The vitamin B-6 status of 11 white adolescent females living in the Blacksburg/Roanoke, Virginia area was evaluated by dietary intakes, coenzyme stimulation of erythrocyte alanine aminotransferase (F-ALAT) activities, and plasma total vitamin B-6 measured microbiologically. Heights and weights of the group were generally within ranges. The vitamin B-6 intakes of the adolescents were 1.47 ± 0.49 mg/day (mean ± SD). Three subjects, or 27.3%, the same subjects classified as inadequate in status by coenzyme stimulation of E-ALAT, were classified as marginal or inadequate in status using ≤ 25 ng/ml total plasma vitamin B-6 levels as the criterion. The plasma pyridoxal, pyridoxine, pyridoxamine and total B-6 vitamer concentrations of subjects having inadequate E-ALAT values were lower, generally significantly, than those of girls with adequate levels. In the subjects with adequate status, the vitamer found in the largest plasma concentration was pyridoxine. A significant correlation (r = 0.82, p < 0.01) was observed between total plasma vitamin B-6 levels determined microbiologically and coenzyme stimulation values. / Master of Science

The effect of three sources of protein: soy, dairy, and meat protein, and two levels of calcium on zinc, iron, copper, calcium, and magnesium retention in young adult men was determined in a 30-day metabolic balance study. The study was divided into a twenty-day baseline period, a thirty day controlled feeding period from which all the balance data was collected, and a twenty day follow-up period. During the controlled feeding period, twenty-four subjects were randomly assigned to one of three dietary treatment groups which differed in respect to protein source. The dairy treatment group was fed a diet in which 70% of the dietary protein was derived from dairy products; the soy treatment group was fed a diet in which 67% of the dietary protein was derived from soy products; and the meat treatment group was given a diet in which 70% of the dietary protein was provided by animal meat products. To test the effect of calcium level on mineral retention, the controlled feeding period was divided into two periods: Period I, in which the subjects consumed moderate levels of calcium (mean= 1206.77 + 193.29 mg/day) and Period II, in which the subjects consumed high levels of calcium (mean 2134.51 + 164.63 mg/day). / Master of Science

M.S.

A longitudinal feeding study of 154 infants in Southwest Virginia was conducted during 1978-1980. The incidence of vitamin and mineral supplementation among these infants was the focus of the retrospective study discussed here. With the use of the Nutritional Analysis System of Louisiana State University, nutrient adequacy levels were determined. Vitamin D, vitamin E, folacin, vitamin B-6, and iron were the problem nutrients identified through this analysis. Inappropriate infant feeding practices such as the use of low iron formulas, the use of cow's milk, and the consumption of inadequate milk volume were blamed for these dietary deficiencies. Routine vitamin supplementation was common among infants of all feeding types. While much of the supplementation was unnecessary, large percentages of infants demonstrated a need for it. The exception was vitamin A. None of the infants who received supplemental vitamin A had inadequate dietary intakes of this nutrient. Supplementation was not shown to have an effect on weight or length gain measurements. Parents should be given specific infant feeding instructions prior to hospital discharge. Included should be a list of the circumstances which would indicate the need for supplementation. / M.S.

The influence of vitamin B-6 intake on vitamin B-6 status and the concentration of B-6 vitamers in milk of 21 white lactating women (21 to 35 years) was examined at 3 to 7 months postpartum. None of the women met the RDA for lactating women of 2.5 mg/day when considering vitamin B-6 intakes from food sources alone. All subjects taking vitamin B-6 supplements had adequate vitamin B-6 status as determined by coenzyme stimulation of erythrocyte alanine aminotransferase activity; all subjects not taking vitamin B-6 supplements had inadequate vitamin B-6 status. Plasma pyridoxal 5-phosphate values were significantly higher for subjects in the supplemented than in the nonsupplemented group. Pyridoxal, pyridoxamine, pyridoxine, and total vitamin B-6 concentrations in milk were higher, sometimes significantly, in the supplemented than in the unsupplemented group as determined by microbiological assay and HPLC. There were significant correlations between data obtained by the microbiological and HPLC analyses for pyridoxal and total vitamin B-6 concentrations. Pyridoxal was the predominant B-6 vitamer found in human milk. Distribution of the B-6 vitamers appeared to stay relatively constant despite vitamin B-6 status. / Master of Science

Numerous dietary factors have been shown to influence the fatty acid profiles (FAP) in breast milk from lactating women. However, few studies have evaluated the effect of trace minerals on milk FAP. Consequently, the purpose of this study was to determine the effect of selenium status on the FAP in breast milk. Subjects were lactating women from three different regions in China; Xichang (n=21), an area where selenium intakes are among the lowest in the world, Beijing (n=20), where there are adequate selenium intakes, and Enshi (n=19), where selenium intakes are among the highest in the world. Plasma and milk samples were obtained from women at birth of their baby and within 10 months postpartum and analyzed for selenium content, glutathione peroxidase (Gpx) activity and FAP. Plasma and breast milk selenium levels were significantly lower in the Xichang women and significantly higher in the Enshi women when compared to Beijing women. Despite the fact that the highest level of plasma selenium was measured in the samples from Enshi, the Gpx activity was greatest in the samples from Beijing; there was no effect of time of sampling on these samples. In breast milk, on the other hand, all the samples obtained at birth had similar activity of Gpx. The samples taken later, however, followed the same trend as plasma with the samples obtained from the women in Beijing having the highest activity. FAP indicated a significant difference in the amount of unsaturated fatty acids in both the plasma and milk for the Beijing women, when compared to the women from Xichang and Enshi. In particular, there were higher levels of linoleic acid, 18:2(n-6), in the plasma and milk of the women whose selenium intake was adequate. / Graduation date: 1997

Project (B.S.)--James Madison University, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, School of Public Health, 2007. / Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 46-05, page: 2643. Adviser: Craig L. Hanis. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis ( Mnutr)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Background: The rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCD) is cause for concern. Improving dietary quality is a key health promotion strategy aimed at reducing NCD morbidity and mortality. Assessments that quantify “risky” dietary behaviours are worthwhile, and may help to identify high risk individuals, that would benefit from targeted interventions. Purpose: Discovery Vitality is a wellness incentive business associated with Discovery Health medical aid in South Africa. This study developed a Dietary Behaviour Score (DBSPHR) that measured degrees of compliance of Discovery Vitality members with the “spirit of dietary guidance”. It further categorized scores and identified members who may be at risk for developing NCDs due to poor dietary compliance. Methods: The DBSPHR included proportionally weighted components related to the consumption of fruit, vegetables, low fat dairy, whole-grain foods, lean meat, chicken and discretionary fat. The study population included adult South African members of Discovery Vitality, who had completed the programme’s on-line health risk assessment (PHR) between the 1st February 2010 and 31st January 2011. Stratified random sampling was used (n=1600). Half the sample included members who participated in Vitality’s HealthyFoodTM benefit (HFB) programme. The different Vitality Status groups were equally represented, and reflect degrees of engagement with the programme. Genders were equally represented. DBSPHR data were categorized as: Poor (Score 0-18), Inadequate (18.5-22.5), Fair (23-26), Good (26.5-29), Excellent (29.5-36). DBSPHR data was analyzed for variables: Vitality status, HFB participation, smoking, physical activity, alcohol consumption, body mass index (BMI), age and gender. The relationships between continuous response variables and nominal input variables were analysed using analysis of variance (ANOVA). When ordinal response variables were compared versus a nominal input variable, non-parametric ANOVA methods were used. Further, the Mann-Whitney test or the Kruskal-Wallis test was used. A p-value of p < 0.05 was considered to represent statistical significance, and 95% confidence intervals were used to describe the estimation of unknown parameters. Results: Of the sample, 67.13% of members had DBSPHRs that were considered “poor” or “inadequate”. The mean DBSPHR of the sample was 20.47 points. Women achieved better DBSPHRs than men (p<0.01). Greater engagement with the Vitality programme was associated with better DBSPHRs (p<0.01). There was no significant difference between the mean DBSPHR of members participating in the HFB and Non-HFB members, however the HFB was not assessed as an intervention. Members with “risky” lifestyle behaviours such as; inactivity, smoking and consuming alcohol excessively, demonstrated lower DBSPHR than members without these risks. Obese members achieved significantly lower DBSPHRs than normal weight and overweight members (p<0.01). Conclusions: It is concerning that Discovery Vitality members did not perform better than the general global standard of inadequate compliance with the “spirit of dietary guidance”. Engagement with the Vitality programme seems to positively impact on dietary compliance. Members at an increased risk for NCD morbidity and mortality due to; aging, obesity, smoking, inactivity or non-compliance with alcohol consumption guidelines, demonstrated lower DBSPHRs compared to members without these risks. Targeted interventions aimed at addressing “risky” dietary and lifestyle behaviours may benefit these members. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Agtergrond: Die styging in voorkoms van nie-oordraagbare siektes (NOS) is rede tot kommer. Verbetering van dieetkwaliteit is ‘n sleutel gesondheidsbevordering strategie gemik daarop om NOS morbiditeit en mortaliteit te verminder. Assesserings wat “riskante” dieetgedrag kwantifiseer is waardevol en mag help om hoë risiko individue te identifiseer wat sal baatvind by geteikende intervensies. Doel: Discovery Vitality is ‘n welwees motiveringsbesigheid wat geassosieer is met Discovery Health mediese fonds in Suid-Afrika. Hierdie studie het ‘n dieet-gedragstelling (“Dietary Behaviour Score - DBSPHR”) ontwikkel wat die graad van nakoming van Discovery Vitality lede gemeet het aan die “gees van leiding oor dieet”. Dit het verder tellings gekategoriseer en lede geïdentifiseer wat ‘n verhoogde risiko vir die ontwikkeling van NOS mag hê as gevolg van swak nakoming van dieet. Metodes: Die DBSPHR het proporsioneel geweegde komponente bevat, verwant aan die inname van vrugte en groente, laevet suiwelprodukte, volgraan voedsels, maer vleis, hoender en diskresionêre vet. Die studiepopulasie het volwasse Suid-Afrikaners ingesluit wat lede van die Discovery Vitality program was en wat die program se aanlyn gesondheidsrisiko assessering tussen 1 Februarie 2010 en 31 Januarie 2011 voltooi het. Gestratifiseerde, ewekansige steekproeftrekking was gebruik (n=1600). Helfte van die steekproef het lede ingesluit wat aan Vitality se HealthyFoodTM voordeel program deelgeneem het. Die verskillende Vitality Status groepe was gelyk verteenwoordig en reflekteer verskillende grade van interaksie met die program. Geslagte was gelyk verteenwoordig. DBSPHRs data was gekategoriseer as: Swak (Telling 0-18), Onvoldoende (18.5-22.5), Matig (23-26), Goed (26.5-29), Uitstekend (29.5-36). DBSPHR data was vir die volgende veranderlikes geanaliseer: Vitality status, deelname aan die HealthyFoodTM voordeel, rook, fisiese aktiwiteit, alkohol inname, liggaamsmassa indeks (LMI), ouderdom en geslag. Die verhouding tussen aaneenlopende reaksie veranderlikes en nominale inset veranderlikes was geanaliseer deur die gebruik van analise van variansies (ANOVA). Wanneer ordinale reaksie veranderlikes vergelyk was teenoor ‘n nominale inset variansie, was nie-parametriese ANOVA metodes gebruik. Verder was die Mann-Whitney toets of die Kruskal-Wallis toets gebruik. ‘n P-waarde van p < 0.05 was gesien as verteenwoordigend van statistiese beduidendheid en 95% sekerheidsintervalle was gebruik om die skatting van onbekende parameters te beskryf.Resultate: Van die studie monster het 67.13% van die lede DBSPHRs getoon wat gereken was as “swak” of “onvoldoende”. Die gemiddelde DBSPHR van die steekfproef was 20.47 punte. Vroue het beter DBSPHR as mans behaal (p<0.01). Meer interaksie met die Vitality program was geassosieer met beter DBSPHRs (p<0.01). Daar was geen beduidende verskille tussen die gemiddelde DBSPHR van lede wat aan die HealthyFoodTM voordeel program deelneem en die lede wat nie aan die program deelneem nie, alhoewel die HealthyFoodTM voordeel nie geëvalueer was as ‘n intervensie nie. Lede met “riskante” lewenstyl gedrag soos onaktiwiteit, rook en hewige alkoholinname het laer DBSPHR getoon as lede sonder hierdie risiko’s. Vetsugtige lede het laer DBSPHR behaal as normale gewig en oorgewig lede (p<0.01). Gevolgtrekking: Dit is ‘n bron van kommer dat Discovery Vitality lede nie beter vertoon het as wat blyk ‘n algemene globale standaard van gebrekkige nakoming van die “gees van leiding oor dieet” te wees nie. Interaksie met die Vitality program blyk ‘n positiewe impak te hê op dieet nakoming. Lede wat ‘n verhoogde risiko gehad het vir NOS morbiditeit en mortaliteit as gevolg van veroudering, vetsugtigheid, rook, onaktiwiteit of verontagsaming van alkohol inname riglyne het ook laer DBSPHRs getoon in vergelyking met lede sonder hierdie risiko’s. Geteikende intervensies gemik op die aanspreek van riskante dieet en lewenstyl gedrag mag tot voordeel van hierdie lede wees.

Thesis (MNutr)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Objectives: To measure the impact on nutrition knowledge; to ascertain the opinions and practices related to nutrition and physical activity, tuck shop visits, and dietary quality of Grade 4 learners; as well as the perceptions on and acceptability of the ‗Fun Food Game‘ (FFG) as nutrition education tool as evaluated in selected Grade 4 learners and educators. Design: A before-after, experimental study with analytical components. Setting: A purposive sample of four schools in the City of Cape Town district of the Western Cape province. Schools A and B in a higher socio-economic area served as intervention school (HIS) and control school (HCS), whereas schools C and D were in a lower socio-economic area and served as intervention school (LIS) and control school (LCS). Subjects: Grade 4 English-speaking boys (n=85), girls (n=90) and Life Orientation educators (n=10). Methods: Pre-tested questionnaires were used to determine change in nutrition knowledge, opinions and practices, both related to nutrition and physical activities in a pre-and post-setting, as well as the perceptions on and acceptability of FFG as a nutrition education (NE) tool for Grade 4 learners and educators. A ‗Dietary Diversity Questionnaire‘ was used to establish the ‗Dietary Diversity Score‘ (DDS), and to note tuck shop visits. Questionnaires were pre-tested in a pilot study. Results: Increased nutrition knowledge and improved opinion on nutrition and physical activities were measured in all schools, but practices related to nutrition and physical activities as well as visits to the tuck shop showed mixed results. In the pre- and post-setting, a DDS of 5 was measured in the HIS and HCS, with a DDS of 5 in the pre- and 6 in the post-setting in the LIS and LCS. Fewer learners had a DDS<4 in the post-setting. Consumption of most food groups and eating breakfast were higher in the post-setting. Bringing lunch boxes to school scored lower in the intervention schools. More tuck shop visits were reported in the LIS and LCS. Most (80% n=8) educators indicated a strong need for NE for themselves. All educators indicated self-learning as a means of familiarising themselves with the content of NE. Sources of nutrition advice included magazines (90% n=9), the Internet (80% n=8) and textbooks (70% n=7). A strong need for NE was expressed by all educators; however, they stated that it should not increase their work load. Educators ‗strongly agreed‘ that the educational nutrition board game FFG can be classified as ‗Health Promotion‘. Overall, learners indicated that playing FFG was a positive experience. Conclusion: Playing FFG and/or having an increased awareness regarding nutrition and physical activities at schools could have had a positive impact on nutrition knowledge and behaviour that could have resulted in positive behaviour, but no definite conclusion can be made in this regard. Nutrition behaviour was more positively influenced in the lower socio-economic schools. Implementing the Health Promoting Schools concept, where Nutrition Education Programmes form part of a multi-component strategy, is recommended. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Doel: Om die impak van voedingskennis, opinies en praktyke verwant aan voeding en fisiese aktiwiteite, snoepiebesoeke asook dieetkwaliteit van Graad 4 leerders te bepaal, sowel as die persepsie en aanvaarbaarheid van ‗Fun Food Game‘ (FFG) as hulpmiddel in voedingsopleiding soos geëvalueer deur geselekteerde Graad 4 leerders en -onderwysers. Ontwerp: ‗n Voor-na, eksperimentele studie met analitiese komponente Omgewing: ‗n Doelbewuste groepskeuse van vier skole. Skole A en B in ‗n meer gegoede area het as intervensie skool (HIS) en kontrole skool (HCS) gedien, terwyl skole C en D in ‗n minder gegoede area as intervensie skool (LIS) en kontrole skool (LCS) gedien het in die Stad Kaapstad distrik van die Westelike Provinsie. Deelnemers: Graad 4 Engelssprekende seuns (n=85), dogters (n=95) en Lewensoriënteringsonderwysers (n=10) Metodes: Voorafgetoetsde vraelyste is gebruik om te bepaal of voedingskennis, opinies en praktyke beide verwant aan voeding en fisiese aktiwiteite, voor en na die studie verander het, asook die persepsie en aanvaarbaarheid van FFG as ‗n hulpmiddel in voedingsopleiding vir geselekteerde Graad 4 leerders en onderwysers. ‗n Dieetdiversiteit Vraelys (‗Dietary Diversity Questionnaire‘ – DDQ) is gebruik om ‗n Dieetdiversiteit Telling (‗Dietary Diversity Score‘ – DDS), sowel as snoepiebesoeke te bepaal. ‗n Loodsstudie is uitgevoer om die vraelyste te toets. Resultate: ‗n Toename in voedingkennis en verbeterde opinies oor voeding en fisiese aktiwiteite is in alle skole gevind, maar praktyke oor voeding en fisiese aktiwiteite, asook snoepiebesoeke het gemengde resultate getoon. In die voor- en na-toetsing is ‗n DDS van 5 in HIS en HCS bepaal, met ‗n DDS van 5 in die voor- en 6 in die na-toetsing in LIS en LCS. Minder leerders het ‗n DDS<4 in die na-toetsing gehad. Inname van die meeste voedselgroepe sowel as ontbyt het in die skole toegeneem. Die bring van kosblikke het in die intervensie skole verminder. Die hoogste frekwensie snoepiebesoeke kom voor by die LIS en LCS. Meeste (80% n=8) onderwysers het ‗n sterk behoefte aan voedingsopleiding vir hulself aangedui. Alle onderwysers dui aan dat die inhoud van voedingskennis deur selfleer verhoog word. Tydskrifte (90%, n=9), Internet (80%, n=8) en handboeke (70%, n=7) word as bronne van voedingsadvies beskryf. ‗n Sterk behoefte vir opvoedkundige voedingsopleiding is deur al die onderwysers aangedui, maar sonder dat dit hul werkslading moet verhoog. Die onderwysers is ―sterk oortuig‖ daarvan dat die opvoedkundige voedingsbordspeletjie FFG, as ―Gesondheidsbevordering‖ geklassifiseer kan word. In die algemeen het leerders dit baie positief ervaar om FFG te speel. Samevatting: Die speel van FFG en/of ‗n groter bewusmaking van voeding en fisiese aktiwiteit wat by die skole plaasgevind het, kon ‗n positiewe impak op voedingskennis en -gedrag gehad het, wat kon lei tot positiewe gedrag, maar geen definitiewe gevolgtrekking kan gemaak word in die verband nie. Voedingsgedrag in die mindergegoede skole is meer positief beïnvloed. Implimentering van die Gesondheidsbevorderende Skole konsep, waar Voedingsopleidingsprogramme deel vorm van ‗n multi-komponent strategie, word aanbeveel.