In previous studies, in has been observed that the addition of resistant starch (RS) in the diet of rodents, a non-digestible fermentable fiber, promotes increases in markers of fermentation and improvements in body weight and body fat analysis when incorporated into low to moderate fat diets. This study investigated whether the same beneficial effects observed with RS addition in these lower fat diets could be obtained in a high fat diet, and if the type of fatty acid consumed in the diet makes a difference in markers of fermentation and body fat. Sprague Dawley rats (n=96) were fed as weight of diets, RS (27%), and Hi-fat (20%) or low fat (7%), for 12 weeks. Fish oil (4%) was given to half of the groups in order to assess the effects of fatty acid composition. The results revealed that markers of fermentation (pH and SCFA) were significantly decreased and increased, respectively, in RS fed groups (p<0. 05), but the high fat diet partially interfered with these improvements by reducing the amount of fermentation when compared to low fat groups. Gut hormones glucagon like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and peptide YY (PYY) were also significantly increased (p<0.05), but high fat diet demonstrated partial interference with PYY levels by reducing the level of this hormone when compared to low fat fed groups. The results of the abdominal fat analysis also revealed that RS significantly reduced body fat in RS fed animals (p<0.05), but the reduction was reduced from 24% in low-fat fed animals to 9% in high fat fed animals. In conclusion, RS promotes benefits in fermentation and body fat reduction, but the fat content of the diet moderated the level of improvement observed.

Current research indicates paucity in studying the intersection between specific facets of religion and psychological functioning. The current study addresses symptoms commonly manifested in university students adjusting to new expectations. The study addresses the interface between religion and mental health, particularly depression, which is a complex and multifaceted issue. The foundation of the current research was the Dollahite and Marks (2009) model which identified religion as a meta-variable based on three identified dimensions: beliefs, practices, and faith community. The purpose of the current study is to explore the complex relationships between religion, stress, and depression. The hypotheses predict (1) an inverse relationship between religion and depression, (2) a direct relationship between stress and depression, and (3) a buffering effect of religion on the relationship between stress and depression. In light of the rising needs in research, these predictions were based on a look at specific facets of religion. The participants provided survey data comprised of 212 psychology students in a convenience sample. Descriptive statistics and multiple regression analyses were used to analyze the data. The results indicated that females show higher levels of depression than do males and that social support is negatively related to depression. The current research showed significant findings in (1) the negative relationship between spiritual beliefs and depression, (2) the positive relationship between stress and depression, (3) the buffering impact of religious practices and faith community involvement as these variables interact with stress in relation to depression. The findings contributed to the existing body of research in that the negative relationship between beliefs and depression supported the Marks (2006) research. The positive relationship between stress and depression supported the research of Lee (2007) and the meta-analysis of Liu and Alloy (2010). Finally, the buffering effects of religious practices and faith community involvement on the relationship between stress and depression contributed to the complex findings of the research of Strawbridge, Shema, Cohen, Roberts, & Kaplan (1998). Above all, this study showed the dire need for future studies on religion and pathology and well-being using groundwork models such as the Dollahite and Marks (2009) conceptual model.

Due to their impact on the environment, apparel companies have gradually begun to change manufacturing and production processes and provide consumers with environmentally responsible apparel product options. Among these consumers are Hispanics, a consumer group which research has shown to have a strong purchasing power and astounding population increase. Between 2000 and 2010, the total population in the United States increased by 23.7million people, with Hispanics accounting for over 50% of that total increase (Humes, Jones, & Ramirez, 2011). It is estimated that by 2125 Hispanics will account for 50% of the total U.S. population (Day, 1996). Additionally, between 1990 and 2006, Hispanic buying power had a 450% growth versus a 176% growth of the non-Hispanic population (Humphreys, 2008). It is expected that Hispanic buying power will increase to $1.2 trillion by the year 2012 (Humphreys, 2007). Specifically, females account for 80% of household buying decisions (Gogoi, 2005). With this substantial financial impact, it is imperative that retailers better understand this consumer group. Using the theory of planned behavior and acculturation theory, the purpose of this research was to study the effects environmental knowledge has on environmental attitude and the influence environmental attitude, subjective norms, and the perceived control have on behavioral intention to purchase environmentally responsible apparel products. An online survey of 548 female Hispanic university students in the southeast region of the United States was conducted to collect data in this empirical quantitative study. The study of 65 participants found significant relationships between: environmental knowledge and attitude; attitude and behavioral intent; subjective norms and behavioral intention; and perceived behavioral control and behavioral intent within the female Hispanic population. These results reflect the application of the Theory of Planned Behavior as a theoretical framework to aid in measuring the behavioral intention with respect to the purchase of environmentally responsible apparel products.

Chinese culture has dramatically influenced Western womens fashionable dress over many centuries. Researchers have studied Chinese dress and its influence on Western womens dress in the eighteenth, nineteenth, and early twentieth century. However, no research has systematically examined Chinese dress influences on Western womens dress from the time that China reopened its door to the West in the 1970s and into the twenty-first century. The purpose of this study is to trace Chinese influence in Western womens dress from 1960 to 2009 in American Vogue magazine. The specific aims of this study are to identify and record the influence of the Hanfu, Qipao, and Mao suit along with other Chinese dress characteristics, including accessories, hair styles, and makeup, on Western womens dress as depicted in the magazine over fifty years. The ways in which elements and patterns of Chinese dress were adopted into modern Western womens fashion was examined along with concurrent social changes and globalization by tracing a single popular fashion magazine, American Vogue. Content analysis was applied to answer the research questions. A total of 704 issues of American Vogue were examined and the frequencies of Chinese attributes present in both visual representations and written references in every issue were recorded. The visual counts were accompanied by examination of verbal text, such as articles, editorials, and figure captions that referred to China. The results indicate that Chinese influence in visual representations was seen throughout the entire research period in greater numbers than written references. The two decades with the highest numbers of occurances in both written references and visual representations were the 1970s and 1990s. Garment features had higher frequencies than fabric, accessories, and other features. As a garment type, Qipao had the greatest influence on Western womens dress. Collars appeared as the most influenced construction element depicted in Vogue. Political events, culture, globalization, and fashion trends all played important roles in the frequency of Chinese influences seen on Western womens fashionable dress in American Vogue.

The objective of these studies was to determine the association between dietary intakes of selected food groups, macronutrients, and micronutrients in mother-child dyads. This was a secondary analysis of data on low-income Black, Hispanic, and White children 3-5 years-old (y) participating in Head Start (HS) (n=650), and their mothers. Mothers served as a proxy for their child, and self-reported intake during a multiple-pass 24-hour recall interview for one weekend day. One weekend day was chosen since children attended HS during the week, and mothers may not know what their children consumed outside the home. Data were collected on childrens and mothers intakes of servings of snacks, sweets, fruit, and vegetables, and amounts of energy, dietary fiber, vitamin D, calcium, potassium, added sugars, saturated fatty acids (SFA), trans fat, and sodium. Analysis of variance was conducted to determine differences in intakes by race. Pearson partial correlation coefficients were determined to assess the associations of intakes between children and mothers. Both children and mothers met the recommendation for vegetables; however, they did not meet the recommendations for fruit, dietary fiber, vitamin D, calcium, or potassium. Further, they exceeded the recommendations for SFA and sodium. Intake of all food groups and nutrients in mothers was associated with intake of the corresponding food groups and nutrients in children (p<0.0001 for all). Nutrition professionals need to encourage mothers to consume healthy snacks, such as fruit and vegetables, and consume foods that are high in nutrients of public health concern, which include dietary fiber, vitamin D, calcium, and potassium. Nutrition professionals should also encourage mothers to consume low amounts of foods that are high in nutrients of overconsumption, which include added sugars, SFA, trans fat, and sodium. Modeling of these habits by mothers may encourage healthy eating habits in children.

The Macular Study was a case control study that evaluated if parity and other participant characteristics predicted the diagnosis of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Women, compared to men, are at higher risk for AMD. AMD is one of the leading causes of blindness in the elderly population [1]. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3) is a long-chain fatty acid that is essential for the structure and function of the eye. During pregnancy the growing fetus depletes the maternal stores of DHA through placental transfer. The fetus needs an ample supply of DHA for proper retinal and central nervous system development. To date there is no research evaluating the number of pregnancies and their effect on development of AMD. We posed the question: Does the number of pregnancies have an effect on the development of AMD in women? Degree of AMD was documented and evaluated by four different eye doctors in Baton Rouge for 501 women. The women in the study completed a health history form that included demographic information, information about past pregnancies, and general health. Using analysis of variance (ANOVA), women with a higher number of births were more likely to be diagnosed with early, intermediate or advanced AMD versus those women never diagnosed (3.27 + 0.19, 3.64 + 0.22, 3.33 + 0.24 versus 2.53 + 0.15, number of children P<0.0001). Numerous risk factors were considered, along with parity, in subsequent analyses; these were age, race, eye color, smoking history, vitamin intake, fish oil intake, family history of AMD, history of hypertension, and body mass index (BMI). Using backwards-stepwise regression the most significant risk factors predicting the diagnosis of AMD were determined (P < 0.01) and entered into a logistic regression model. Age, parity, BMI, and BMI by parity significantly predicted the diagnosis of AMD. As age, BMI and the number of pregnancies increased, the probability of being diagnosed with AMD also increased. In conclusion, older women, with a higher BMI, who have had more pregnancies, were more likely to have AMD compared to younger women with a lower BMI and fewer pregnancies. It is important that future studies consider parity as a possible risk for AMD, especially as it relates to other participant characteristics. Such studies may provide insight as to why women are at greater risk for AMD.

One fiber that is being researched as a possible alternative to the petroleum based polyester fibers currently being used is polylactic acid (PLA). Being aware of the low heat resistance and degradation of PLA during processing is a concern for practical production and the performance of the polymer. Disperse dyed PLA film and solution dyed PLA film, along with un-dyed film and the original PLA pellets have been investigated to determine molecular weight. Infrared analysis has been conducted to examine the compounds found in the PLA samples at different steps in the polymer processing. Un-dyed PLA samples have been subjected to different heat treatments to observe the changes associated with temperature exposure. PLA has also been analyzed after dyeing to view the effects of the coloration method to the PLA structure.

Childhood obesity rates have more than tripled since the 1970s, and this increased prevalence is cause for concern as childhood obesity increases the risk of adult obesity and other comorbid diseases. Evidence suggests that the origins of obesity can be identified in infanthood. Accurate methods of assessing food intake in infants can be utilized to establish effective feeding practices in infanthood and to assess the relationship between infant feeding practices and the risk of childhood obesity. Current methods are either subjective or have limited ability for widespread use beyond clinical research settings due to cost and high burden. The aim of the Baby Bottle study was to assess the accuracy of the Remote Food Photography Method (RFPM), a novel food intake assessment method, in estimating infant formula as compared to the gold standard, the directly weighed foods method. In the Baby Bottle study, fifty-three adults were recruited to prepare infant formula bottles and use the RFPM to capture photographs of infant formula at different stages of bottle preparation. Dry food provision, liquid food provision, and liquid waste gram weights measured by the RFPM and directly weighed foods method were compared to assess the accuracy of the RFPM in the estimation of infant formula. Paired dependent t-tests and the Bland-Altman regression method were employed to determine if the weight estimations of RFPM differed from the weights measured by the directly weighed foods method. Multivariate analysis of variance was used to analyze the effects of trial number and caregiver status on infant formula preparation. The RFPM estimated liquid formula intake within 10% of the directly weighed foods method, with error of -4.1 ± 14.4% (P<0.0001), 2.8 ± 16.3% (P=0.1550), and 7.0 ± 12.4% (P<0.0001) in 2 fluid ounce, 4 fluid ounce, and 6 fluid ounce bottles, respectively. The RFPM overestimated liquid formula intake by 14.0 ± 10.3% (P<0.0001) in 8 fluid ounce bottles. There were no significant differences between individuals in the caregiver group (n=28) and the non-caregiver group (n=25) based on all demographic and descriptive characteristics. There were no significant differences for the effects of trial number and caregiver status on infant formula preparation except for a significant main effect of caregiver status on the preparation of dry food provision of 2 fluid ounce bottles (P=0.0499) and a significant interaction between trial number and caregiver status on preparation of dry food provision of 4 fluid ounce bottles (P=0.0146). In conclusion, the RFPM is a viable method of measuring infant formula intake as it provides more valid estimates as compared to commonly used self-report methods in clinical practice and research and decreased cost, burden, and time commitment from individuals as compared to current objective methods.

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore how female collegiate volleyball athletes use dress and appearance practices to create, maintain, and negotiate their sport identity and gender identity, in-sport and everyday, from the time they played collegiate volleyball to present day. The study was guided by grounded theory and phenomenology. Semi-structured, in-depth, active qualitative interviews with 12 women, who represented American, Brazilian, Canadian, and Romanian viewpoints, were analyzed using open coding and thematic analysis procedures. Analysis revealed three key themes related to female collegiate volleyball athletes use of dress and appearance practices as a means to shape and influence their sport and gender identities: (a) conceptualizing the female collegiate volleyball culture as understood by dress and appearance, (b) female collegiate volleyball athlete subject formation, and (c) performing female collegiate volleyball athlete identities. Findings revealed that they used dress and appearance practices to understand their sport identity and gender identity when they played volleyball in college and that they currently use dress and appearance practices in their everyday lives as a way to understand their subject positions. Female collegiate volleyball athletes conceptualized their ways of understanding social and cultural expectations by using their dress and appearance practices and bodies as mediums for interpretation.

Fashion magazines are the most accessible source for women to learn the latest about fashion and trends. Publishing company Condé Nast owns many consumer fashion magazines including the American editions of Lucky and Vogue. Even though both magazines are classified under the genre of fashion, these magazines are branded differently. Vogue features editorial styling, which is garments arranged lavishly and creatively for the glossy fashion spreads. However, Lucky magazine contains both editorial and lifestyle styling. To reinforce the styled image, fashion magazines place captions in these editorials. Captions transform these garments into written language. Since each magazine uses different types of styling, editors are writing captions in different formats. The purpose of the study is to investigate the stylistic similarities and differences of fashion captions in Lucky and Vogue. Additionally, semantic-syntax tree diagrams were used to determine how the fashion captions communicate meaning. This study followed a mixed methods approach using a purposive sample (n=14). The March and September issues were examined from 2010-2013. Data results show magazines are written primarily in grammatical modifiers. Different from prior research, nouns were the largest category, and adjectives composed the second largest category. Some captions did not have verbs resulting in mainly a descriptive narrative. Each magazine differed in the types of verbs used, frequency of proper nouns, and types of prepositions. Furthermore, when editors are not telling a fashion story, then captions are written as imperative commands. When telling a fashion story, the garment is often personified to take on human characteristics or described as possessing certain characteristics. Both magazines use these writing styles to convey different ideas and content to the reader. The results of this study strengthened the belief that a distinct stylistic form of writing exists in fashion captions. From this study, fashion editors and scholars may become more aware of the current stylistic formations featured in fashion captions, and further enhance their knowledge of how to communicate editorial trends and themes to their intended audience.