudinally, and the exercise performance was determined at the end of the study. We found that the GlyNAC diet was beneficial for old male but not old female mice, leading to an increase of Ndufb8 expression (a …

Keeping Kids Safe At Meals: Preventing And Responding To Choking, Mia Dustin, Savannah Daines, Stacy Bevan, Palak Gupta, Mateja R. Savoie-Roskos

All Current Publications

Introducing solid foods is an exciting developmental milestone, but it can also raise concerns about choking for parents and caregivers. Choking occurs when an object, such as food or a toy, blocks a child’s airway and prevents air from moving in and out of the lungs. This fact sheet offers practical guidance on how to prevent food-related choking, recognize the signs of a choking emergency, and what to do if a child is choking.

Nourishing Change In Houston, Texas: Exploring Grocery Shopping Behaviours And Fruit And Vegetable Consumption Among Low-Income Families In The Brighter Bites Program, Victoria Kwentua, Allison Marshall, Ru-Jye Chuang, Jessica Chen, Christine Markham, Mallika Mathur, Mike Pomeroy, Megan Hall, Shreela Sharma

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

OBJECTIVE: We qualitatively examine the grocery shopping behaviours and fruit and vegetable consumption of low-income families participating in the Brighter Bites program in Houston, Texas.

DESIGN: We used a single-group observational study design. We used (1) purposive sampling of schools and (2) convenience sampling of parents/caregivers to recruit participants. Research staff conducted three face-to-face qualitative focus groups in Spanish and English. Transcripts were coded using deductive and inductive reasoning.

SETTING: Three elementary schools serving low-income families in Houston, Texas, in February-May of 2022.

PARTICIPANTS: Brighter Bites parents/caregivers from the 2021-2022 school year.

RESULTS: Three primary themes emerged: (1) child involvement …

A Β-Hydroxybutyrate Shunt Pathway Generates Anti-Obesity Ketone Metabolites, Maria Dolores Moya-Garzon, Mengjie Wang, Veronica L Li, Xuchao Lyu, Wei Wei, Alan Sheng-Hwa Tung, Steffen H Raun, Meng Zhao, Laetitia Coassolo, Hashim Islam, Barbara Oliveira, Yuqin Dai, Jan Spaas, Antonio Delgado-Gonzalez, Kenyi Donoso, Aurora Alvarez-Buylla, Francisco Franco-Montalban, Anudari Letian, Catherine P Ward, Lichao Liu, Katrin J Svensson, Emily L Goldberg, Christopher D Gardner, Jonathan P Little, Steven M Banik, Yong Xu, Jonathan Z Long

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

β-Hydroxybutyrate (BHB) is an abundant ketone body. To date, all known pathways of BHB metabolism involve the interconversion of BHB and primary energy intermediates. Here, we identify a previously undescribed BHB secondary metabolic pathway via CNDP2-dependent enzymatic conjugation of BHB and free amino acids. This BHB shunt pathway generates a family of anti-obesity ketone metabolites, the BHB-amino acids. Genetic ablation of CNDP2 in mice eliminates tissue amino acid BHB-ylation activity and reduces BHB-amino acid levels. The most abundant BHB-amino acid, BHB-Phe, is a ketosis-inducible congener of Lac-Phe that activates hypothalamic and brainstem neurons and suppresses feeding. Conversely, CNDP2-KO mice exhibit …

A Survey On Food Ingredient Substitutions, Hyunwook Kim, Revathy Venkataramanan, Amit P. Sheth

Publications

Diet plays a crucial role in managing chronic conditions and overall well-being. As people become more selective about their food choices, finding recipes that meet dietary needs is important. Ingredient substitution is key to adapting recipes for dietary restrictions, allergies, and availability constraints. However, identifying suitable substitutions is challenging as it requires analyzing the flavor, functionality, and health suitability of ingredients. With the advancement of AI, researchers have explored computational approaches to address ingredient substitution. This survey paper provides a comprehensive overview of the research in this area, focusing on five key aspects: (i) datasets and data sources used to …

Diabetes, Edwin Espinosa Vazquez

CSU Tower Day

1.2 million Americans are affected with diabetes each year.

○ Increase in hospitalizations, emergency room visits

● Diabetes has a higher rate of prevalence among the middle aged, older aged and non- Americans in the US.

● Diabetes presents a high risk of Cardiovascular Disease, Kidney failure, blindness, etc.

● Exercise, dietary changes, and medication can prevent or delay from the onset of type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Functional Foods In Society, Annie Lin, Carolyn Jackson

Faculty Books and Book Chapters

This booklet captures highlights from our Functional Foods in Society in-person activities, where NSU Graduate Nutrition students explore food as medicine through hands-on learning.

Inside, you'll find simple, nourishing dishes and activities using ingredients like anti-inflammatory spices, phytonutrients, quality proteins, and healthy fats.

We hope this inspires you to bring more intention, joy, and nourishment into your everyday meals!

Exploring The Adoption, Perceptions, And Opportunities Of Artificial Intelligence Among Registered Dietitians In The United States, Hong Liu, Mariana Tadros, Edward Bitok, Liang Ji

Loma Linda University Research Reports

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping healthcare, yet its integration into nutrition and dietetics remains underexplored. This study investigates the adoption, perceptions, and opportunities related to AI technologies among Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) in the United States. Our survey was opened in April 2025 and is still ongoing, having gathered responses from over 70 RDNs. Findings reveal that while 58% of RDNs report some familiarity with AI, only 13% consider themselves very or extremely familiar. Attitudes toward AI are generally positive, with 56% viewing AI’s impact on dietetics as positive and 70% believing it could at least moderately improve patient outcomes. …

Nutritional Knowledge And Perceptions Of The Dietetics Field Among Blue-Collar Workers In The Inland Empire, Sabrina Guerrero, Anthony Morales, Isabel Tjajadi, Liang Ji, Kyndra Woosley, Lesley Ann Foster-Nicholas

Loma Linda University Research Reports

Blue-collar workers often encounter significant barriers to healthful eating. This study aimed to assess the nutritional knowledge and perceptions of the dietetics field among blue-collar workers in the Inland Empire. Eighty-four eligible participants completed an anonymous online survey assessing nutrition knowledge and views on Registered Dietitians (RDs). The average nutrition knowledge score among surveyed blue-collar workers was 20 out of 25 (80%). There were no significant differences in nutrition knowledge based on RD visit history, age, gender, or occupation. However, significant disparities in nutrition knowledge were observed across racial/ethnic groups, with Asian participants scoring lower and White participants scoring higher. …

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 …

Community-Engaged Approach To Improve Food Access And Consumption Of Fruits And Vegetables In A Rural Appalachian Community, Courtney Luecking, Makenzie Barr, Dawn Brewer, Kathryn M. Cardarelli

Dietetics and Human Nutrition Faculty Publications

Background/Objectives: Community–academic partnerships offer unique opportunities to leverage expertise and resources to modify structural factors that address community priorities. However, few in-depth examples of successful partnerships in rural communities to improve food security are available. This manuscript describes the process of building a partnership to reduce food insecurity in a rural Kentucky community.

Methods: The research team worked with Cooperative Extension to form a community advisory board (CAB) representative of diverse sectors of the community who had interest in food security, agriculture, and/or nutrition. The CAB convened regularly, in-person or virtually, to review community assessment information and identify, select, and …

Applied Research Division Research At A Glance: 2025, Shellie R. Hubbard Ma

Institute of Child Nutrition, Applied Research Division

The Institute of Child Nutrition Applied Research Division (ICN ARD) conducts applied research to address operational issues affecting child nutrition programs and support continuous program improvement. During the 2024–2025 reporting year, the division completed research focused on workforce development, training needs, culinary competencies, school food trends, and operational challenges in child nutrition settings.

Major projects included studies examining training needs and delivery preferences of child nutrition professionals, challenges affecting Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) operations, and the development of a Competencies, Knowledge, and Skills (CKS) resource for chefs working in school nutrition programs. Findings informed the creation of …

Can Fat Absorption Be Enhanced With A Novel Medical Food?, Cassie Brown

2025

No abstract provided.

Optimizing Endogenous Glp-1 Holistically: A Nursing Led Approach To Sustainable Weight Loss Without Glp-1 Agonist Use, Taylee A. Carscadden

Nursing | Senior Theses

The increase in off-label Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist drugs, such as semaglutide (Ozempic), for weight loss has sparked concern in regards to the not fully understood drug outcomes and safety. GLP-1 agonists were originally developed to manage Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, but have been widely prescribed for obesity management despite minimal research on prolonged use in non-diabetic patients. This study explores how off-label use of GLP-1 agonist drugs exacerbate various adverse health outcomes, highlighting gastrointestinal complications, and the very possible dependency on drugs for weight management. It will also examine the efficacy of nursing-led education on the implementation of …

Impact Of Whole Foods Diet On Cognitive Functions In Children From Low-Income Families With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (Adhd), Jasmine Le

Nursing | Senior Theses

Purpose

Current studies have examined dietary interventions for ADHD, emphasizing the value of good nutrition, the lack of nutritional foods in schools, and the difficulties low-income families have finding healthy options. Nutritious food has been shown to enhance cognitive abilities, yet many low-income households still lack access to it. This quantitative research will provide vital information for nurses and healthcare professionals on how they can assist these populations.

Methods

A quantitative randomized controlled design study will be conducted, with students separated into an experimental and control group. The objective will be to evaluate the effects of nursing nutrition education and …

Dose–Response Effects Of Short-Term Rhodiola Rosea (Golden Root Extract) Supplementation On Anaerobic Exercise Performance And Cognitive Function In Resistance-Trained Athletes: A Randomized, Crossover, Double-Blind, And Placebo-Controlled Study, Majid Koozehchian, Andrew T. Newton, Gina Mabrey, Faith M. Bonness, Rafaela Rafajlovska, Alireza Naderi

Research, Publications & Creative Work

Background: Rhodiola rosea (RR) is marketed as an adaptogen; however, evidence for acute/short-term effects—and especially dose–response effects—in trained adults across performance and cognition is limited.

Objective: Test whether RR improves resistance performance (strength, power) and executive function in resistance-trained adults using a randomized crossover with placebo and a capsule-free baseline.

Methods: In a randomized, double-blind, crossover trial with four conditions—no-capsule control (CON), placebo (PL), low-dose RR (LDRR), and high-dose RR (HDRR). Twenty-seven resistance-trained adults completed the conditions. Day-7 testing included bench press (BP) and leg press (LP) 1-repetition maximum (1RM); a third set to failure at 60% 1RM with set-3 …

Body Mass Index, Sleep, And Food Insecurity Predict Prevalence Of Anxiety And Depression In College Students, Makenzie Barr-Porter, Amelia Sullivan, Jade Mcnamara

Dietetics and Human Nutrition Faculty Publications

This study aimed to assess the relationship between mental health, health behaviors, and food security in young adults in a university environment. Young adults (N = 536) at two United States universities completed a survey assessing health behaviors and characteristics. Logistic regression determined the odds of anxiety and/or depression based on gender identity, body mass index (BMI), food security status (FSS), and sleep restfulness. Over one-third of students were food insecure (36.7%), and almost all reported anxiety (57%) and/or depression (39.1%). Students who identified as female, reported very low FSS, poor sleep, and had higher BMI were at greater odds …

Novel Insights Into Beta Cell Er Stress Chop And It's Role In Hfpef Development, Balaji Srinivas, Paula Fortuno, Hongmei Peng, Jiang Xu, Hamid Suhail, Hani N. Sabbah, Nour-Eddine Rhaleb, Khalid Matrougui

Department of Physiological Sciences Faculty Publications

Introduction: Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a multifactorial cardiovascular disorder characterized by diastolic dysfunction and often associated with hypertension and metabolic disturbances. We aimed to determine the inter-relationship between C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) in b-cells and HFpEF development.

Methods: Eight-week-old male mice b-cell^flox/flox and b-cell^CHOP-/- were randomly divided into four groups: control b-cell^flox/flox and b-cell^CHOP-/- mice subjected to standard diet and water. b -cell^flox/flox and b-cell^CHOP-/- mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) and L-NAME (0.5 g/L) for five weeks. A comprehensive cardiovascular, metabolic, and histological evaluation was conducted.

Results: Following …

Assessing The Effectiveness Of A Modified Cook Together Eat Together Program On Food Resource Management Behaviors In A Rural Setting, Johanna K. Poysti

Theses and Dissertations--Nutrition and Food Systems

This study evaluated the effectiveness of a modified, hybrid Cook Together, Eat Together (CTET) program on food resource management behaviors in a rural setting. A six-week intervention combining virtual and in-person sessions aimed to improve health behaviors, food resource management skills, and self-efficacy. Although most behavioral changes were not statistically significant, participants reported increased confidence in cooking healthy meals on a budget. Positive qualitative feedback from focus group discussions indicated program feasibility and engagement. Strengths and limitations of the study were discussed as well as recommendations for future research were given.

Implementing A Remote Patient Monitoring Program To Improve Nutrition Status In Infant With Cystic Fibrosis, Jessica Jones, Stacie Hunter, Kelli Williams, Petrissa Ncomo, Rapheal Peeples, Alex Pottorff, Lauren Lazar, Meghana Sathe

2025

No abstract provided.