The thesis objective was to investigate methods for improving the solubility of yellow mustard precipitated protein isolate (RTech Laboratories, USA) to allow for its use in protein enhanced acidic beverages along with soluble protein isolate in the pH range of 2 to 4.5. Four treatments were tested: hydrolysis with Alcalase®; cross-linking with transglutaminase; salting in with sodium chloride, sodium tripolyphosphate, and sodium hexametaphosphate; and protective colloid formation with pectin. The effectiveness of each was determined by its ability to improve nitrogen solubility (Nx6.25, AOCS-Ba11-65). The most effective treatments were hydrolysis and pectin stabilization. Pectin (1.5 w/v%) improved solubility from 6% to 29% at pH 4. Alcalase increased solubility from 20% to 70% at pH 3 after 2 h of hydrolysis (0.5AU/5g PPI, pH 8.5, 50-55degC) and eliminated the protein’s isoelectric point in the acidic pH range. Investigating the combined use of both treatments to further increase PPI solubility is recommended.

Overweight and obesity in Canada has significantly increased during the last three decades, paralleled by increased intake of fat and sugar particularly sugary beverages leading to higher level of energy intake, as well as reduction in physical activity. Canadian Community Health Survey, Cycle 2.2, 2004 (CCHS 2.2), provides the opportunity to evaluate beverage intakes of Canadians in relation to overweight and obesity using Body Mass Index (BMI).<p> To examine the association between sugar-sweetened beverages and BMI in Canadian adults, we used data from CCHS 2.2 (n=14,304, aged >18 year and <65 year) in which dietary intake was assessed using 24-h recall. In various steps, data on beverage consumption were identified, coded and classified. Using descriptive statistics, we determined total gram intake and the contribution of each beverage to total energy intake among age/sex groups. To determine the most suitable patterns of beverage consumptions among Canadian adults, a cluster analysis K-means method was applied. Males and females were classified into distinct clusters based on the dominant pattern of beverage intakes. Finally, step-wise logistic regression models were used to determine associations between sugar-sweetened beverages and BMI, controlling for age, marital status, income, education, physical activity, total energy intake, immigration status, smoking habits and ethnicity. To account for complex survey design, all data were weighted and bootstrapped.<p> BMI in women with predominant fruit drink pattern (791.1±32.9 g) was significantly higher than those with no dominant pattern in beverage consumption (28.3±1 vs. 26.8±0.3 respectively, P<0.001). In women, high intake of fruit drinks was a significant predictor of overweight (OR=1.84, 95% C.I:1.06-3.20), obesity (OR=2.55, 95% C.I:1.46-4.47) and overweight/obesity (OR=2.05, 95% C.I:1.29-3.25). In men, mean BMI was not different among beverage consumption clusters and none of the beverages was a predictor for overweight and obesity. For the first time, in a nationally representative data, we report association of sugar-sweetened beverages and overweight and obesity in Canadian women.

The thesis objective was to investigate methods for improving the solubility of yellow mustard precipitated protein isolate (RTech Laboratories, USA) to allow for its use in protein enhanced acidic beverages along with soluble protein isolate in the pH range of 2 to 4.5. Four treatments were tested: hydrolysis with Alcalase®; cross-linking with transglutaminase; salting in with sodium chloride, sodium tripolyphosphate, and sodium hexametaphosphate; and protective colloid formation with pectin. The effectiveness of each was determined by its ability to improve nitrogen solubility (Nx6.25, AOCS-Ba11-65). The most effective treatments were hydrolysis and pectin stabilization. Pectin (1.5 w/v%) improved solubility from 6% to 29% at pH 4. Alcalase increased solubility from 20% to 70% at pH 3 after 2 h of hydrolysis (0.5AU/5g PPI, pH 8.5, 50-55degC) and eliminated the protein’s isoelectric point in the acidic pH range. Investigating the combined use of both treatments to further increase PPI solubility is recommended.

The objective of this study was to describe the issue of school beverage contracts and childhood obesity from the perspectives of a broad group of stakeholders. Specifically, the perspectives concerning contracts in two Ontario school boards in Canada's 2004-2006 sociopolitical environment were studied. This qualitative study utilized a case study approach to capture the opinions of many stakeholders. Open ended interviews with individuals representing twelve stakeholder groups resulted in five major interrelated themes: "Awareness & Knowledge," "Influences of Obesity & Co-morbidities," "Perceived Value of Beverage Contracts," "Accountability" and "Future Directions (For Shifting Norms). " Stakeholders suggested the use of multidisciplinary and comprehensive strategies to promote healthy choices in the school environment, which is thought to have positive implications for childhood obesity. This study is unique in that it looks at a common issue from a number of different perspectives and reports all viewpoints in an unbiased and clear way showing the similarities and differences of opinions. Information from this study has potential importance in informing future directions to prevent and reduce childhood obesity, especially as this issue relates to the creation of school beverage contracts.

Overweight and obesity in Canada has significantly increased during the last three decades, paralleled by increased intake of fat and sugar particularly sugary beverages leading to higher level of energy intake, as well as reduction in physical activity. Canadian Community Health Survey, Cycle 2.2, 2004 (CCHS 2.2), provides the opportunity to evaluate beverage intakes of Canadians in relation to overweight and obesity using Body Mass Index (BMI).<p> To examine the association between sugar-sweetened beverages and BMI in Canadian adults, we used data from CCHS 2.2 (n=14,304, aged >18 year and <65 year) in which dietary intake was assessed using 24-h recall. In various steps, data on beverage consumption were identified, coded and classified. Using descriptive statistics, we determined total gram intake and the contribution of each beverage to total energy intake among age/sex groups. To determine the most suitable patterns of beverage consumptions among Canadian adults, a cluster analysis K-means method was applied. Males and females were classified into distinct clusters based on the dominant pattern of beverage intakes. Finally, step-wise logistic regression models were used to determine associations between sugar-sweetened beverages and BMI, controlling for age, marital status, income, education, physical activity, total energy intake, immigration status, smoking habits and ethnicity. To account for complex survey design, all data were weighted and bootstrapped.<p> BMI in women with predominant fruit drink pattern (791.1±32.9 g) was significantly higher than those with no dominant pattern in beverage consumption (28.3±1 vs. 26.8±0.3 respectively, P<0.001). In women, high intake of fruit drinks was a significant predictor of overweight (OR=1.84, 95% C.I:1.06-3.20), obesity (OR=2.55, 95% C.I:1.46-4.47) and overweight/obesity (OR=2.05, 95% C.I:1.29-3.25). In men, mean BMI was not different among beverage consumption clusters and none of the beverages was a predictor for overweight and obesity. For the first time, in a nationally representative data, we report association of sugar-sweetened beverages and overweight and obesity in Canadian women.

Thesis--Helsinki.

Thesis (M.S.)--Rochester Institute of Technology, 2009. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 90-97).

Thesis (M. Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 2007.

Thesis (Ph.D.) - University of Glasgow, 2002. / Ph.D. thesis submitted to the Department of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, Universities of Glasgow and Strathclyde, 2002. Includes bibliographical references. Print version also available.

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