This study investigated the effect of providing free-access to several fat-modified foods on dietary energy and fat intake in free-living individuals with and without diabetes mellitus. Five low/no-fat products or their regular-fat versions were provided to volunteers to take home and use for 3 days. Energy and nutrient intakes of all foods consumed were determined through a weighed food diary and by weighing the food provided before and after consumption. Fifteen individuals with diabetes and 15 case-matched controls without diabetes participated in the study. Individuals with diabetes and controls responded similarly to the fat-modified foods. In both groups there was a significant reduction in the percent of kcals and grams of fat consumed during the low-fat condition compared to the regular-fat condition (p

The purpose of this study was to establish baseline information on the way in which acculturation affects Cuban Americans' dietary habits. In addition, the study explored differences in post-migration food preference between diabetic and non-diabetic Cuban Americans. The study was a cross-sectional survey utilizing a convenient sample of Cuban Americans living in Miami-Dade County. One hundred seventy-eight first generation Cuban Americans completed the Multidimensional Acculturation Survey for Cuban Americans (MAS-CA) which included a Dietary Bidimensional Acculturation Scale (D-BAS). Food acculturation scores for Cuban and American food choices were calculated from the D-BAS. Overall, the mean Cuban food score (CFS) (31.8 ± 9.4) was significantly higher (P < 0.001) than the mean American food score (AFS) (15.7 ± 8.6). The Cuban Americans who participated this study preferred Cuban foods to American foods. Moreover, the higher the level of acculturation, the smaller the difference between the CFS and the AFS. There was a statistically significant (P < 0.001) negative relationship between the CFS and the acculturation score. Lower acculturation language scores were associated with higher CFS. Regardless of the presence of diabetes, Cuban Americans preferred Cuban foods. Having type 2 diabetes negatively influenced the subjects' alcohol consumption. It was demonstrated that the instrument developed for this study (D-BAS) was able to measure the subject's dietary acculturation. This instrument can be used as a measure of acculturation, either singularly or in a combination with other measures. In designing nutrition intervention programs, it may be necessary to determine food acculturation levels in order to have more effective programs.

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The validity of serum transthyretin as a nutrition assessment parameter in hemodialysis patients was investigated. Fifty-one subjects (39% male and 61 % female; 53% black, 28% white, 12% Hispanic, 7% Other) receiving hemodialysis for 30 24 months (mean SD) and a total of 36 26 months of renal replacement therapy were followed for six months. Serum transthyretin, albumin, BUN, creatinine, cholesterol, normalized protein catabolic rate (nPCR), KT/V, weight and 24 hour urine analysis were determined monthly. Etiologies of end stage renal disease were diabetic nephropathy (37%), hypertensive nephrosclerosis (37%). glomerulonephritis (12%), polycystic kidney disease (4%), lupus nephritis (4%), other causes (6%). A significant correlation was found between transthyretin and creatinine, albumin and loss of dry weight (p<0.05). Transthyretin levels <30 mg/dl were found to correlate with urine outputs > 240 cc/24 hours, predialysis BUN < 50 mg/dl and nPCR

The purpose of the research was to determine if a history of colic plays a role in carbohydrate absorption in infants consuming either apple or white grape juice. In this double-blind study, 31 infants (5.0 ± 0.4 months, 7.5 ± 0.9 Kg, 64.1 ± 3.8 cm, 29.2 ±3.4 % fat and 5.1 ± 0.6 Kg fat-free mass) were divided into four groups and were fed 120 ml of either white grape (sorbitol free;1:1 fructose to glucose ratio) or apple (sorbitol 0.5 g/dl; 2.3:1 fructose to glucose ratio) juice. Sixteen of the infants had a history of colic. During the study continuous physical activity (PA) and metabolic rate (MR) were measured for 0.5 hours before and 3.0 hours after juice load using an infant respiratory chamber. Carbohydrate absorption was determined every 30 minutes after juice feeding by breath hydrogen (BH2) gas analysis. Statistical differences between groups were determined by one way ANOVA and by independent t-test. Infants with history of colic and fed apple juice showed increased PA (p

The primary objective of this study was to assess the psychosocial risk factors for eating disorders in Hispanic (70%) and Non Hispanic (30%) female university students (n= 618). Risk factors were assessed with the Psychosocial Risk Factor Questionnaire (PRFQ) and its four sub-scales. There was a significant difference in the score for Concern (F = 243, p .046) and Media Pressure (F = 367, p < .006) by ethnic group. African Americans had a significantly lower mean score (3.27 ± 028) for media pressure than all other ethnic groups. There was a significant difference in total PRFQ score (F = 2.52, p < .02l) and the score for perception (F = 2.18, p< .044) among the Hispanic ethnic groups. These results indicate that there are differences among major ethnic groups as well as among Hispanic ethnic groups in terms of the psychosocial factors associated with the risk of eating disorders.

The purpose of this study was to gain further insight into the relationship between perceived energy expenditure (EE) for physical activity (PA) and age, gender, Body Mass Index (BMI), education, and leisure time PA (LTPA) levels. A 19-item interviewer administered questionnaire was completed by 798 individuals to assess accuracy of perception of EE (in calories) for various types of PA (sedentary, moderate and vigorous). Participants, age 21 to 64 years, were recruited from ten sites of the Department of Motor Vehicles in Miami, Florida. Only 30% were able to accurately assess EE for PA. Higher education and age were associated with greater accuracy. The range for estimated EE for PA was from 0-60,000 calories. These results are of interest as they suggest efforts should be made to educate the public regarding EE for PA in reference to energy balance and weight management.

Health consumers worldwide obtain nutrition information from various sources; however, the sources Trinidadians and Tobagonians accessed were unclear. This cross-sectional, descriptive study ascertained from which sources Trinidadians and Tobagonians obtained nutrition information. Participants (n = 845) were surveyed with questions regarding demographics and nutrition information sources. Nearly 100% agreed nutrition information was important. Persons 18-64 years old mainly accessed print media (p<0.01) and ≥ 65years old predominantly accessed the non-print media. Significantly more tertiary educated people, ≥ 35 years old, retrieved information from print media (p=0.001), health care professionals (p=0.001), food labels (p=0.006), and non-print media (p=0.03) when compared to those < 35 years with similar education. Tertiary educated people (67%), selected the Internet when compared to those with without tertiary education (33%) (p<0.001). Knowing the nutrition information sources accessed, dietitians will be able to provide consistent, accurate, age specific nutrition information and promote healthy eating among Trinidadians and Tobagonians.

It has been estimated that one in four adults have sedentary lifestyles. In addition there appears to be an increase in obesity across the life span. It is of great importance to the health of this nation to understand how to promote more active lifestyles through the identification of lifestyle behaviors of active individuals and potential predictors of physical activity (PA). Seven hundred and seventy-seven college students were surveyed to investigate the relationship between nutrition related variables (i.e., dietary restraint, nutrition knowledge, food choice and body weight concerns) and PA. In this study, over half of the students reported doing 30 minutes of moderate intensity PA daily. Vigorously active males and females chose low fat foods more often than the less active group. Exercisers and non-exercisers had similar nutrition knowledge. The results of this study suggest that students who are more active are more conscience about making healthier food choices.

Diet and physical activity patterns have been implicated as major factors in the increasing prevalence of childhood and adolescent obesity. It is estimated that between 16 and 33 percent of children and adolescents in the United States are overweight (CDC, 2000). Moreover, the CDC estimates that less than 50% of adolescents are physically active on a regular basis (CDC, 2003). Interventions must be focused to modify these behaviors. Facilitating the understanding of proper nutrition and need for physical activity among adolescents is the first step in preventing overweight and obesity and delaying the development of chronic diseases later in life (Dwyer, 2000). The purpose of this study was to compare the outcomes of students receiving one of two forms of education (both emphasizing diet and physical activity), to determine whether a computer based intervention (CBI) program using an interactive, animated CD-ROM would elicit a greater behavior change in comparison to a traditional didactic intervention (TDI) program. A convenience sample of 254 high school students aged 14-19 participated in the 6-month program. A pre-test post-test design was used, with follow-up measures taken at three months post-intervention. No change was noted in total fat, saturated fat, fruit/vegetables, or fiber intake for any of the groups. There was also no change in perceived self-efficacy or perceived social support. Results did, however, indicate an increase in nutrition knowledge for both intervention groups (p<0.001). In addition, the CBI group demonstrated more positive and sustained behavior changes throughout the course of the study. These changes included a decrease in BMI (ppre/post <0.001, ppost/follow-up<0.001), number of meals skipped (ppre/post <0.001), and soda consumption (ppre/post =0.003, ppost/follow-up =0.03) and an increase in nutrition knowledge (ppre/post <0.001, ppost/follow-up<0.001), physical activity (ppre/post <0.05, ppost/follow-up<0.01), frequency of label reading (ppre/post <0.01) and in dairy consumption (ppre/post <0.03). The TDI group did show positive gains in some areas post intervention, however a return to baseline behavior was shown at follow-up. Findings of this study suggest that compared to traditional didactic teaching, computer-based nutrition and health education has greater potential to elicit change in knowledge and behavior as well as promote maintenance of the behavior change over time.