No description available.

No description available.

The nutritional status of forty-five women aged 71 to 89 years, who met defined health criteria, was assessed by an analysis of three-day diet records and anthropometric measurements. Subjects were grouped, according to the average caloric intake at home <75%> of daily intake to reflect the dependency of the subjects. Subjects were also divided into seven groups according to the site from which they were recruited.For the total population, there was no correlation between calorie intake per day and age, and there were negative correlations between age and all of the measures of body composition. In addition, a higher intake of calories per kg was negatively correlated with weight, suggesting that the heavier subjects had proportionately lower levels of caloric intake per kg of body weight.There were no significant differences in the risk for protein-calorie malnutrition (PCM) among the healthy elderly women who were subjects of this study as measured by an analysis of their dietary intake and anthropometric status, and based upon their dependency on others for <_75%> of their average daily caloric intake. It is concluded that for this population, source of food at home or away, as an indication of dependency, did not significantly affect nutritional status.When grouped according to the site from which they were reecruited, subjects in two of the groups were found to have the potential for malnutrition. Subjects in one of the groups had poor intakes of vitamins and minerals, but adequate body fat and somatic protein stores, and were not at risk for PCM. However, subjects in the other group appeared to have good diets and adequate fat mass, but very low muscle protein stores, and were at significant risk for PCM.The role of socioeconomic factors were minimal in this population as the two groups found to be at greatest risk were those observed to be near opposite ends of the socioeconomic spectrum. Therefore, it is concluded that upper income elderly are as much at risk for PCM as those in lower income groups, and that women in upper socioeconomic groups must be assessed for risk for PCM.It is apparent that the nutritional needs of most of the healthy elderly women in the study were being met. For those groups found to be potentially at risk, there was a possibility that they may not have been as healthy as was indicated, suggesting that risk for PCM is more a function of poor health which results in associated dependency. / Department of Home Economics

While replacement of dietary saturated fat with unsaturated fat has been advocated to reduce cardiovascular disease risk, diets high in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) could increase low density lipoprotein (LDL) susceptibility to oxidation, potentially contributing to the pathology of atherosclerosis. To assess in vivo lipid peroxidation and susceptibility, of LDL surface and core lipids to ex vivo oxidation, in women consuming increased amounts of specific unsaturated fatty acids, 15 postmenopausal women took daily supplements of sunflower oil providing 12.3 g/day of oleate, safflower oil providing 10.5 g/day of linoleate, and fish oil providing 2.0 g/day of eicosapentaenoate (EPA) and 1.4 g/day of docosahexaenoate (DHA) during a crossover trial. Plasma F₂-isoprostanes (F₂-isoP), malondialdehyde (MDA), and thiobarbituric acid reacting substances (TEARS) were measured to assess lipid peroxidation in vivo. Ex vivo oxidation of LDL was monitored by measuring the formation of phosphatidylcholine hydroperoxides (PCOOH) and cholesteryl linoleate hydroperoxides (CE18:200H) during coppermediated oxidation. Plasma free F₂-isoP and MDA concentrations were lower after EPA/DHA supplementation than after oleate (P = 0.001, F₂-isoP and 0.02, MDA) and linoleate supplementation (P = 0.04 for both F₂-isoP and MDA). However, plasma TBARS concentrations were higher after EPA/DHA than after oleate (P = 0.001) and linoleate supplementation (P = 0.0004). During LDL oxidation, the lag phase for PCOOH formation was shorter in EPA/DHA- than oleate- (P = 0.0001) and linoleate-enriched LDL (P = 0.002), while the lag phase for CE18:200H was shorter in EPA/DHA- than oleate- (P = 0.01) but not linoleate-enriched LDL. The maximal rate of PCOOH formation was lower in EPA/ DHA- than linoleate- (P = 0.007) but not oleate-enriched LDL, while the maximal rate of CE18:200H formation was lower in EPA/DHA- than oleate- (P = 0.03) and linoleate-enriched LDL (P [less than or equal to] 0.0001). The maximal concentrations of PCOOH and CE18:200H were lower in EPA/DHA- than oleate- (P [less than or equal to] 0.05) and linoleate-enriched LDL (P [less than or equal to] 0.01). Oleate-enrichment generally decreased the oxidative susceptibility of LDL surface and core lipids, while EPA/DHA-enrichment did not increase LDL oxidative susceptibility compared to linoleate-enrichment. This study emphasizes the need for more than one relevant assay of in vivo lipid peroxidation. / Graduation date: 2000

In two studies we tested the effect of vitamin B-6 (B-6) intake on in vitro lymphocyte, proliferation and IL-2 production in healthy young women. In Study I, 6 women were fed a constant diet containing 0.84 mg (4.96 μmols) of B-6 for 12 d, and 1.24 mg (7.33 μmols) and 2.44 mg (14.42 μmols) of B-6 during two subsequent 10-d periods. Lymphocyte proliferation in response to the mitogens concanavalin A (Con A) and pokeweed mitogen (PWM) was significantly higher (p < 0.05) at 2.44 mg than at 0.84 mg intake and the pre-study value. In Study II, 10 women who consumed their self-selected diets were randomly divided into a PN and a placebo group of five each. Following a 5-d baseline period, the PN group received a daily supplement of 1.5 mg (7.29 μmols) and 50 mg (243 μmols) pyridoxine.HC1 (PN.HC1) for 7 and 6 d, respectively. This was followed by a 28-d washout period during which no supplement or placebo was administered. After daily 1.5 mg supplementary PN.HC1 for seven days, lymphocyte proliferation in response to phytohemagglutinin (PHA), Con A and PWM, and IL-2 production were significantly higher than the baseline (p < 0.05) and that of the placebo group (p < 0.05). The 50 mg PN.HC1 supplement increased IL-2 production, but not lymphocyte proliferation as compared with the 1.5 mg PN.HC1 supplement period. Lymphocyte proliferation and IL-2 production were significantly correlated with lymphocyte pyridoxal 5'- phosphate concentrations (p < 0.01). We conclude that a B-6 intake of 1.5 to 2 times the RDA improves lymphocyte proliferation and IL-2 production in healthy young women and this effect of B-6 on immunocompetence is transitory. To explore the basis for the effect of B-6 on immune function, putrescine was added to the culture medium (2 - 200 μmol/L). In vitro lymphocyte proliferation and IL-2 production were not changed by the addition of putrescine under our experimental conditions. / Graduation date: 1995

Graduation date: 1995

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of California, San Diego and San Diego State University, 2002. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 242-255).

Thesis (M. Ed.)--University of Alabama at Birmingham, 2007. / Title from PDF title page (viewed Feb. 1, 2010). Includes bibliographical references (p. 13-15).

Hypothesis. We hypothesized that contrary to "normal aging," frail elderly women would have a heightened resting energy expenditure per kg fat free mass (REE/kg FFM) and thermic effect of food (TEF) response. / Methods. 13 healthy (H) [X +/- SEM: 81.4 +/- 1.1 yr] and 9 frail elderly women (F) [84.7 +/- 1.6 yr], free from acute conditions underwent REE and TEF measurements (liquid standard mixed meal: 720 kcal, 58% carbohydrate, 14% protein, 28% fat) using ventilated hood indirect calorimetry. Anthropometric and body composition measurements, thyroid hormones, cortisol, cytokines and catecholamine concentrations, and physical activity (PASE) and mobility ("time up and go" TUG) scores were related to the results obtained. / Results. H had a faster TUG: 10.2 +/- 1.6 vs. 21.0 +/- 9.3 s (p=0.001), greater PASE score: 179.2 +/- 116.1 vs. 47.1 +/- 26.2 (p=0.003), greater triiodothyronine [T3]: 5.1 +/- 0.6 vs. 4.3 +/- 0.4 rhomol/L (p=0.003) and lower cortisol concentrations: 351.1 +/- 19.9 vs. 474.5 +/- 43.6 nmol/L (p=0.011). In H vs. F: REE/kg FFM was 1044 +/- 20.4, 1021 +/- 23.7 kcal/day (NS) and TEF response as expressed as % of REE was 18.4 +/- 5.6, 19.5 +/- 4.2 (NS). The time course of glucose (p=0.043) and insulin from 90 minutes onwards (P=0.013) suggested insulin resistance in F. REE was positively correlated with FFM, percent body fat and [T3] (r>0.499, p<0.021). / Conclusion. REE/kg FFM and TEF response was not different between H and F and thus the greater prevalence of malnutrition in F, cannot be explained by these parameters.

The objective of this study was to investigate if there was a difference in the dietary intake of calcium and iron between female college aged dancers and non-dancers. Three day food records of 18 dancers and 21 non-dancers were analyzed for calcium and iron using Nutritionist IV computer software. Though not statistically significant dancers had a higher intake of calcium than non-dancers (864.7 mg/d vs. 796.2 mg/d) The main sources of calcium for both groups was milk followed by cheese. Mean daily intake of iron for dancers and non-dancers was 16.9 mg/d and 16.5 mg/d respectively. Grains were the main source of iron for both groups. A participants survey was used to collect descriptive data such as height, weight, smoking status, hours spent exercising , use of multivitamin supplements and nutrition course attended. Five dancers and four non-dancers took multivitamin plus mineral supplements. Reasons for use of supplements were: perceived notion that supplements provided energy and participants thought their diet was inadequate. The dietary habits of 38 % of the non-dancers who had previously had a nutrition course was not positively influenced by nutrition education. / Department of Home Economics