Eating disorders are associated with high mortality rates. Most eating disorder prevention research is conducted within the fields of psychology and psychiatry, not in public health. This gap in public health research can lead to insufficient attention to the root causes of eating disorders and minimal upstream prevention efforts. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to identify public health leaders' perceptions of and attitudes concerning eating disorders as a public health issue. Objectification theory was used to describe how societal expectations have created an environment in which people's self-worth is based on their outward physical appearance. Ecological theory was used to identify environmental factors that influence the development of eating disorders. Public health leaders at local public health departments throughout California were invited to participate in the study, as they hold significant public health positions in the state. Data were collected using open-ended questions. Results were coded and analyzed via thematic analysis. NVivo 11 software was used for data management. Theoretical saturation was reached after 6 interviews when the information was redundant and no new themes were revealed. Emerged themes included observations from the participants that eating disorders are not considered a public health issue. The participants did not view eating disorders as a significant problem and they noted that they do not monitor the rates of these illnesses. They expressed interest in exploring the public health role in eating disorder prevention. Public health educators, researchers, and leaders can use these results to assess the burden of eating disorders and recognize ways to address this health threat at the macro level. In doing so, they will affect positive social change.

A disabling condition in old age is poor cognitive function (CF), which affects more than 16 million people in the United States. Research has correlated oxidative stress with poor CF, and antioxidants have been suggested as a means to counteract this impact, although there are inconsistencies in the literature. Guided by the oxidative stress theory of aging, the purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between blood serum antioxidant levels and CF in participants aged 60 and older. This cross-sectional study used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2001 2002 (n = 291). Correlation studies were performed using Pearson's correlation coefficient. Multiple linear regression was used to determine whether blood serum antioxidant status predicted CF while controlling for age, gender, race, hypertension, smoking status, and Body Mass Index. Results of this study demonstrated that alpha-tocopherol (r = .257), retinyl palmitate (r = .248), trans-lycopene (r = .196), retinyl stearate (r = .136), age (r = -.239; p < .001), and BMI (r = .189; p = .001) were all significantly correlated with CF. After controlling for covariates, higher concentrations of alpha-tocopherol and retinyl palmitate were associated with higher CF (p < .01). The positive social change implications of this study include interventions designed to educate the elderly about the role of antioxidants in delaying or preventing poor CF or to reduce barriers to healthy eating. By implementing interventions that incorporate data from this study, healthcare professionals may be able to reduce the incidence and prevalence of poor CF in the elderly population.

There are low retention rates of dietitians and this impacts quality of care. Emotional intelligence (EI) may be the missing component to improve retention, due to EI increasing job satisfaction and decreasing burnout for other health providers. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between EI, job satisfaction, and burnout for dietitians. The theoretical framework utilized was the 4-branch model of EI. Method of inquiry was convenience, quantitative non-experimental design. Registered dietitians (N = 84,173) living in the United States were contacted via e-mail. Approximately 9.5% of dietitians (n = 8,038) completed the Wong and Law EI Scale, Job Diagnostic Survey, Copenhagen Burnout Inventory, and a demographic survey. Frequency was calculated based on coded data that 89.38% of dietitians indicated high level of EI (score -?¥ 4.5). Levels of EI and burnout for dietitians were examined with a Chi2 (p = 0.000), Pearson r correlation (r = 0.28, p = 0.000), and positive linear regression (r2 = 0.075, p = 0.000). Levels of EI and job satisfaction for dietitians were examined with a Chi2 (p = 0.000), Pearson r correlation (r = 0.271, p = 0.000), and positive linear regression (r2 = 0.070, p = 0.000). Significant findings reveal that dietitians possess increased levels of EI, a positive correlation exists between EI and burnout, and a positive correlation exists between EI and job satisfaction. Results may contribute to social change by highlighting the importance of EI in the field of dietetics to integrate EI in curriculum, encourage professional growth, and improve client outcomes.

The purpose was to find the adjustments needed to make acceptable pies, cookies and muffins baked in the electronic oven. The products were evaluated by a taste panel and by objective tests. The results of both tests supported each other. The best bottom pie crust had an extra tablespoon of liquid added to the pastry and was precooked before the filling was added. It was both flaky and tender. No leavening and one-fourth more liquid produced the most acceptable cookies. They were more like standard cookie in height, texture, moisture and tenderness. It was found that one-half the amount of egg and two tablespoons more liquid made the best muffins. No treatment of the muffins as used in this study resembled the standard, but were half way between a standard muffin and cake in their texture, flavor and appearance.

Seven strains of Streptococcus cremoris and Streptococcus lactis were tested for temperature sensitivity on a temperature gradient bar. A temperature of 37 C was the optimum for differentiating between temperature-sensitive and insensitive strains. Temperature-insensitive strains produced cell masses with absorbance values of 0.1 or higher and activity levels of 1.0 (expressed as a decrease in pH) or above at 37 C. Temperature-sensitive strains failed to produce these cell masses and activity levels, Strain selection and resistant- mutant isolation made it possible to identify ten strains of Streptococci sufficiently free of phage sensitivity for use in a cheese plant rotation program. These resistant mutants failed after being successfully used in mixed cultures for a short period of time, They became either slow acid producers or were again attacked by new bacteriophages. More work is needed to successfully isolate phage-resistant mutants suitable for cheese starters.

Androgen receptor (AR) gene CAG polymorphisms may be associated with body shape, and are associated with certain breast and prostate cancers. In addition, body shape is associated with risk for a variety of diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, and certain forms of cancer. The CAG repeat in exon l of the AR gene was quantified using Perkin Elmer Applied Biosystems GeneScan analysis software in 96 and 59 healthy Caucasian men and women, respectively, who were over the age of 50 years. All participants had body measurements taken and donated a blood sample. Waist measurements included circumferences at the 1) umbilicus (wstumb), 2) top of the iliac crest (wstili), and 3) midpoint between the lowest rib and the iliac crest (wstwst). Waist-hip ratio (Wl-IR) was calculated using each corresponding waist measurement, respectively (WHRUMB, WHRILI, WHRWST). Mean repeat length was significantly different (p < 0.01) between men (22 ± 0.3 repeats) and women (23 ± 0.3 repeats). There was a significant relationship (p < 0.05) between mean individual CAG repeat number and tertile of WHRUMB in women based on the mean number of CAG repeats for each woman. Waist measurements in women were significantly different for all pairwise comparisons (p < 0.05). In addition, the three measurements of WHR in women, WHRUMB, WHRILI, and WHRWST, were significantly different from each other (p < 0.05). Thus, lesser numbers of CAG repeats may indicate a more androgenic phenotype in women.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of socio- viii demographic characteristics, knowledge of coronary heart disease and behavior variables on blood cholesterol concentration among 218 selected subjects in northern Utah connnunities. The data were obtained from physicians' medical charts and a survey specifically designed for this study. A model was developed from an intensive review of literature and the current state of theoretical and empirical knowledge and was tested by means of path analysis. The model contained fourteen variables including familial coronary heart disease heredity, sex, age, the presence of disease(s), educational attainment, special dietary regimen, occupation, knowledge about coronary heart disease, Type A/B behavior patterns, attitude toward low-fat, low-cholesterol diets, saturated fat calorie intake, energy expenditure, relative body weight, and blood cholesterolconcentration. The model was evaluated for the entire sample as well as two subsamples of males and females. It was found that there was a strong causal relationship between the level of education and knowledge about coronary heart disease (CHD), and between its knowledge and attitude toward low-fat, low-cholesterol diets (less atherogenic diets). Furthermore, it was observed that a favorable positive attitude toward low-fat, low-cholesterol diets served directly to decrease the relative body weight. On the other hand, estimated expenditure of total energy was increased with increasing knowledge about coronary heart disease and in physically active occupations. There was a negative association between the estimated total energy expenditure and blood cholesterol concentration, while a weak positive relationship of relative body weight and saturated fat intake on cholesterol concentration in the blood was observed. Not only knowledge about coronary heart disease had a direct influence on attitude, but also age had a positive causal effect on attitude toward low-fat, low-cholesterol diets. The direct association of familial coronary heart disease heritability on blood cholesterol concentration was the strongest among other variables, followed by special diets, age, total energy expenditure, and saturated fat intake. About 28% of the variations in the blood cholesterol concentration among the entire sample could be explained by eleven variables combined compared with 36% for females and 23% for males. It was shown in the likelihood ratio test that the influence of social and demographic characteristics, knowledge about coronary heart disease, and behavior variables on blood cholesterol concentration was not significantly different between male and female samples. In conclusion, this research suggests the direction and magnitude of causal relationships between socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge of coronary heart disease and behavior variables and serum cholesterol concentration. Therefore, the findings of this study indicate the potential value of educational programs for the coronary heart disease prevention.

High school coaches play a huge role in establishing a healthy environment for their athletes and often students. The coach-°©‐athlete relationship has proven to be a strong and useful bond in prevention of adverse behaviors of athletes or in prevention of health problems such as concussions. The female athlete triad (triad) is a common health problem among female athletes. Many high school coaches are unaware of the triad or the serious health and performance consequences for their athletes. The triad is a syndrome marked by 3 interrelated adverse effects: decreased energy availability, menstrual dysfunction, and decreased bone mineral density. The Purpose of this study was to develop an online educational resource aimed at educating coaches about the triad. After the online education materials were created and reviewed by small panel groups, the materials were launched online and available to the public with the aim to target high school coaches. We collected online surveys from 90 participants including coaches and parents of high school female athletes and found a lack of knowledge, attitudes, and confidence in preventing the triad. By educating coaches and providing the tools for prevention, we hypothesize that coaches can play a large role in the prevention of the triad among high school athletes and help to keep our student athletes healthy and performing well in school and sports.

Weanling rats were fed diets containing raw lyophylized hand-deboned shank beef (HDS) supplemented with CaCO3, retorted lyophylized mechanically deboned shank beef (MDS), or raw lyophylized MDS. Ca in the latter two diets originated from bone during the mechanical deboning process. Ca absorption, Ca retention, bone weight, and bone breaking strength were similar for comparative dietary levels of Ca regardless of the source. Bone ash and Ca content was significantly higher (P < .05) in the MDS 393 (3.93 g Ca/kg diet) diet and in the retorted MDS 460 diet compared with the HDS 488 diet. Relative biological values for the MDS diets calculated relative to the HDS diets ranged from 102 to 132 when the linear regression of Ca consumed, Ca retained, or dietary Ca level vs bone ash or bone Ca content was obtained. The retorted MDS 460 diet contained the highest Fe level and exhibited a lower percent absorption, terminal hemoglobin level, and liver Fe storage. Humerus F content increased as dietary F (also present from bone) level increased. Dietary F level did not determine humerus breaking strength.

Prior studies have unequivocally established a consistent association between osteoporotic hip fracture risk and type 2 diabetes mellitus. One reason this association still remains unclear is primarily due to the limited amount of research conducted in this area. The Utah Study of Nutrition and Bone Health (USNBH) is a case-control study conducted in Utah during the period of 1997-2001 to determine risk factors for osteoporotic hip fracture. All study participants (n = 2590) were determined from Utah residents 50-90 years of age. Cases were determined from 18 Utah hospitals during 1997-2001. Age and gender-matched controls were randomly selected from the Utah Drivers License pool if less than 65 years of age and the Medicare databases if greater than 65 years of age. Logistic regression models were used to determine the association between type 2 diabetes and hip fracture risk. Logistic regression modeling controlled for gender, body mass index, smoking status, alcohol use, physical activity, education level, and estrogen use in women. The risk of hip fracture was associated with type 2 diabetes. The significant correlation was primarily found in females in which the risk of hip fracture increased accompanying diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. Estrogen usage in females decreased (p < 0.0001) hip fracture risk in both former or current users. Physical activity significantly decreased the risk of hip fracture for females (p < 0.0001) and for males (p = 0.001). Smoking and alcohol use may increase the risk of hip fracture, especially in women. This study substantiates the hypothesis that type 2 diabetes mellitus increases the risk of hip fracture.