Dietary calcium exerts an anti-obesity effect, and dairy exerts about twice the activity as supplemental calcium. Milk contains angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) and a high concentration of branched chain amino acids (BCAA), both of which may contribute to an anti-obesity effect through effects on lipid metabolism and muscle protein synthesis, respectively. To test this hypothesis, aP2-agouti transgenic mice were maintained for 6 weeks on an obesigenic soy based diet and then randomized into an ad libitum control group and energy restricted (70% of ad lib) diets containing soy protein (0.4% Ca), non-fat dry milk (NFDM; 1.2% Ca) or Ca-depleted NFDM (0.4% Ca) for an additional 6 weeks; the soy diet was provided with or without an ACEi and BCAA supplement and provided at either 0.4 or 1.2% Ca. The NFDM group exhibited ~2-fold greater reduction in body weight and fat than the energy restricted group (p<0.01), and the Ca-depleted milk group exerted 60% of the effect of intact milk (p<0.01); this effect was replicated by the ACEi/BCAA supplemented diet, and addition of calcium to this diet resulted in further weight and fat loss. Overall, the Ca, ACEi and BCAA content of milk accounted for ~90% of its anti-obesity activity. Moreover, diets with native or supplemented BCAA attenuated muscle loss. These data indicate that Ca is responsible for ~40% of the anti-obesity effect of milk while BCAA and ACEi are responsible for much of the additional activity. The results of this study have significance for dieters wishing to achieve optimal body composition. Dairy components are seen here to help with fat loss and lean maintenance during calorie restriction, which may then further aid maintenance of weight loss.

The purpose of this project was to examine the relationship between caffeine consumption and sleep habits in emerging adults (those individuals aged 18 to 21 years old attending college) by 1) describing caffeinated beverage consumption and sleep patterns and 2) describing the association between reported caffeine use and reported bedtime and hours of sleep per night. Normal sleeping routines are one of the first things that are negatively affected and changed for college students. Sleeping problems, lower sleep quantity, and poorer sleep quality usually goes hand in hand with increasing academia levels or grades. Caffeine is the most commonly consumed psychoactive substance in the world. It induces many physiological and cognitive affects; while causing many unwanted ones, like sleeplessness, anxiety, and heart palpitations. Secondary data analysis was conducted using data from a 2-part web-based survey called, “Promoting Healthy, Happy, UT Graduates: Combating Stress and the Freshman 15”. This survey was given at three different time frames, before the start of the fall 2006 college semester (Wave 1), at the end of the fall 2006 semester (Wave 2), and at the end of the spring 2007 semester (Wave 3). For the purposes of this project, only Wave 1 (N=1,293) and Wave 3 (N=770) were utilized for data analysis. A crosssectional study was conducted with Wave 1 and Wave 3; then a longitudinal analysis was done on the 439 participants who answered both surveys (overlapped). The results showed, exiting freshmen slept approximately 1.1 hours less per night than incoming freshmen (p<0.05). Incoming freshmen reported sleeping 7.9 hours per night, but actually received 8.7 hours. Exiting freshmen reported sleeping 6.8 hours per night, but actually received 7.6 hours. Sixty-nine point seven percent of incoming freshmen consumed some form of caffeine daily compared to 66.2% of exiting freshmen whom consumed some form of caffeine daily. A small association was found between caffeine intake and sleep patterns. Emerging adults who consumed 4 or more caffeinated beverages per day or an estimated 300 mg of caffeine or more were more likely to go to bed at 2 am or later and sleep less during the night.

INTRODUCTION: Introduction of solid foods before the recommended age of 4-6 months is a common practice in the United States, and appears to be especially prevalent among infants who are enrolled in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Currently, little is known about how fathers influence early infant feeding decisions, outside of the decision to breast- or formulafeed. The purpose of this study was to explore how fathers perceive the role they play in feeding and caring for their infants. METHODS: Participants were 21 male-caregivers, who were fathers or partners of the mothers of WIC income-eligible infants residing in two rural East Tennessee counties. In-depth, audio-taped telephone interviews were completed. Interviews were transcribed, coded, and analyzed according to standard grounded theory procedures to identify emergent concepts. These concepts were explored and linked together to become themes. RESULTS: Three themes emerged: 1) fathers’ roles; 2) fathers’ perceptions; 3) and control. Concepts within the theme of “fathers’ roles” included physical and emotional support for both mother and infant, validation of maternal decisions, and financial support. In this study, fathers’ perceptions were primarily shaped by their own experiences, advice from those with experience, and information sought by the fathers. The theme of control appears to be the linkage between the fathers’ attempts to modify infant behavior and infants’ responses. CONCLUSIONS: A final conceptual model was created to explain the inter-related nature of the themes and may be helpful to those who work with fathers and/or families of new infants.

Adipose tissue is well recognized as an endocrine organ and a source of proinflammatory molecules 1. We recently demonstrated calcitriol stimulates adipocte reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and inflammatory stress (IS), while dietary calcium suppression of calcitriol exerted the opposite effect. These effects are mediated, in part, by calcitriol modulation of intracellular calcium (Ca2+) signaling and mitochondrial potential. However, adipocytes contain a functional RAS, and angiotensin II (ANGII) modulates ROS and IS. Accordingly, we investigated the role of ANGII in mediating calcitriol effects. Calcitriol (1 nM) stimulated NOX4 expression and ROS production in 3T3-L1 adipocytes by 67% (p<0.01), while these effects were reversed by ACE inhibition (enalipril) or antagonism of either ANGII type 1 receptor (AT1R) or ANGII type 2 receptor (AT2R), antagonism. Similarly, ANG (0-.1-1.0 nM) stimulated NOX4 expression (p<0.03) and this effect was reversed by AT1R or AT2R antagonism. Calcitriol and ANGII both suppressed adiponectin expression (p<0.04) and increased IL6 and MCP-1 expression ~2 fold (p<0.03), and these effects were reversed with enalapril or AT2R, but not AT1R, antagonism. These data demonstrate that calcitriol modulation of adipocyte ROS production and IS is modulated, in part, by the adipocyte RAS.

The purpose of this study was to assess differences in the use of dietary supplements and beliefs related to their use based on college major, physical activity frequency, and weight status among college students enrolled in an introductory nutrition class. A secondary database consisting of introductory nutrition students at University of Tennessee, Knoxville during spring semester 2008 was used and contained a sample of 306 participants. Data were taken from results of a two part survey. The first section asked participants to respond about their use of dietary supplements and the second section asked participants to respond to their beliefs statements about supplements. Dietary supplements were assessed in 3 categories: vitamin and minerals, herbals, and ergogenic aids. Results showed that the most commonly used dietary supplements were vitamins and minerals with 228 (74.5%) of respondents reporting that they consumed at least 1 vitamin or mineral supplement in the last 12 months. While only 23 (7.5%) respondents reported using ergogenic aids, the use of this supplement category varied the most based upon major, weight status, and physical activity. Non-health-related majors (19.6% versus 9.0% of Health-related majors, p<0.01), overweight and obese individuals (26.7% versus 8.2% of normal and underweight respondents, p<0.001), and those who exercised daily (21.7% compared to 8.2% who exercised weekly or less, p<0.001) were more likely to take them. Major played no role in health beliefs scores, but individuals that exercised daily and those who were overweight or obese had higher mean beliefs scores, showing stronger health beliefs related to dietary supplements. Use of ergogenic aids varied the most based upon study variables. Therefore, future research should focus on determining reasons for this.

Background: The effects of psychological stress on eating behaviors either through psychological/social influences (i.e. comfort foods, learned behaviors) or psychoneuroendocrine pathways have been studied for many years; however, a review of current research is lacking. The purpose of this study is to conduct a systematic literature review of the relationship between stress and eating behaviors with a concentration on how stress and eating behaviors are measured. Methods: PubMed and PsycINFO databases were searched to identify peer-reviewed English-language human studies published between 1966 and March 2006. Keywords and subject headings used were: stress, eating, feeding behaviors, food habits, energy intake, diet, appetite, stress-related eating, stress eating, stress induced eating, and dietary restraint. This resulted in the retrieval of 1025 citations. Numerous exclusion criteria were applied and after review, 50 articles were deemed relevant and included in the study. Results: There is little consistency in either measurement of stress or measurement of eating behavior. Despite the heterogeneity in both exposure and outcomes, studies have found some relationships between stress and eating. Stress may impact intake by increasing or decreasing frequency of eating or increasing selection of foods high in fat, sugar, and/or salt. Conclusions: The variety in the measurement of both stress and eating behavior in the stress-eating literature has produced wide-ranging and somewhat inconsistent results. Oftentimes the participants are studied in either a laboratory setting or at only one point in time, both of which are insufficient to measure overall changes in diet caused by stress. Further research, including more comprehensive assessment of eating behavior changes caused by stress, is needed to better understand the stress-eating relationship and its possible health effects. In the fast-paced society we live in, many individuals experience high levels of stress on a daily basis, creating the potential to significantly contribute to unhealthy dietary behaviors both immediately and long-term.

Thesis (M.S.)--Ohio State University. / Includes bibliographical references. Available online via OhioLINK's ETD Center

Family planning programme

The purpose of this study was to assess differences in the use of dietary supplements and beliefs related to their use based on college major, physical activity frequency, and weight status among college students enrolled in an introductory nutrition class. A secondary database consisting of introductory nutrition students at University of Tennessee, Knoxville during spring semester 2008 was used and contained a sample of 306 participants. Data were taken from results of a two part survey. The first section asked participants to respond about their use of dietary supplements and the second section asked participants to respond to their beliefs statements about supplements. Dietary supplements were assessed in 3 categories: vitamin and minerals, herbals, and ergogenic aids. Results showed that the most commonly used dietary supplements were vitamins and minerals with 228 (74.5%) of respondents reporting that they consumed at least 1 vitamin or mineral supplement in the last 12 months. While only 23 (7.5%) respondents reported using ergogenic aids, the use of this supplement category varied the most based upon major, weight status, and physical activity. Non-health-related majors (19.6% versus 9.0% of Health-related majors, p<0.01), overweight and obese individuals (26.7% versus 8.2% of normal and underweight respondents, p<0.001), and those who exercised daily (21.7% compared to 8.2% who exercised weekly or less, p<0.001) were more likely to take them. Major played no role in health beliefs scores, but individuals that exercised daily and those who were overweight or obese had higher mean beliefs scores, showing stronger health beliefs related to dietary supplements. Use of ergogenic aids varied the most based upon study variables. Therefore, future research should focus on determining reasons for this.

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the experiences of low-income breastfeeding women in East Tennessee. Participants were recruited from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and from a birth registry housed at the university. Eligibility criteria included women who were currently breastfeeding infants less than 9 months of age and were income-eligible for WIC. Data were collected through audiorecorded in-depth telephone interviews. Eighteen interviews were conducted. Recording error led to only 16 interviews being available for analysis. However, saturation was still achieved. Transcripts were coded by a coding team, using standard coding techniques. Using grounded theory and cluster analysis, major themes emerged including aversions to formula-feeding, commitment to overcome the challenges of breastfeeding, desire for additional support, and assessing abilities through comparison with others‟ experiences. In conclusion, results of this qualitative work indicate that low-income women who choose to breastfeed recognize the differences of others‟ breastfeeding experiences and are aware of difficulties that can arise with either breastfeeding or formula-feeding.