A delicate balance exists between the protective effects of adrenal glucocorticoids (GCs) secreted in response to stress and the negative consequences that the excessive production of these hormones may have for numerous systems. GCs are involved in the regulation of the stress response, have effects on feeding and body weight gain and are associated with the acceleration of central nervous system aging. Their production, secretion, and containment are subject to both environmental modulation and individual variation. Neonatal manipulations known to affect the development of the adult hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) response to stress had profound effects on both basal and stress-induced dietary choice, body weight and insulin dynamics. We followed this study with an examination of how the physiological and emotional response to stress can affect diet choices and affective status. Stress had an impact on diet choice and had a strong effect on emotional status but did not affect subjects uniformly. We then explored the reciprocal relationship, i.e. how diet itself can affect the response to stress and found that basal and stress-induced activation of the HPA axis in both young and aged rats is augmented following the feeding of high-fat diets and fat-feeding cause aberrations in glucose-insulin axis. Since aging can be associated with profound changes in HPA axis function, we assessed how dietary habits may contribute to the emergence of the cortisol (F) profile in a population of healthy elderly humans. We found a strong positive relationship between individual F production, feelings of depression and the high fat content in their diets. While dietary habits may have a negative impact on the emergence of an individuals' cortisol profile and on the aging process, we wanted to explore whether a beneficial intervention at mid-life would allow animals to age "successfully" by reducing glucocorticoid production. Environmental enrichment lowered corticosterone lev

Acute tryptophan (trp) depletion, which purportedly decreases brain serotonin, lowers mood in normal males with a multigenerational family history of major affective disorder (FH+), but not in male controls. In the present study, the hypothesis that a mood lowering response to acute trp depletion may reflect a susceptibility to depression was investigated further. As both a family history of major affective disorder (MAD) and female sex are considered to be risk factors for depression, the effects of trp depletion on mood were investigated in control and FH+ women. The temporal stability of mood change to trp depletion, when rechallenged at least one month later, was also assessed in order to appraise its utility as a putative susceptibility marker. Subjects ingested a trp deficient amino acid mixture on two separate occasions and a balanced control mixture containing trp on another occasion. Compared to the balanced condition, control women exhibited a significant lowering of mood following the trp depletion, whereas in a previous study control men did not. The sex difference in the mood response to trp depletion among controls is consistent with the fact that women are at greater risk for depression than men. Unlike controls, FH+ women showed no lowering of mood, which suggests that serotonin may not be as important in the etiology of depression in these women. The mood response to trp depletion exhibited poor temporal stability, which does not support its use as a susceptibility marker of depression in normal subjects. Its utility as a putative phenotypic marker for MAD awaits further study in FH+ subjects who respond to trp depletion. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

<p> The relationship to food, whether on an individual or societal basis, carries with it potential for nourishment on multiple levels. A mindful, healthy connection to the sourcing, preparation, serving, and enjoyment of food can become a catalyst for inner transformation, psychologically and physiologically. Utilizing hermeneutic methodology, this thesis explores food in relation to the soul by examining historical and cultural practices and beliefs about food. Various works of literature and the writings of culinary aficionados are discussed, giving examples of savoring food and receiving deep nourishment. In addition, a heuristic approach is undertaken to demonstrate the influence food has had on this researcher by recording personal reflections on her life and on literature that include memorable stories about the healing power of food. Depth psychological practices and theory may be positively impacted by the results of this research, due to the far-reaching implications for both mind and body.</p>

<p> Lack of fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption is directly linked to the prevalence of obesity and chronic disease in the United States. The USDA Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) offers elementary school teachers access to healthy foods as part of the public school classroom experience. The purpose of this study&mdash;which was based on self-efficacy theory and the socio-ecological model&mdash;was to examine if an association exists between selected factors: (a) daily fruit and vegetable consumption, training status in the USDA Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP), and an established school nutrition policy and (b) nutrition-teaching self-efficacy (NTSE) among elementary school teachers who participated in the FFVP. Using an online survey, 66 teachers out of 114 (58% response rate) completed a 26-question survey adapted from the Nutrition-Teaching Self-Efficacy Scale and the National Cancer Institute's Food Attitude and Behavior Survey. Based on the results of the chi-square test of association (<i>p</i> = 0.031), an association between daily FV intake and NTSE among teachers involved in the USDA FFVP was confirmed. The odds of having high NTSE are 3.45 higher in those who consume more than 3 cups of combined FV each day (<i>p</i> = 0.029). There were no significant associations between NTSE and FFVP training and established school nutrition policy. The social change implication of this study is that healthier, confident teachers build healthier school environments and create the impetus for increasing FV consumption in the community at large, thereby helping to reduce the risk of obesity and chronic diseases.</p>

<p> The purpose of this project was to develop a curriculum related to the safety and effectiveness of dietary supplement use in athletes, including both recreational and competitive athletes. A review of literature was conducted to investigate current research and scientific evidence regarding dietary supplements and athletic performance. Using this evidence-based foundation, the curriculum was then designed as a series of three interactive sessions for athletes. The sessions incorporate lectures, case studies, discussion questions, and group activities to facilitate group learning. The project was reviewed by an expert panel and adjustments were made based upon their recommendations. This curriculum was designed for implementation at the community level and is adaptable based upon the needs of a particular community. An evaluation tool was developed for future program review and adjustment. The curriculum was not pilot tested.</p>

<p>The purpose of this study was to investigate knowledge regarding the gluten-free diet among non-celiacs following the diet. Specifically, this study examined how knowledge differed among gluten-free diet followers by reason(s) for following a gluten-free diet, source(s) from which information on the gluten-free diet is obtained, level of education attained, age, and sex. </p><p> A convenience sample of 129 usable knowledge assessment surveys completed by non-celiac gluten-free diet followers was utilized in this study. Participants were recruited via Facebook groups or pages, or by announcement flyers that were posted on community information boards at health food stores. It was found that participants, ages 40-49, had a greater knowledge of the gluten-free diet than those ages 20-29. Subjects who were 50 or over also had greater knowledge than those of ages 20-29 years. Results indicated that greater knowledge of the gluten-free diet is associated with older age. </p>

<p> The purpose of this project is to create fun and educational lesson plans for before and after school childcare providers of children in kindergarten through fifth grade. The lesson plan will incorporate aspects of physical activity and nutrition into the basic curriculum for this age group. The nutrition and physical activity curriculum contains four themed weekly lessons. Each lesson incorporates a nutrition discussion, an activity related to the discussion, and one group game. The lessons and activities were designed to incorporate minimal materials so that any facility could easily incorporate them. A committee of nutrition professionals and educators reviewed the curriculum and improvements were made based on their recommendations.</p>

<p> The purpose of this study was to research parents' ability to acknowledge obesity within their own child. Based on this goal, the following hypotheses were tested: parents who are overweight or obese themselves will be less likely to acknowledge the presence of overweight or obesity in their own child; increases in the characteristics of Nature Deficit Disorder, namley sedentary activity and exclusion of the outdoors, will be positively correlated with increases in childhood obesity; there is no relationship between a parent's BMI and their child's sedentary behavior; there is no relationship between a parent's BMI and their child's physically active behavior. No significance was found, however findings indicated that the majority of parents, regardless of their weight category, were unable to correctly identify the weight category of their child. Further research is recommended to explore a parent's ability to correctly indicate the weight category of their own child.</p>

<p> Childhood obesity is a disease that affects 17% of children aged 2-19. This disease, best described by a social ecological perspective, is multifactorial in nature and includes individual, familial, community, and societal contributors. As the causes are multifactorial, so too should be prevention and treatment. Healthcare providers, specifically physicians, can play an important role in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of childhood obesity, especially if they appropriately utilize nutrition behavior change counseling to facilitate lifestyle changes. Behavior change falls within the realm of the social and behavioral sciences, disciplines that will receive greater emphasis on the newly designed MCAT 2015^&reg;; therefore, premedical and medical programs may need to alter their approaches to disseminating this discipline-specific knowledge. Nutrition education is currently limited in medical education; and thus, just as premedical programs seek to increase the social and behavioral sciences, so too should they increase nutrition education. In light of these recommended curricular changes, researchers sought to investigate the current state of premedical and medical students. views of childhood obesity. This dissertation describes three studies conducted for that purpose. In study 1, researchers investigated 30 pre-healthcare undergraduate seniors. views of childhood obesity and their sources of knowledge through in-depth qualitative interviews. Investigators found that students with specialized coursework and significant volunteer and/or internship experience had a deeper understanding of childhood obesity; however, as a whole, students failed to see the role of healthcare providers in prevention and treatment. These findings provide justification for premedical programs to guide students to see their role in prevention and treatment through educating them on the social ecological model and providing them with relevant service-learning opportunities and guided reflection. In study 2, researchers conducted a similar nationwide qualitative investigation in 78 third and fourth year medical students. These students described student-, patient- and healthcare system-centered barriers, including their lack of knowledge, patients. lack of access, and their lack of time in practice. Students also requested more applicable information and counseling training in order to equip them to prevent and treat childhood obesity. Much like the pre-healthcare seniors, these medical students failed to discuss their role in prevention and treatment. Therefore, medical schools need to help their students overcome barriers by providing them knowledge and skills and helping them understand their role in prevention and treatment. In study 3, researchers built on the knowledge gained from study 1 and study 2 and developed a valid and reliable computerized tool, the Childhood Obesity Prevention Self-efficacy (COP-SE) survey. Factor analysis of 444 completed surveys from students at 53 medical schools revealed a two factor structure with a correlation of 0.637 between factors. Factor 1 assesses self-efficacy in nutrition counseling while Factor 2 measures self-efficacy to assess readiness to change and initiate nutrition lifestyle changes. There was high reliability within factors (Factor 1 = 0.946; Factor 2 = 0.927), and the correlation (0.648) between the COP-SE survey and a general self-efficacy survey confirmed that the COP-SE measures domain-specific self-efficacy. This valid and reliable survey can be used by medical schools as a formative or summative assessment of students. self-efficacy in childhood obesity prevention and treatment. Further research should include confirming the factor structure and exploring the significance of response trends seen in this sample. The findings of all three studies can be used by premedical and medical programs to maximize the effectiveness of their preparatory programs to provide students with the necessary skills for prevention and treatment of childhood obesity. With the appropriate preparation, future healthcare providers can build their self-efficacy in disease prevention and treatment, hopefully resulting in improved patient outcomes.</p>

<p> Obesity is a chronic and debilitating medical condition that results from a complex mix of genetic, physiological, psychological, and social factors. Despite a recognized consensus regarding the complexity of obesity, little is known about how various demographic, medical, and cognitive performance variables interact in this population, especially in relation to factors which may contribute to the maintenance of obesity over time. Research has supported that one key aspect of this process is eating in response to psychological rather than physiological cues. Given the increased prevalence of psychopathology, particularly mood disorders, in obese individuals, the question arises as to whether there exists an underlying impairment in emotion recognition. </p><p> The current study sought to examine the associations among demographic and medical variables as well as performance on cognitive tests of memory, attention, executive function, sensory-motor, and verbal skills. Contrary to the hypothesis that BMI would be inversely related to performance on tests of emotion recognition, results indicated that as BMI increases, reaction time to complete these tasks decreases. This finding was noted even after the effects of age, gender, estimated pre-morbid IQ, pre-existing medical conditions, and performance in all neurocognitive domains was removed. In addition, when examined across BMI categories, it was observed that participants with BMIs greater than 40 kg/m2 showed the fastest reaction times. Overall, these findings provide support for contemporary theories of emotion which generally agree that emotions evolved to facilitate adaptation to environmental threat.</p>