The present study was conducted with the use of data from the Freshmen Health Study, a longitudinal study of college freshmen aged 18 that examined change in diet, physical activity, and weight during the first year of college at Utah State University (USU). Participants were assessed at different data collection periods including the beginning and end of their first semester attending USU. Participants' height and weight were measured and they were given a self-administered Food Frequency Questionnaire at each data collection. Simple linear and multivariate logistic regression was used to assess how dietary calcium intake related to weight change over a 16-week study period (one semester). There were 153 (82%) subjects who completed the second data collection during December 2005. The difference in weight between the beginning and end of fall semester was considered the main outcome. Changes in dietary calcium, dairy intake, and milk intake were also assessed as main outcomes. Means and standard deviations were used to describe population characteristics. Analysis of variance (ANOV A) was used to compare means across gender and quartiles of calcium intake. Simple linear regression and logistic regression were used to analyze the relationship between dietary calcium intake and weight change. The multivariate logistic model controlled for gender, physical activity, baseline BMI, and fruit and vegetable intake. Risk of weight gain was not associated with increasing quartile of dietary calcium intake in either unadjusted or multivariable logistic regression models. Subjects' mean calcium and dairy intake decreased significantly from baseline (p < 0.001). Although the average calcium intake for this population was less than current recommendations set by the FDA, dietary calcium intake did not appear to have any influence on weight change. Dairy and milk intake decreased significantly from high school to college; therefore, specific interventions to increase calcium intake from dairy foods would be appropriate in the adolescent population, especially in college freshmen.

The study was designed to assess the vitamin A and vitamin E status of persons receiving maintenance hemodialysis. Blood samples from thirty persons receiving hemodialysis, as well as age and sex-matched controls, were analyzed for vitamin A, vitamin E, and carotene using a spectrofluorometric assay for vitamins A and E, and a spectrophotometric assay for carotene. Dietary intakes of vitamins A and E were estimated via verbal questioning. Samples of dialysate were also studied. Results of the investigation showed significantly elevated vitamin A, normal vitamin E, and decreased carotene levels in persons with renal failure receiving maintenance hemodialysis, when compared with controls. Vitamin E measured in dialysate samples and in plasma were higher than expected. It is possible that the plastic and the petroleum ether reacted during the assay and resulted in false high values. Vitamin intakes were not significantly different between the two groups when supplementation was considered. Dietary and supplemental intake of vitamin A is most likely not of importance in the hypervitaminosis A seen in renal failure, as physiological or biochemical roles appear to be the underlying cause of elevated vitamin A levels. A role of hypervitaminosis A in regulating phospholipase, unsaturated fatty acid production, and therefore prostaglandin synthesis is possibly a mechanism in altering platelet aggregation and clotting in persons receiving hemodialysis treatment.

OBJECTIVE. The impact of exclusively breastfeeding (EBF) on child body mass index (BMI) from birth through 60 months of age was investigated. METHODS. 60,190 mothers and children attending Women, Infant and Children (WIC) clinics in the Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties of California provided data on breastfeeding duration, maternal pre-pregnancy BMI, and child weight-for-length (WL) was measured at 3 month intervals until 5 years of age. Missing time points were interpolated in determining child BMI/WL z-score trajectories plotted on the Center of Disease Control (CDC) infant and child growth curves. Multivariate analysis of variance was used to contrast the impact of notbeing EBF against being EBF from 0-3 months, and being EBF from 0-6 months. In subsets of the population the relationship was examined in White Hispanic (n=43,360) versus all others race/ethnicities of (n=16,830) children. All models controlled for maternal pre-pregnancy maternal BMI and income. RESULTS. Duration ofEBF from 0-3 months and 0-6 months of age was protective against child BMI z-scores being above the average growth trajectory (P=0.0001). Asignificant inverse association between EBF and overall BMI/WL z-scores for both males and females (P<0.0001) was found. The impact of EBF on child growth trajectory began to weaken at 15 months for females and 18 months for males. Children who were not EBF had higher mean BMI/WL z-scores at every time point than those who were EBF. Those who were EBF for 0-3 months had a lower BMI; those who were EBF for 0-6months had even lower BMI/WL z-scores by 5 years of age. Hispanic children had a higher BMI growth curve than non-Hispanic children even after adjusting for EBF, pre-pregnancy BMI, and income. Mothers with a higher pre-pregnancy BMI tended to have children with higher BMI/WL z-scores (P<0.0001). CONCLUSION. This study supports the public health efforts to encourage EBF for at least 3 months and optimally for 6 months as a method to protect against childhood obesity.

Plant-based diets have become popular in the past 10 years, with approximately 11% of Americans self-identifying as vegan or vegetarian, and many others trying to reduce meat consumption. Due to this increasing interest, the plant-based food market has exploded with several novel innovative products serving as alternatives to animal-based products. One such example is almond protein powder, a fairly new protein supplement created as an alternative to whey protein. A number of studies have compared animal-based protein supplementation, such as whey to plant-based supplementation, such as soy, on muscle protein synthesis and skeletal muscle preservation. Due to the novelty of almond protein, little is known regarding how well the protein supplement performs in the body. The effects of both almond and whey-based protein beverage on nitrogen balance, body composition, and hydration in the body were investigated in the work presented herein. Twenty female students aged 20-25 were randomly assigned to consume either an almond or whey-based protein drink twice daily for 7 days. A 24-hour urine collection was performed at baseline and endpoint of the 7-day treatment period, and nitrogen balance was assessed. The effects of supplementation on nitrogen balance in almond and whey protein were equally capable of increasing significantly the N balance from 8.58g to 11.66g (p =0.05), indicating that almond protein powder may be a functional plant-based replacement to whey protein powder, and may be of interest in future research regarding muscle mass and body composition changes.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most prevalent cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Despite the availability of early diagnosis and treatment options, which could potentially increase the 5-year survival rate, the accessibility of such CRC management measures remains limited due to cost barriers and uneven healthcare infrastructure globally. This underscores an urgent need for effective preventive methods and affordable treatments. Cannabidiol (CBD), a compound derived from cannabis, has garnered attention as a potential natural therapeutic agent. This study investigates the influence of CBD on the serotonin pathway and intestinal tumorigenesis. Serotonin, primarily produced in the intestine, is not only a critical neurotransmitter but also has complex and multifaceted biological functions. In this investigation, Caco-2 cells were exposed to CBD, and we observed an increase in serotonin levels. The treatment elevated the expression of several genes related to serotonin such as TPH, SLC6A4, HTR2A, HTR1D, HTR2C, and HTR4, with a notable increase in TPH and HTR2C. Concurrently, CBD exhibited an enhancement in immune response and significant inhibition of the Wnt signaling pathway, implying a protective role of CBD in CRC. Given the dual roles of serotonin in CRC - protective in early stages and promotive in later stages — the interaction between serotonin, the Wnt signaling pathway, and the immune system necessitates further research. Our findings shed new light on the potential role of CBD in inflammatory colorectal tumors, suggesting that CBD could be a promising candidate for CRC immunotherapy. Key words: Canabidiol, Colorectal Cancer, Serotonin pathway, Wnt-signaling.

Pantothenic acid nutritional status was evaluated in a cohort of twenty-nine Caucasian pregnant women, aged 20-35, during their third trimester of pregnancy, at two-weeks postpartum and at three months postpartum. Seventeen non-pregnant, non-lactating women who had similar demographic backgrounds as the pregnant women were selected as a control group and followed the same experimental schedule as the pregnant women. A fasting blood sample, two days 24-h urine specimens and diet record were obtained for each of two days from each subject at each period. The mean dietary pantothenic acid intakes of the women during pregnancy (5.30±1.74 mg/day) and during lactation (8.90±11.66 mg/day) were statistically similar to that of the control group (9.63±19.74 mg/day). A substantial number of the study population consumed less than 4 mg pantothenic acid daily. The average of 2.75 mg dietary pantothenic acid intake per 1000 kcal was consistent in all groups. The mean fasting blood level (406.38±78.21 ng/ml) and urinary excretion (3.21±0.88 mg/day, 3.85±1.24 mg/g creatinine) of the pregnant women were significantly lower than those of the control group (530.14±157.90 ng/ml; 4.38±3.69 mg/day, 5.78±4.90 mg/g creatinine). The suppressed panthothenic acid levels in blood and urinary excretion during pregnancy were increased to levels comparable to controls during the nursing period. Pantothenic acid lev~s in the biological fluids correlated significantly with dietary intake. A bound form of pantothenic acid was not detected in the plasma and plasma values were relatively constant. Thus, plasma was suggested as an insensitive indicator of pantotheriic acid nutritional status. The mean pantothenic acid contents of fore and hind milk samples were 2.60 microgram/ml, 2.44 microgram/ml, respectively and were not statistically different. Overall, the pregnant women consumed less than the suggested level of pantothenic acid, maintained lower blood levels and had decreased urinary excretion.

Adult Type II diabetes is an increasing public health problem, particularly among very low-income minority populations. The purpose of this study was to create a nutritional guide for a diabetic specific meal plan with an accompanying food pantry nutrition packet for very low-income Type II diabetic patients at a rural Mississippi Free Clinic. The practice-focused question is: Will a nurse-prepared nutritional guide with supplemental food packets improve the glucose control in low income diabetic patients? The gap in practice is that there has been no structured nutrition education guide and no food pantry support plan for Type II adult diabetics. The theoretical framework is Cockerham's health lifestyle theory. A project goal was to prepare food packets specific to the Type II diabetic patients proved not viable due to limited donations of food resources, no regular source of fresh foods, and limited refrigeration space at the food pantry. However, education resources were developed for meal planning using the glycemic index, integration of cultural food preferences, and simple food log for the patient to chart daily meals. Recommendations include program evaluation of the use of these educational materials on patient A1c levels and weight in this population. The food pantry can offer diabetic specific meal packets with community social investment. Social change is addressing self-management of nutritional needs of very low income diabetic patients. Implication for nursing practice includes promotion of dialogue amongst different disciplines interested in the nutritional aspect of improving A1c and glucose levels.

Mexican Americans, one of the fastest growing segments of the population, have been identified as having above-average rates of obesity. Yet, among this group, obesity rates seem to differ by immigrant status: recent immigrants, immigrants who have lived in the United States more than 15 years, and U.S.-born Mexican Americans. Guided by the acculturation phenomenon and the social ecological model, the current study assessed all 1,732 Mexican American children 12-19 years old who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2003 and 2008 to determine the association between body mass index (BMI) and language, years living in the United States, citizenship, birth country, household income and size, and school attendance. Analysis of variance and linear regression were used for statistical analysis. All of these variables were significantly associated with BMI in both the bivariate and linear regression analysis, although the R-squared value was small at .138, indicating that additional factors not included in this study also influence BMI. Measuring obesity and the correlated acculturation variables with currently available data sets will provide insight in the planning and administering effective interventions for Mexican American children 12-19 years of age and promote the global social change goal of healthy weights for all children.

The federal government established nutrition assistance programs such as the School Breakfast Program and school districts have implemented Breakfast in the Classroom (BIC) to improve participation rates, yet millions of low-income children do not partake in these programs. Thus, many school districts are failing to meet the nutritional needs of the low-income population, which can have negative effects on a child's healthy development. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to observe and explore teachers' perspectives regarding school breakfast implementation in a small school district in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. Research questions examined experiences with implementation, benefits and challenges to the program, and how children's needs are impacted based on Maslow's hierarchy of needs, the theoretical framework for this study. Data from the research participants' interviews, journals, and classroom observations were coded, themes were identified, and triangulation occurred to answer the research questions. Findings indicated changes need to be made with food portions, food options, food quality, the logistics of implementation, and outreach efforts. Recommendations included changing equipment, providing equal amounts of food, evaluating food options and quality, providing clean up supplies, and educating parents on BIC. Stakeholders addressing these challenges can increase support and participation rates in the program, leading to positive social change. Implications for positive social change include reduced state costs associated with hunger, decreased food insecurity for low-income families, improved behaviors in the classroom, and improved support of the physiological, safety, and socialization needs of children.

The purpose of this research was to determine selected nutritional practices of adult males. A survey instrument was developed to determine (a) what meals adult males ate and where these meals were eaten, (b) the level of activity of adult males in menu planning, food purchasing, and food preparation, (c) practices related to weight reduction, (d) practices related to nutrition of the family, and (e) selected demographic variables as related to nutritional practices. The survey instrument was administered to 156 adult males who were members of civic organizations in Sumner County, Tennessee. The subjects ranged in age from 24 to 89, and none were on medically prescribed diets. The collected data were analyzed using analysis of variance, multiple regression, Chi Square, crosstabulation, and Pearson product-moment correlation statistical techniques. Findings of this research study reinforce the need for nutrition education programs to be directed toward the adult male population. Over one half of the respondents considered themselves to be overweight. Perceived weight was significant at the .05 level with the frequency of planning and preparing meals by adult males. Respondents who thought of themselves as being average weight were more likely to participate in meal planning and preparation than were respondents that considered themselves overweight or underweight. Forty-three percent of the respondents prepared either breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Breakfast was the meal least likely to be eaten by adult males, but was the meal most often prepared by adult males. Dinner was the meal most likely to be eaten by adult males, the one most likely to be eaten at home, and the meal least likely to be prepared by adult males. Snacks were eaten by 73.9 percent of the respondents. Employment of the wife was significant at the .05 level with the adult male's participation in meal planning and preparation in meal planning and preparation for the family and where the adult male ate lunch. As the number of hours per week the wife worked increased, the participation of the male in meal planning and preparation increased. Slightly over one half of the respondents accepted responsibility for the nutrition education of their children. The amount of milk consumed and the taking and frequency of taking vitamins were significant at the .05 level with how often the subjects planned and prepared meals, purchased groceries, and which meals were eaten, and where these meals were eaten. As the amount of milk consumed increased and the taking and frequency of taking vitamins increased, participation in these activities increased and more meals were eaten at home. The results of this research study demonstrated that adult males actively participate in menu planning, food purchasing, and meal preparation for themselves and their families. Further research is needed to determine the type of nutrition education programs that would best target the adult male population.