The purpose of this project was to determine the effects of 6 g of ground cinnamon added to farina (Cream of Wheat) cereal on blood glucose levels between obese and normal weight individuals. Thirty students, aged 19-30 years, were recruited to participate in this study. During study visits, participants were given one of two test meals (74 g of farina with and without 6 g of cinnamon) followed by seven blood glucose measurements over a two-hour period. A significant difference was seen in glycemic response between the two dietary conditions, but not between the two BMI groups (normal and obese). The two BMI groups were combined for analysis of dietary conditions. Ingestion of the cinnamon cereal resulted in significantly lower blood glucose responses at minutes 15, 30, 45 and 60 compared to the plain cereal. The results of this study confirm the positive glucose-lowering effects of cinnamon. / Department of Family and Consumer Sciences

This study determined outcomes of a low-carbohydrate (CHO) and moderate-CHO diet on weight loss, ketone production, and urinary calcium excretion in a convenience sample of 14 (ages 18-26, m=2, f=12) overweight students at a midwestern college for one month in a two-week, cross over study design. Results showed significant weight loss in subjects over time (p< .01). However, no significant difference between diet groups over time for weight loss was shown. Outcome of urine ketone production remained unaffected over time and between groups over time. A significant difference was noted in urinary calcium excretion within subjects over time (p=.035), yet not between groups over time. These findings suggest that weight loss may be due to a decrease in water and lean body mass from glycogen mobilization. Ketone production was unaffected possibly due to non-compliance with diet recommendations and small sample size of the study. Urinary calcium excretion increases may be attributed to higher protein intakes in participants on the modified-CHO diets, possibly allowing for a negative calcium balance in the body leading to premature osteoporosis. / Department of Family and Consumer Sciences

There is no abstract available for this thesis. / Department of Family and Consumer Sciences

Twenty-nine college females, aged 18-29, participated in a six month boron supplementation protocol to evaluate mineral and hormone status of athletes and non-athletes. All subjects were classified into activity and oral contraceptive groups as follows: athletes (n=16), non-athletes (n=13), oral contraceptives (n=12), and no oral contraceptives (n=17). Subjects were randomly assigned to receive a placebo or 3 mg of boron per day. Subjects' maximal oxygen consumption (VO₂max) was assessed as a baseline measurement and was used to confirm a difference between activity groups. Body fat, height, bone mineral density, and serum calcitonin and parathyroid also were baseline measurements. Subjects were measured at baseline and six months for the following: dietary intake, body weight, serum levels of 17-f-estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone, and plasma and urine levels of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and boron. Athletes had a Significantly greater VO₂max (p < 0.01) than did non-athletes. Subjects taking oral contraceptives had significantly lower serum estradiol (p < 0.05) as compared to subjects not taking oral contraceptives. Boron supplemented non-athletes had a significantly greater change in plasma calcium levels (p < 0.05) as compared to boron supplemented athletes, although the athletes had a significantly higher plasma calcium level (p < 0.05) at the baseline measurement. Control subjects (n=6) had a significantly greater change in dietary carbohydrate (p < 0.01) and protein intake (p < 0.05) as compared to subjects taking boron (n=23). Boron supplementation did not appear to significantly influence any of the parameters measured. However, boron supplementation combined with activity appeared to influence plasma calcium, while serum estradiol may be influenced by oral contraceptives. / Master of Science

Physical activity plays a crucial role in contributing to psychological stability regarding physical concept. However, the evidence for showing the association between levels of physical activity and the psychological state has not been closed to focus on college students. This study was to examine the importance of physical activity by investigating the effects of different levels of physical activity on physical self-concept and social physique anxiety among college students. This study used a secondary data set approved by Institutional Review Board, and obtained a written permission and approval for data use. The data set used for this study was not previously analyzed and published. A total of 238 participants (99 males and 139 females) were 4-year comprehensive university students in Southern California. Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Scale (GLTES), Physical Self-Description Questionnaire (PSDQ), and Social Physique Anxiety Scale- 7(SPA-7) were used to analyze levels of physical activity, physical self-concept, and social physique anxiety, respectively. The SPSS version 19 was used to analyze the data for the purpose of this study. Results showed that there were statistically significant differences in physical self-concept and social physique anxiety among the levels of physical activity. There were statistically negative correlations between social physique anxiety and physical self-concept.