Browsing by Subject "Nutrition"
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Item A comparison of the nutritional value of grain sorghum with that of corn and wheat(Texas Tech University, 1973-05) Stanaland, Roberta DuttonNot availableItem A pilot study to evaluate the impact of a six-week after-school nutrition and physical activity program in elementary school children(2008-08) Sitton, Erin Leigh; Reed, Debra; Huffman, Lynn; Massey-Stokes, MarilynThe prevalence of childhood overweight in the United States continues to grow to epidemic levels. As a result, there is a great need for effective health promotion programs to help prevent childhood overweight. The after-school setting is a ready-made avenue for health promotion interventions that to date has been relatively unexplored. This study was a pilot test of the after-school nutrition and physical activity program, Tech Fun Days, at an elementary school in Lubbock, TX. Another local elementary school was included in the study as a comparison school and did not receive the intervention. Both schools were part of the YWCA’s after school program, Y-Care. The Tech Fun Days program was a six-week intervention that consisted of nutrition, snack, and physical activity components; it was implemented twice a week for one hour in place of the normal Y-Care programming. Texas Tech University students enrolled in the Field Work in Nutrition course implemented this program in the Fall of 2006. These university students received extensive training on how to effectively teach the scripted program lessons to the target population. Evaluation of the intervention consisted of intermediate survey measures (Student Survey, Family Survey, and Shelf Inventory) which were completed by parents and students at both the intervention and comparison schools, at pre- and post-intervention points. The internal consistency of the survey measures, which was determined by Cronbach’s Alpha, ranged from á = 0.42 to 0.69. Test-retest reliability was not significant for any of the survey measures. To obtain an objective measure of students’ physical activity, pedometers were worn by the students at both schools for one hour twice a week during the study period. Based on observation, the Tech Fun Days program was successfully implemented within the after-school setting. The university students who directly implemented the program were key contributors to the success of its implementation. The students at the intervention school who participated in the Tech Fun Days program were very receptive to the program and greatly enjoyed it. Based on the results from the analysis of the survey measures at pre- and post-intervention points, the Tech Fun Days program significantly impacted the students’ nutrition knowledge (p < .05) and students’ total day physical activity behavior (p<.001) at the intervention school. In addition to these results, this study also provided many new insights into the implementation of health promotion in the after-school setting.Item A study of the food preferences and eating practices of women students in Texas Technological College(Texas Tech University, 1950-08) Godfrey, JaneNot availableItem A study of the relationship of a restricted adequate diet to the tolerance of albino rats to sublethal irradiation(Texas Tech University, 1960-08) Warren, Shirley WilliamsNot availableItem A survey of food practices of sixty-three families in Lubbock, Texas(Texas Tech University, 1943-05) Drake, PhyllisNot availableItem A survey of supplementation practices in hemodialysis clinics(Texas Tech University, 2009-08) Sides, Jennifer L.; Boylan, Lee M.Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a condition that is characterized by a progressive decrease in kidney function. With CKD and hemodialysis treatments come many complications that increase the risk for gaps in nutritional intake. Since renal patients are at increased risk for nutritional deficiencies, they may benefit from the use of dietary supplements. Current standards do exist, but there is much controversy concerning the usage of vitamins and minerals to lower risk for nutritional deficiencies, inflammation, and incidence of cardiovascular disease among this population. The purpose of this study was to examine the supplementation practices of dietitians working with CKD patients receiving hemodialysis. A survey instrument was created to evaluate the practices of supplement use among practitioners in hemodialysis clinics. All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS statistical software (version 16.0). Both frequency and Chi-square analyses were conducted to analyze the data. One hundred and sixty-seven responses were received from professionals from various regions across the United States. In hemodialysis clinics, dietitians were the primary decision makers when it came to the recommendation of supplements to patients. This information is significant as it demonstrates the important role that the dietitian plays in the treatment of dialysis patients. Cost was identified as a major barrier that patients face in taking appropriate supplements and it is also plays a role in influencing the selection of supplements by nutrition professionals. In addition to identifying what inhibits patients from obtaining supplements, the respondents were also asked to provide feedback regarding what vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals, and/or food components should be found in the ideal renal supplement for hemodialysis patients. When compared to the “standard†renal vitamins currently on the market, the majority of practitioners indicated that the ideal renal supplement should contain amounts of vitamins C, B-6, B-12, and zinc similar to those found in the currently available formulations. On the other hand, almost half of the practitioners felt that ≥2.5 mg of folic acid should be included in the ideal renal supplement, whereas most supplements currently only contain 0.8-1.0 mg. Selenium and vitamin E are not typically found in the current renal supplements on the market and the majority of the respondents indicated that they would like to see at least the Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) amounts included. Interestingly enough, the professionals who responded to the survey also specified that they would like to see other B-complex vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids, lycopene, lutein, resveratrol, CoQ10, and lipoic acid in a supplement for hemodialysis patients. Outcomes indicate that further research is undeniably needed to explore the “optimal†doses of several vitamins, food components, minerals, antioxidants, and phytochemicals for hemodialysis patients. This study presents typical practices and ideas with regards to the supplementation of hemodialysis patients and has generated further questions that need to be explored.Item An evaluation of the antioxidant properties of grain sorghum(Texas Tech University, 1972-12) Wong, Mee ChengNot availableItem Associations between health literacy and attention to food packaging, front of pack labels, and claims(2013-05) Ripley, Lindsey Powers; Pasch, Keryn E.; Mackert, MichaelBackground: Poor diet is an important risk factor for chronic disease and obesity in the U.S. and diet related health disparities disproportionately affect race/ethnic minorities and adults with the lowest levels of income, education, and health literacy. Packaged foods contribute to poor diet by adding excess calories, saturated fat, sugars, and sodium. Nutrition labels and claims influence knowledge of the healthfulness and nutrient content of packaged foods, and may ultimately impact purchasing decisions. Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate how adults with varying levels of health literacy view food packaging components. Sample: 25 University Staff and 25 Adult Education students were recruited for participation in the study. The final sample included 47 adults (24 University Staff and 23 Adult Education Students), with 61% of adults were between 25-44 years old, 77% were female, and 47% non-Hispanic White. Methods: Eye tracking technology was used to measure participant attention to food packaging stimuli. The Newest Vital Sign (NVS) was used to measure health literacy. Using objectively measured attention variables, in linear regression models, this study tested the relationship between health literacy and attention to food packaging, claims, and front of pack labels. Results: Health literacy was found to be positively associated with attention to food packaging (B = 13.52, SE = 6.06, p < .05) and front of pack labels (B = 0.29, SE = 0.12, p < .05). After controlling for education and race/ethnicity, health literacy remained positively associated with attention to food packaging (B = 17.01, SE = 8.45, p = 0.050) but not with front of pack labels. Conclusions: Health literacy may be an important factor influencing initial exposure to nutrition information on food packaging. Understanding attention to food packaging and nutrition labels for vulnerable populations, such as those with limited health literacy, is needed to inform strategies focused on increasing nutrition label use and comprehension.Item Building assets and resilience : the role of the local food system in reducing health and economic disparities(2011-05) Muraida, Laura Cristina; Wilson, Patricia AnnIn recent years, studies have linked various structural and environmental factors to disproportionately increased rates of morbidity, mortality, and adverse health outcomes in low-income racial and ethnic minority neighborhoods. Among the adverse health outcomes, is the constraint on the ability to access and afford a healthy diet. While local food systems play a significant role in influencing urban health and well-being outcomes, they also present an opportunity to develop community-based assets and resilience. By identifying limitations and successes in current food system literature and practice, this report examines how a more comprehensive approach to equitable community health and wellness can be achieved and sustained. Effective disparity reduction relies on cross-sectoral partnerships that not only promote food equity, but also provide participatory social, economic, and educational opportunities to marginalized communities.Item Concepts held by selected physicians in regard to practices in diet therapy(Texas Tech University, 1966-05) Durham, Barbara NanNot availableItem Dietary Behaviors and Nutrition Knowledge among South Asians(2012-02-14) Qamar, ZubaidaSouth Asians have 2-4 times higher risk of heart disease than Caucasians, African Americans, and Hispanics and India has the highest number of individuals with type 2 diabetes. National studies on South Asians chronic disease prevalence, nutrition knowledge, and dietary patterns are limited in the U.S. since all Asian subgroups are aggregated into the "Asian" category. These are particularly important for South Asians because their genetic predisposition and acculturation into the westernized lifestyle after immigration increases their risk for chronic diseases. The objectives of the study were to focus on various factors that influence dietary patterns and changes that increase the risk of diet-related diseases and general nutrition knowledge of South Asians living in the U.S. The data were collected using a survey questionnaire on dietary habits, nutrition knowledge and health of 105 South Asians (men=58, women=47). The mean age and Body Mass Index (BMI) of the participants was about 24 years and 22.8 +/- 3.5 kg/m^2 respectively. On average, respondents scored moderately on dietary habits scale. Participants reported an increase in weight after coming to the U.S. The top 3 barriers to eating healthy were "not a priority", "busy lifestyle" and "healthy foods not tasting as good." The top 3 motivators for healthy eating were "losing weight", "prevention of diseases", and "ability to find quick healthy recipes." The nutrition knowledge was assessed by qualitative and quantitative measures .Approximately half of the participants reported avoiding junk, incorporating low fat, low sugar, more vegetables, fruits and increased intake of water. Furthermore, obese individuals scored better on dietary behavior scale as compared to their peers. The multivariate regression model was significant (df=13, F=2.980, R2 =0.356, P<0.002) for Nutrition Behaviors of South Asians and 35.6% of the variance in nutrition behavior was explained by the variables in the model. Nutrition Behavior was significantly and positively related to use of food labels and BMI. With the current emphasis on cultural competency and providing culturally appropriate health services, results from this study can help to develop strategies to prevent diseases using nutritional strategies and to promote a general healthy life style among this educated South Asian group.Item Dietary Effect on the Performance and Body Composition of the Generalist Insect Jerbivore, Heliothis virescens (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)(2011-10-21) Roeder, Karl AdamAll animals, including insect herbivores, eat to acquire nutrients that are essential for fueling physiological processes associated with growth, development, and reproduction. Protein and digestible carbohydrates are two nutrients required in large quantities by insect herbivores, but the amounts in which they occur in plants can be highly variable. In this thesis, I explore how the amounts and ratios of protein and digestible carbohydrate in an insect herbivore's food affect lifetime performance and body elemental composition. I do this by confining a generalist caterpillar, Heliothis virescens, to semi-synthetic foods with fixed protein-carbohydrate amounts and ratios. I show that foods with protein-carbohydrate ratios that match the self-selected protein-carbohydrate intake of final instar caterpillars correlate strongly with best performance, and that small deviations away from this optimal protein-carbohydrate ratio can result in large drop-offs in overall performance, particularly for males. I also show the importance of protein-carbohydrate balance over total macronutrient content. Finally, my results demonstrate that H. virescens caterpillars do not practice strict elemental homeostasis. My result, when contrasted with earlier work on caterpillars, suggests that hemimetabolous and holometabolous insect herbivores practice different degrees of elemental homeostasis.Item Dietary opinions and practices of selected elderly persons(Texas Tech University, 1967-08) Weems, Mary Kate HalbertNot availableItem Dietary Practices and Preferences of limited Income Groups Prior to introduction of multi-Purpose Food(Texas Tech University, 1973-08) Wineinger, Irma HendricksNot Available.Item Does a technology assisted classroom affect/impact an at risk classroom in understanding nutrition?(2010-05) De Zeeuw, Audrey R.; Petrosino, Anthony J. (Anthony Joseph), 1961-; Marder, MichaelThis study sought increase student understanding of nutrition with the use of technology. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of using technology, in the form of the legacy cycle, on student understanding of nutrition, with a particular interest in at risk students. Ninth grade students participated in either a legacy cycle lesson or a traditional classroom instruction that taught facts about genetically modified organisms (GMO’s) and the controversy that surrounds GMOs integration into the diet of the world. Analysis of pretest, posttest, and one-week retention test scores showed that there was no significant difference between the two teaching methods, although both were effective at teaching the concepts. This study showed that the legacy cycle could be incorporated in the academic classroom without detriment to student learning.Item Effect of Micronizing on the Nutritional Value of Grain Sorghum(Texas Tech University, 1972-12) Tsai, Lung-ChinNot Available.Item Effect of Nutrition on In Vitro Biofilm Formation of Gastrointestinal Associated Microbes(2013-04-28) Hokazono, AsukaGastrointestinal (GI) health is an important contributor to one?s overall well-being. In the past decade, the focus of this aspect of health has been on the organisms that inhabit the intestines: gut microbes. A concept central to understanding bacterial behavior for health or disease promotion is biological film (biofilm) formation. The predominant form of growth for bacteria is biofilm formation, an as yet poorly described phenomenon for gut microbes. In order to better understand bacterial behavior in response to nutrients that pass through the GI system, a high throughput system to assess biofilm formation was developed. Gastrointestinal-associated microbes, Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecalis, were assayed for biofilm formation in 96-well plates after 24 hours of incubation. Nutrients, inter-and intrakingdom signaling molecules such as monosaccharides, calcium, insulin, endocannabinoids, and AI-1, AI-2 like signaling compounds, respectively, were added to cultures in order to test their effects on biofilm formation. Biofilm was quantified spectrophotometrically by the measurement of optical density of each well measured at 580nm following crystal violet staining of adherent biofilm. Values were expressed as means ? standard error of the mean (SEM); differences between means were assessed using t-testing and ANOVA using GraphPad Prism, with mean differences considered significant at P < 0.05. Results showed that biofilm formation by E. coli was enhanced by glucose, galactose, lactose, AI-1 like signaling compound and insulin at 50 and 100?U/ml, while AI-2 like compound and calcium inhibited biofilm formation. Biofilm formation by E. faecalis was also enhanced by AI-1 like compound and insulin at 50?U/ml in RPMI medium and inhibited in cultures grown in BHI medium or with added calcium. We conclude that gastrointestinal-associated microbes are influenced by nutrients as well as various factors, including the culture medium, signaling compounds, as well as host-signaling compounds such as insulin and calcium. This study provides a platform required for future studies involving nutrient effect on biofilm formation.Item The effectiveness of nutritional interventions to improve expressive language in children with autism(2011-05) Furgerson, Brittney Nicole; Peña, Elizabeth D.; Granof, DenaThis research synthesis evaluates the effectiveness of nutritional interventions on the improvement of expressive language abilities in children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Three nutritional interventions are the focus of this synthesis: 1) Gluten-casein free diet, 2) Magnesium-vitamin B6 supplementation, and 3) Digestive enzyme supplementation. Although three of the six studies included in this synthesis reported positive results, the methodology used to obtain the results was flawed. The positive results cannot be attributed solely to the intervention. While the results achieved in the studies provide enough evidence to justify further research, currently there is not enough evidence to support the use of nutritional interventions to treat expressive language deficits in children with ASD. Additional research with fewer threats to validity is needed to determine the effectiveness of nutritional interventions.Item Effects of a community-based health and fitness program on weight, body composition, and chronic disease risk factors: A pilot study(2011-05) Stevenson, Jada L.; Cooper, Jamie A.; Boylan, Lee M.; Reed, DebraNearly two-thirds of Unites States adults are overweight or obese and approximately 15 million Americans are obese. Communities are responding by implementing team-based strategies to encourage weight loss and physical activity among local individuals. Purpose: To determine the efficacy of GET FiT Lubbock, an 8-week team- and community-based intervention on changes in body weight, body composition and chronic disease risk factors in adults. Methods: A total of 173 adults enrolled in the 8-week weight loss intervention and 32 adults (8 males and 24 females; mean age of 45±2.4 years; mean BMI of 31±1.2 kg/m2) completed pre- and post-intervention measurements. For the intervention, participants formed teams of four individuals. Teams then competed against one another to accrue as many points as possible. Points were awarded for minutes of self-reported exercise and attending nutrition and fitness lectures as well as community events. Pre-intervention measurements, which were taken 1 week prior to the start of the intervention, included height, weight, BMI, body fat percentage, waist circumference, hip circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, systolic and diastolic blood pressure. One week after the conclusion of the 8-week intervention, the same measurements were taken again. Minutes of exercise were self-reported weekly to research personnel. Results: The 8-week intervention resulted in significant decreases in body weight (-1.66 ±0.5kg, p<0.01), BMI (-0.6 ±0.2, p<0.01), waist circumference (-3.0 ±0.6cm, p<0.001), hip circumference (-2.9 ±0.5cm, p<0.001), total cholesterol (-6.9 ±2.5mg/dL, p<0.01), and systolic blood pressure (-3.8 ±1.8mmHg, p<0.05). Conversely, HDL cholesterol and fasting blood glucose significantly increased (3.8 ±1.3mg/dL, p<0.01 and 3.94 ±1.5mg/dL, p<0.05, respectively). There were no changes in diastolic blood pressure. Males significantly lost more body fat percentage than females (-3.65 ±0.5% vs. 0.14 ±0.4%), which proved to be the only significant gender difference for the change in each variable. Further, there were no significant changes in outcome variables when analyzed by initial BMI category. Conclusion: These findings suggest that the GET FiT Lubbock program can produce modest weight loss and improve chronic disease risk factors. Although more data are needed regarding gender and BMI group differences, this study provides a point of reference for future team- and community-based exercise and health campaigns.Item Effects of prolonged sitting and walking for two days on postprandial triglycerides in men : interaction with energy intake(2011-05) Park, Sanghee; Coyle, E. F. (Edward F.), 1952-; Brothers, Robert M.Postprandial hypertriglyceridemia (PPHT), an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis (Smyth and Heron 2006; Nordestgaard, Benn et al. 2007), is strongly associated with metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular diseases (CVD) (Kolovou, Anagnostopoulou et al. 2005). It has been proposed that elevated triglycerides after a high-fat meal may be a postprandial phenomenon (Zilversmit 1979). PPHT are commonly concurrent with sedentary behaviors, such as extended sitting, which amplify PPHT (Levine, Vander Weg et al. 2006). The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of prolonged sitting with or without a balanced caloric diet and walking with a balanced diet on postprandial triglycerides (PPTG). Seven healthy, young men (age, 25.6 ± 3.7 y; height, 174 ± 5 cm; weight, 71.4 ± 6.2kg; VO2max, 49.3 ± 7.7 ml/kg/min) were recruited from a college and from within the Austin community. After 2 days of food and activity control (D1and D2), subjects performed one of three trials in a randomized, cross-over design for 2 days (D3 and D4); (1) active walking with a balanced diet (WB), (2) prolonged sitting with a hyper-caloric diet (SH), and (3) prolonged sitting with a balanced diet (SB). High fat tolerance tests (HFTT) were conducted on the following day, (D5), after 13 hour over-night fasting. Blood samples were obtained in the fasting state and every hour for 6 hours after subjects had eaten a high fat test meal consisting of 1.2 g fat, 1.1 g CHO, 0.2 g protein/kg body mass. All food was provided during the 5-day duration of the study. Body postures, heart rate, and daily steps were monitored. In both sit trials (SH and SB), subjects sat ~320 minutes longer and took 10 times fewer steps than WB. In WB, the total area under the curves for plasma triglycerides (AUC[subscript T] TG) was lower, compared to SH by 21.3% (p<0.001) and to SB by 19.7% (N.S.; p = 0.055), respectively. In WB, the incremental AUC TG (AUC[subscript I] TG), an index of postprandial response, was lower than both SH by 17.4% (p <0.005) and SB by 20.1% (p <0.05), respectively. Postprandial plasma insulin concentration was lower in WB, compared to SH by 19.4% (p <0.005) in AUC[scubscript T] and 18.8 % (p < 0.05) in AUC[subscript I]. No differences were shown in the metabolic responses between SB and SH despite the diet modifications. These findings indicate that two days of prolonged sitting significantly amplifies PPTG and suppresses insulin action.
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