Information on nutrition and aging research in Brazil, Chile and Mexico was compiled. The questionnaire was adapted from one published by the United Nations Population Fund. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) provided the initial contact list. A search of online library databases was also done. Databases yielded a total of 149 journal articles, 21 books, 9 dissertations and 17 theses on nutrition and aging published between 1983 and 2000. The information showed that nutrition and aging is an area in the process of policy and program development and that aging is an important public health issue because of the current and projected growth of this population group. In line with the PAHO goal of improving the possibilities for healthy aging, this study may help strengthen the integration of multidisciplinary nutrition and aging research with public health policy.

Introduction/Background Research indicates nutrition and environment in the first year of a child's life are crucial in their development and growth and can contribute to lower chances of developing obesity and other health concerns. Key factors that can determine these outcomes include the bacteria and resulting short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) present in the gut. This composition may be affected by feeding modality (formula feeding vs breastfeeding), exposure to the mother’s microbiota, weight status of the child, and type of delivery. This research aims to identify the impact of infant feeding modality on toddlers' fecal fermentation profile, and if there are associations between weight status and microbiome, fecal fermentation profile. Methods/ Procedures Participants (n=40) were recruited during well-child pediatric appointments at ETSU’s Pediatric primary care clinic. Researchers explained the requirements of the study and participants were provided with a 90-question food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) for children ages 2-7, including 90 questions and asks about a child's typical intake over the previous 6-month period. The food list was developed from NHANES III dietary recall data. The child’s history was obtained, including current age, birth length and weight, delivery type (C-section or vaginal), feeding method (breast, bottle fed, or both) and duration. The child’s weight and height were obtained, and body mass index (BMI) calculated. Participant-provided stool samples were freeze-dried and ground, and SCFAs were extracted using a procedure developed by Schwiertz et al. that was modified. One mL of the SCFA extraction solution, containing Oxalic acid (0.1 mol/L), Sodium Azide (40 mmol/L), and Caproic acid (0.1 mmol/L) (internal standard) was added to 80 mg of a freeze-dried stool sample in a 16 x 100 mm disposable culture tube, and analyzed using a Shimadzu GC2010 gas chromatograph with SigmaAldrich ZB-Wax Plus capillary column. Samples were run in duplicate, and values for each participant were averaged. Data analysis was generated using SAS software, Version 9.4 of the SAS System, Copyright © 2013 SAS Institute Inc. Results Initial findings showed no significant differences in the SCFA composition of obese vs non-obese toddlers in the sample. However, there were significant differences in the amount of specific SCFAs (isobutyrate, isovaleric acid, and octanoic acid) in toddlers who were formula fed as infants versus toddlers who were breastfed, and those fed a combination of breastmilk, and formula (p < 0.05). Further analysis will determine if these initial results may be contributed to overall dietary intake, and more specifically fiber intake.

Twenty-four young adults, ages 18 to 30, from Cache Valley were studied to determine the incidence of lactose malabsorption. Lactose malabsorption was determined by a two-hour oral lactose tolerance test. The criteria for a malabsorber was a flat glucose curve in which there was a rise in serum glucose less than 20 mg. per 100 ml. above the fasting level. Four of the subjects were found to be lactose malabsorbers. The incidence of lactose malabsorption was determined to be 16.67 per cent. A 95 per cent confidence interval for this study indicated that the actual percentage could be expected to be between 1.76 and 31.58 per cent with 75 per cent confidence. Two of the subjects determined to be lactose malabsorbers developed gastrointestinal symptoms associated with lactose intolerance: abdominal cramping, flatulence and/or diarrhea. The daily milk intake varied greatly among both lactose absorbers and malabsorbers subjects.

Facilitating nutritional improvement in schools is an important strategy for reversing the alarming trends of overweight and undernourishment currently observed among children in the United States. Compared to national recommendations, many people in the United States under-consume nutrient-dense foods, such as fruits and vegetables. The objective of this study was to determine if various school-based interventions can increase fruit and vegetable consumption among 75 fourth-graders. Interventions included fruit and vegetable challenges, offering a new variety of fruit, and classroom nutrition education. To assess intake, photographs of students' school lunch trays were taken pre- and post-consumption and then analyzed to determine consumption. Differences in mean intake across time were examined and paired t-test analyses were used to assess if observed differences were statistically significant. Compared to baseline intakes, the variety intervention significantly increased mean fruit and vegetable consumption (p<0.001). The 'challenges' also increased intakes, however, the increase was not consistently significant (p=0.014 to 0.824). The education intervention was not associated with significant increases (p=0.642). Thus, schools should be encouraged to offer new varieties of fruits and vegetables.

Socioeconomic status strongly impacts food choices and eating patterns of both adults and children. Low-income individuals tend to eat diets high in calories and fat, and low in nutrient dense foods such as fruits and vegetables. Barriers such as cost, access, availability, and knowledge are commonly reported reasons for limited intake of fruits and vegetables. Low-income individuals are more likely to experience food insecurity, which can also limit the consumption of nutrient dense foods. As a result, low-income individuals are at an increased risk for obesity and chronic diseases. Farmers’ market incentives were found to significantly increase food security status among program participants and although fruit and vegetable consumption among those participants did increase, the change was not statistically significant for fruit and most types of vegetables. However, mean carotenoid levels were found to increase among participants who received an 8-week intervention that included weekly farmers’ market incentives. Data collected through qualitative interviews indicates that farmers’ market incentives helped participants overcome barriers associated with poor fruit and vegetable intake. Furthermore, parents expressed value in the opportunity for children to select, purchase, prepare, and consume fruit and vegetables purchased at the farmers’ market. However, qualitative and quantitative data suggest that farmers’ market incentive programs would have greater participation if individuals were not required to match their federal nutrition assistance benefits. Further research should be conducted using a completely randomized design and larger sample sizes to determine changes in fruit and vegetable intake among participants of farmers’ market incentive programs. The combination of nutrition education and farmers’ market incentives should be investigated to determine if program participants would further benefit from a combination of two intervention strategies.

Male castrated rats treated with testosterone or estradiol were given a diet containing 9, 18, or 50 per cent protein. Total lipids, lipid classes and fatty acid composition of lipid classes were determined. Estradiol treated rats grew slower, smaller and consumed less diet. Their liver weights were larger when compared to their body weights. Moisture content of liver remained unaffected by sex hormones, but increased with the high level of protein in the diet. Both testosterone and estradiol affected lipid metabolism; in general, the estrogenic influence was more pronounced and more predictable. Estradiol administration increased total lipids, free and esterified cholesterol and phospholipids in serum. Liver triglyceride level was decreased and free fatty acids and phospholipids were increased. An effect of sex hormone on the percentage composition of serum and liver fatty acids was apparent. Estradiol dosed rats maintained higher proportions of myristic and strearic acids in the serum cholesterol esters than that of the other fatty acids. It also increased the level of stearic and oleic acids and decreased the level of myristic, palmitic and linoleic acids in serum phospholipids. Oleic acid concentration was increased while linoleic acid concentration was decreased in serum triglycerides of estradiol treated rats. The liver cholesterol ester fatty acid patterns remained unchanged by sex hormone treatement. Liver phospholipid fractions contained a lower percentage of oleic acid in estradiol treated groups. Testosterone and estradiol treated rats had a higher proportion of myristic, stearic and linoleic acids and lower proportion of oleic acid in liver triglycerides than did the control rats. Dietary content of protein did not change serum lipid values significantly. The high level of dietary protein decreased oleic acid concentration in liver phospholipids and triglycerides.

Proteolytic activity of Streptococcus cremoris HP, P2 and AM2; Streptococcus lactis-C2, ML8 and a commercial mixed culture was determined in skimmilk and whey by measuring the increase in Absorbency at 274.5 nm of a pH 4.6 soluble filtrate, following incubation in a 2.5% casein solution. Proteolytic activity, rate of acid production and growth rate decreased in order of C2, HP, mixed culture, AM2, ML8 and P2 at a regulated pH (6.1 - 6.2) and 32 C. Maximum proteolytic activity for all cultures was found during the stationary phase of growth. Extracellular protease activity was purified l000 fold from S. lactis-C2. Enzyme activity was stable at 80 C for 20 min and lost 41% of its activity after 80 min. A linear increase in activity was observed between 25 and 50 C after 5 hr incubation at pH 6.2. Partial culturing of skimmilk, and incubation of a freeze-dried crude enzyme preparation in skimmilk prior to acidification was used for Cottage cheese ix making. Partial culturing or incubation of freeze-dried crude enzyme preparation in skimmilk prior to manufacture of direct acid Cottage cheese, increased the moisture and firmness of the finished curd, and significantly improved the body and texture of the creamed product. Partial culturing of skimmilk prior to acidification was also successfully used for the continuous process where good Cottage cheese curd was also obtained.

Protein recovery and coagulation properties of five commercial and fractionated milk clotting enzymes were studied. The fractionated enzymes were Sephadex G-100 fractions of the commercial enzymes. Milk clotting activity of each fraction was tested using Berridge substrate. All fractions from each preparation which had milk clotting activity as measured with the Formagraph were collected and pooled. These samples and the original enzyme preparations were used to coagulate milk. Percent of protein lost in whey was determined by Kjeldahl. Coagulation was followed using a spectrophotometer monitoring changes in apparent absorbance at 600 nm. Curd protein yields using the five original enzyme preparations were compared with each other. Also, protein lost in whey from the five original preparations were compared with those using the isolated fraction. There was a significant difference among the original enzymes in protein lost in whey. There were also significant differences between some of the commercial enzyme preparations and their fractionated preparations. Gel filtration through Sephadex G-100 improved bovine rennet and calf rennet/porcine pepsin mixture more than the other three enzyme preparations. Calf rennet, Mucor miehei protease and modified M. miehei protease showed no significant reduction in protein lost to whey after fractionation. Protein loss using original calf rennet, bovine rennet and modified M. miehei protease were not significantly different from each other. M. miehei protease and calf rennet/porcine pepsin mixture were not significantly different from each other, but, the two groups were significantly different from each other. There were noticeable differences in coagulation curves of the five original enzymes. Coagulation properties of commercial and fractionated enzyme were different in all five pairs.

The cost of fresh and dehydrated vegetables was studied in terms of initial cost and labor cost. Three institution kitchens were used: Logan Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Hospital, Logan Senior High School, and the High Rise Cafeteria at Utah State University. Beans, celery, onions, peas, green peppers, diced potatoes, shredded potatoes, sliced potatoes, and whipped potatoes were included in the research. Fresh vegetables were found to have lower initial cost. Labor costs were lower for dehydrated vegetables. In the preparation of 25 pounds of vegetables the total cost of dehydrated vegetables was less than that of fresh vegetables. This cost difference continued to increase as the amount of fresh vegetables used increased. Quality scores indicated that the potato products, green peppers when served in a mixed dish, and onions when served in a mixed dish were the best accepted of the dehydrated products. Green beans were found to be an unacceptable product.

The effect of increasing the dietary protein and pyridoxine level on calcium balance and bone strength was studied in growing and adult rats. The loss of calcium due to urinary excretion of o-phosphoryl-ethanolamine on a high protein diet was also examined. Three studies were conducted. In the first adult male rats were fed 40% protein diets with high or low pyridoxine or a low protein, low pyridoxine diet. Calcium balance and femur bending stress were determined. In the second study male weanling rats were given either 10 or 63% protein with 0.40 or 0.73% pyridoxine. Calcium and phosphorous balances were determined. Calcium, phosphorous, and ash content of the ulna, scapula, and caudal vertebrae were evaluated. Stress tests were carried out on the femur, tibia, humerus, and caudal vertebrae. Adult female rats were given 63% protein diets with or without pyridoxine in the third study. Calcium and phosphorous balances were determined. Urinary o-phosphorylethanolamine was checked. The high protein diets caused a more positive calcium balance than the lower protein diets in all studies. The phosphorous balance became increasingly negative as the calcium balance became more positive. Pyridoxine level had no effect on the balance of either mineral. Diet had no effect on the mineral content of weight bearing bones. The high protein diet resulted in higher mineral values in the vertebrae than the lower protein diet. Diet did not effect resistance to stress in the bones of the adult rats. In the young rats, the stress results were not consistent. Pyridoxine had no effect on mineralization regardless of dietary protein level. No urinary excretion of o-phosphorylethan-olamine was found in a pyridoxine deficiency.