<p> Secondary malnutrition, due to an underlying disease or disorder, is a considerable concern for medical staff when a child is resident at a hospital. Nutrition for growth of the child is in competition with necessary nutrition used during metabolic stress. The intention of this investigation is to indicate if nutrition goals are being met to prevent or improve acute malnutrition, and if further investigation is necessary for potential hospital wide intervention. The data obtained includes goal rates (80-110% of prescribed caloric goals) of nutrition administered to patients (ages 2-18 years) on enteral nutrition, parenteral nutrition, and a combination of enteral and parenteral nutrition on the 7^th day of admission during a singular calendar year. An audit of existing electronic records for 2011 of the pediatric hospital identified approximately 50% of patients were meeting 80-110% of their prescribed caloric goals to help prevent or manage existing malnutrition.</p>

<p>The purpose of this project was to create a 6-week nutrition curriculum for improving the health of older adults, aged 60 years or older. The goal of this curriculum was to improve the health of older adults by emphasizing the consumption of a well-balanced diet and regular physical activity in order to reduce the instance of Type 2 Diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension among older adults. Specifically, this project provides nutrition education regarding an overview of healthy lifestyle choices for older adults. </p><p> The nutrition curriculum, titled "How to Be a Fit and Healthy Older Adult," was created for implementation in senior centers following attendance of a congregate meal. The curriculum was designed to be implemented by a Registered Dietitian (RD) with vast knowledge and experience with the aging population. The curriculum consists of two parts: a nutrition education portion, using PowerPoint, and an interactive activity to engage the participants. </p>

<p> A diet rich in omega-3 fats has been shown to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Long chain omega-3 fats found in fatty fish are especially important to cardiovascular health. Consumption of these fats is low, in part because there are few natural sources. This has led to the development of omega-3 fortified foods. Currently available fortified foods demonstrate conflicting nutritional information. Addition of omega-3 fats to an otherwise unhealthy food is perceived by consumers as an advertising gimmick. Mistrust of food companies and confusing ingredient labels negatively impact sales. Careful nutritional guidance, combined with proper sensory analysis, is critical to developing omega-3 fortified food products that are consistent with medical recommendations. Results from this study indicate that a therapeutic dose of fish oil (1000 mg per serving) can be added to two heart-healthy foods without adversely affecting sensory qualities.</p>

<p> Childhood obesity is a major public health concern. The multiple effects of obesity in childhood are long-reaching. Since weight loss and maintenance are very difficult, prevention of obesity is important. Schools have been identified as an important environment for obesity prevention interventions since most children spend a large portion of the day at school. The purpose of this secondary data analysis was to determine if the Healthy Eating Active Living (HEAL) Alabama intervention improved weight status, fitness levels, and health knowledge and behaviors. A 2-by-2 repeated measures ANOVA was performed to determine whether differences exist between intervention and comparison students at pretest and posttest. Measures that were explored included BMI Z-scores, Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run (PACER) scores, nutrition knowledge and behavior scores, and physical activity knowledge and behavior scores. Significant advances were observed among intervention students in contrast to comparison students from pretest to posttest for physical fitness (as measured by the PACER), and nutrition and physical activity knowledge. No significant improvements were found for weight status, nutrition behavior, or physical activity behavior. A high prevalence of obesity was observed at pretest. It may be difficult for a primary obesity prevention program to be successful among fifth grade students with such high prevalence rates. A greater effect may be found when intervening with younger children. While schools alone cannot turn the tide on childhood obesity, it is unlikely that improvements can be made without the involvement of schools and programs such as HEAL.</p>

<p> <b>BACKGROUND:</b> There have been numerous studies that compare the relationship of postprandial lipemia, oxidative stress, and endothelial dysfunction, but there is a lack of information as to the dose response nature of isocaloric high-fat meals (HFM). <b>OBJECTIVE:</b> To examine the dose response of lipemia (isocaloric HFM consisting of 25%, 50%, and 75% fat) on plasma triglycerides (TG), oxidative stress, and endothelial function. It was hypothesized that the highest fat load would produce the greatest amount of oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction; whereas each lipid load would be significantly higher than the previous. <b>METHODS:</b> Ten young inactive healthy men (22.8 &plusmn; 2.9 yrs) participated in three randomized challenge meals consisting of 25%, 50%, and 75% fat. Endothelial function, as measured by flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and blood samples were taken at baseline, 2 and 4 hours postprandial. Samples were assayed for blood biomarkers of TG and oxidative stress (3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT) and thiobarbuiuric acid reactive substances (TBARS)). <b>RESULTS:</b> TG were found to be significant with the 50% fat meal compared to the 25% fat meal (p = .001); but not between the other comparisons. Significance was also found for TG between 25% and 50% fat meals at 2 hours postprandial (p = .000) but not for any of the other comparisons. No changes were observed with either measure of oxidative stress. FMDs were found to be significant with the 50% fat meals compared to the 25% fat meal (p = .026), and the 75% fat meals compared to the 25% fat meal (p = .002); but not between the 50% and 75% fat meals (p = .142). Significance was also found for FMDs at 2 hours postprandial between 25% and 75% fat meals (p = .027) and at 4 hours postprandial between 25% and 50% (p = .017) and 25% and 75% fat meals (p = .013). <b>CONCLUSIONS:</b> Thus, it appears young healthy inactive men do not exhibit a dose response in lipemia following an isocaloric HFM consisting of 25%, 50%, and 75% fat. Interpretation of the oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction results are more difficult to interpret without a dose response in lipemia. However, other measures of oxidative stress should be considered before strong conclusions can be drawn.</p>

<p> More than half of spouses of U. S. Army active duty soldiers are overweight or obese. In the U.S. almost a half million people die annually because of health related problems to being overweight or obese (Robbins, Chao, Baumgartner, Runyan, Oordt, &amp; Foneseca, 2006). The military spends $1.1 billion a year on problems related to being overweight or obese for active duty military personnel, retirees, and their families (Dall et al., 2007). </p><p> <i>Method:</i> Permission was granted from the Department of Defense (DoD) and the University of Maryland Institutional Review Board (IRB) to use the 2008 Active Duty Spouses Survey (ADSS) for the secondary data analyses used in this dissertation. Multiple and logistic regression analyses of U.S. Army spouses (<i>n</i> = 1863) examine the association of deployment status within the last year (not deployed, deployed but not to a combat zone, and deployed to a combat zone) with weight status, as measured with body mass index (BMI) scores (healthy weight versus overweight or obese). The independent variables examined were gender, age, race, rank of soldier, education, psychological distress, and perceived social support scores. </p><p> <i>Results:</i> Deployment status and weight status were not related (<i>p</i> = .097). Three-quarters of the male spouses and almost half of the female spouses were overweight or obese. Spouses of soldiers in the enlisted ranks (E5-E9), minority spouses, and those without at least a four-year college degree are more likely to be overweight or obese. As spouses' age and psychological distress increases and perceived social support decreases their BMI increases. </p><p> <i>Conclusions:</i> Findings suggest the risk factors associated with being overweight or obese are minorities; male spouses; the ranks of E5 - E9; less than a four-year degree; as age and psychological distress scores increase so does BMI; and as perceived social support scores increase the BMI decreases. The risk factors may contribute to the Army Surgeon General's Performance Triad of sleep, activity, and nutrition and be used to assist Army personnel and Department of the Army (DA) civilians to teach spouses awareness and methods of changing behaviors that result in choosing healthy options.</p>

Pyridoxal isonicotinoyl hydrazone (PIH) has been described as an orally effective Fe chelator. It is both membrane permeable and plasma soluble, and has a high affinity for Fe, making it an ideal model on which to base future chelators. Ten novel ligands have been synthesized based on these attributes. Characterization experiments were performed to determine the ligands' selectivity and binding affinity for iron, their lipophilicity as both free and Fe-ligand complexes, and their stoichiometric relationship with iron. Efficacy of the chelators has been determined through their ability to effectively mobilize non-heme 59Fe from pre-labeled cells. Intracellular levels of chelator bound 59Fe were also determined. Concentration-dependence and time-dependence mobilization experiments were performed to determine the minimal concentrations of ligands required to elicit maximal 59Fe release. Toxicity experiments with various ligand concentrations were performed in order to determine the concentration which inhibits at least half of cellular growth as compared with control. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

Thesis (Dr.P.H.)--University of California, Berkeley, 2005. / (UnM)AAI3210498. Adviser: Gladys Block. Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 67-03, Section: B, page: 1396.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2007. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 68-06, Section: B, page: 3699. Adviser: John W. Erdman. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 115-136) Available on microfilm from Pro Quest Information and Learning.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2008. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 69-11, Section: B, page: 6703. Adviser: Matthew A. Wallig. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 65-110) Available on microfilm from Pro Quest Information and Learning.