Diet related factors are associated with the 2 most prevalent oral diseases- caries and periodontal disease. Furthermore, there is growing evidence of a synergistic link between nutrition, systemic health, and oral health. Regardless of this evidence and in spite of recommendations by dental associations, researchers have shown the majority of dental professionals are consistently excluding nutritional screenings and dietary counseling in their dental services. The purpose of this study was to examine the nutritional screening and dietary counseling practices of Utah dental hygienists and to evaluate possible associations between various factors influencing the implementation of nutritional services. Surveys were collected from members of the Utah Dental Hygienists’ Association. Mean scores showed low frequency and low confidence levels in performing nutritional services and high perceptions of barriers to care. Little to no difference in mean scores occurred when differentiating between degree achievements, years in dental hygiene practice, or component affiliation.

The health status of African American and Hispanic communities is in need of intervention. These minority groups have a health disparity gap from other races. The incidences of hypertension, diabetes, and obesity are greater in the African American and Hispanic communities. There is a need to continue addressing the specific health issues, along with ideas of body perception, plaguing the African American and Hispanic populations in the United States. Such disparities typically include those who follow “western” diets, have a lack of exercise, are predisposed to chronic illness, as well as have a need for continuous education of the subject matter. This research project is addressing the need for nutrition interventions in the Johnson City, Tennessee minority community, specifically the African American and Hispanic populations. Prevention can be a useful tool in the reduction of health disparities. Freshman, minority students represent a suitable population to implement prevention strategies. East Tennessee State University’s Quest Program is designed specifically for freshman, minority students. The focus group of this research project includes the participants of the Quest program at East Tennessee State University (ETSU). The purpose of this research is to determine the degree of nutrition knowledge and to assess perceptions of body image of minority freshman at ETSU.

Many factors influence the nutrient composition of breast milk (BRM) particularly within the fatty acids composition. In this study BRM between 2-14 weeks of lactation was collected from 44 Caucasian women (24 normal weight (NW, BMI 18.5-24.9kg/m2) and 20 overweight (OW, BMI >25.0kg/m2). BRM was subjected to proximate analysis and participants completed food frequency questionnaires (FFQ) to estimate fruit, vegetable, and fat intake. BMI differed between NW and OW groups, 22.03 vs 33.86kg/m2 (p0.10) were identified for total calories (5,581.8 vs 5562.9cal/g), %fat (39.6 vs 43.9), or %protein (9.8 vs 8.9) for BRM in NW versus OW women as determined by proximal analysis. Gas chromatography of fatty acid methyl esters demonstrated NW BRM contained higher levels of omega-3, mono-unsaturated, and less palmitic acid fatty acids (p>0.10). The increased palmitic acid level seen in OW BRM may support increased de novo synthesis of fatty acids.

The literature indicates a lack of validated scales to measure nutrition knowledge, attitudes and behaviors in preschool-aged children. Reliable and valid assessment tools are critical in the development of nutritional interventions for young children; careful design, including psychometric evaluation of reliability and validity, is the best approach to scale development. Best practice points to an efficient, yet comprehensive look at the constructs of knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. This multi-phase study included 298 preschool children ages 2-6 years (151 girls, 147 boys; mean age 3.936). A 45-item scale was created, with 4 subscales to measure the nutrition knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of preschool children, and piloted among 54 of these children (30 girls, 24 boys; mean age 4.3). Cronbach’s alpha (α) for the total scale with predicted behavior excluded was .775, and also determined for each subscale, including food identification (0.642), food group categorization (0.644), and classification of foods as healthy and unhealthy (0.576). Behavior was predicted, as children created a virtual plate of preferred food and beverage selections for breakfast, lunch, and snack. Internal consistency was not calculated for this stage of scale development. ANOVA and post-hoc testing identified age-related differences between 3 and 5-year olds, in overall performance on the scale, F(3, 43) = 6.183, p = .001, partial ŋ2 = .301 but not among other age groups (3, 4, 5, and 6 included). Through multiple iterations of the scale, it became clear that the healthy versus unhealthy subscale was problematic. An adaptation of the Traffic-light diet, a variation of this subscale, was created and piloted with 74 items, and then narrowed to 25 items (Cronbach’s α .924). This resulted in a revised final version of the scale, with 52 items including 8 food identification tasks, 15 food group categorization tasks, 25 Go, Slow, Whoa tasks, and 4 virtual plate food and beverage preference tasks, for delivery on interactive technology (iPad). Future research will include pre-post testing with a nutrition intervention to determine further validity and test-retest reliability. It is predicted that Cronbach’s α will be similar if not improved by further testing.

Significance: Nutrition is one of the most basic of medical issues and is often ignored as a problem in the management of our chronic wound patients. Unfortunately, malnutrition is widespread in our geriatric patients even in nursing homes in developed countries. Attention to basic nutrition and providing appropriate supplements may assist in the healing of our chronic wounds. Recent Advances: Recent research has revealed the epidemiology of malnutrition in developed countries, the similarities to malnutrition in developing countries, and some of the physiologic and sociologic causes for this problem. More information is now available on the biochemical effects of nutrient deficiency and supplementation with macronutrients and micronutrients. In some cases, administration of isolated nutrients beyond recommended amounts for healthy individuals may have a pharmacologic effect to help wounds heal. Critical Issues: Much of the knowledge of the nutritional support of chronic wounds is based on information that has been obtained from trauma management. Due to the demographic differences of the patients and differences in the physiology of acute and chronic wounds, it is not logical to assume that all aspects of nutritional support are identical in these patient groups. Before providing specific nutritional supplements, appropriate assessments of patient general nutritional status and the reasons for malnutrition must be obtained or specific nutrient supplementation will not be utilized. Future Directions: Future research must concentrate on the biochemical and physiologic differences of the acute and chronic wounds and the interaction with specific supplements, such as antioxidants, vitamin A, and vitamin D.

Abstract available in The FASEB Journal.

Abstract available in The FASEB Journal.

Abstract available in The FASEB Journal.

Abstract available in The FASEB Journal.

Abstract available in The FASEB Journal.