This study investigated the effects of exercise and dietary iron on iron status in 19-month-old female rats. Fifty-seven female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to one of five experimental groups: baseline (BL); iron sufficient-exercise (HE); iron sufficient-sedentary (HS); moderate iron deficient- exercise (LE) and moderate iron deficient-sedentary (LS). The six-week exercise protocol involved swimming 5 days/week beginning at 10 minutes/day and ending at I hour/day by the fifth and sixth week. The results indicated a significant effect of exercise on food intake and on body weight, with higher levels of intake and body weight in the LS group compared to the exercised groups. Soleus muscle weight was significantly lower than BL in the HS, LE and LS groups. Gastrocnemius muscle weight was significantly higher in the HS than in the LE group. Cardiac weights were comparable in the1LE, LS and HE groups but significantly higher than the HS group. Cardiac citrate synthase activities were not significantly different among the groups. No significant effects of diet, activity or an interaction effect were noted on hemoglobin, serum iron and total iron binding capacity. Hematocrit concentrations demonstrated a significant effect of activity, with elevated levels in the exercised groups compared with baseline. Serum iron levels were significantly lower in the LE group than the iron sufficient groups. The TIBC levels were significantly lower in the LE group than in the baseline. Liver iron concentrations showed a significant effect of diet, with higher concentrations in the iron sufficient groups compared to the LE group. Iron concentrations in the spleen and soleus muscle were unchanged however spleen iron concentrations were significantly higher in BL than in the experimental groups. Exercise had a significant effect on the gastrocnemius muscle with lower iron concentrations in the sedentary groups than in the exercised groups. These results suggest a trend towards redistribution of iron stores as a result of exercise as evidenced by alterations in iron concentrations in some tissues and a trend towards elevated hemoglobin and hematocrit levels. Thus, dietary iron deficiency and exercise adversely affected various components of iron metabolism in the aged female rat although it was not manifested as iron deficiency. / Master of Science

Objective: To determine whether a social cognitive theory guided nutrition educational intervention in an after-school program is associated with improved nutrition and physical activity knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and behaviors for fourth and fifth grade participants. Design: A prospective comparative study with a quasi-experimental design over a six month period. Questionnaires were collected at baseline and at the end of the program for students at the intervention and comparison schools. Follow-up questionnaires were collected at the intervention school three months post program. Subjects/Setting: Fourth and fifth grade students enrolled in an after-school program targeted to reach students performing below grade level and/or living below the poverty level at an elementary school in southwest Virginia. Fourth and fifth grade students at another county elementary school with similar demographics served as comparison participants. Main Outcome Measures: Daily food intake, dairy intake, physical activity, sedentary behaviors, environment, self-efficacy for consuming dairy products, and food and activity beliefs. Statistical Analysis: Measures of central tendency (mean, median, and variance) were performed to describe participants. Independent t-tests (p<0.05) were used to compare changes from pre to post-questionnaire by treatment group. Paired t-tests (p<0.05) were used to test for differences from pre to post-questionnaire within group. Chi square analysis (p<0.05) was conducted to further investigate changes between groups. Results: Intervention participants significantly increased previous day's milk consumption (p=.006) and plans to drink low-fat milk instead of regular milk (p =.047) from pre to post-program. Significant change was also observed in previous day's milk consumption change from pre to post between groups (p=.004). Conclusion: Participation in an after-school program with nutrition education could change daily milk consumption and plans to drink low-fat over regular milk. Applications: After-school nutrition interventions can be effective in changing milk intake and plans to consume low-fat milk. / Master of Science

Understanding the central nervous systems role in appetite regulation is crucial to cure the obesity epidemic, which is more prevalent than any disease in the United States. Central appetite regulators, known as neuropeptides, are pivotal in understanding appetite regulation. Neuropeptide Y (NPY), a 36 amino acid peptide, plays a major role in regulating the hunger signals from the brain. In all vertebrates studied, it is a strong orexigenic neurotransmitter located throughout multiple nuclei of the hypothalamus. Peripheral hormones associated with hunger are able to activate NPY neurons in the arcuate nucleus, which leads to a cascade of events that activate orexigenic neurons throughout the hypothalamus. Although extensive research has gone into understanding the role of NPY in appetite regulation, the effects of macronutrient composition of diets on NPY function have not been elucidated in non-mammalian species. This research investigates how food intake is affected by dietary macronutrient composition in broiler type chickens that are fed three varying macronutrient diets: high carbohydrate (22% CP, 3000kcal/kg) a broiler starter diet, high fat (60% ME from lard), high protein 30%CP). All diets were formulated to be isocaloric. When chicks are fed the high fat diet central NPY administration has a greater effect on feed intake compared to both the basal and high protein diet. Regardless of what diet the chick is fed from hatch, if they are switched to one of the other two diets post central administration of NPY the high fat diet stimulated feed intake for the longest duration. Although, NPY had the strongest orexigenic effect on chicks fed the high fat diet, in a choice diet situation broiler chicks chose the high protein diet, independent of central NPY administration. / Master of Science

Objective: To determine if weight gain in college subjects is associated with meal frequency, breakfast consumption, breakfast type, and alcohol intake over one year of college. Secondary aims were to determine whether BMI and body fat percent are associated with breakfast consumption and type as well as meal frequency. Design: A longitudinal observational study. Health history, work schedule and sleep patterns were recorded. Subjects fasted overnight and height, weight, skin fold measurements, waist, and hip measurements were taken. Two seven day food and activity records were self recorded in September 2005 and in April of 2006. Subjects: One-thousand fifty college students enrolled in freshman level foods and nutrition or personal health courses in fall 2005 were invited to participate in the study; 507 agreed to participate in the study. Main Outcome Measures: Weight change, meal frequency, number of breakfasts per week, breakfast type, and amount of alcohol consumed were analyzed. Weight change by breakfast category was also analyzed. Statistical analyses: Diet records were entered into Nutritionist Pro™ for nutrient analysis. Associations between weight change and meal frequency, breakfast consumption, and alcohol intake in college students were analyzed using independent t-test and analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: Two-hundred and thirty subjects completed the study. Subjects ate more breakfasts per week in September (148.5 ± 32.5) compared to April (149.6 ± 32.5, p > .05). Non-breakfast eaters gained slightly more weight than breakfast eaters (p = .099). Similar results were found for meal frequency and weight change. Those who consumed more meals per day gained less weight compared to those who ate 4 or fewer meals per day (p = .206). Non drinkers gained significantly more weight than heavy drinkers (p = .004). Conclusion: Although significant associations between breakfast consumption, meal frequency and weight change were not found, results from this study suggest that increasing breakfast consumption as well as meal frequency may be beneficial in reducing the amount of weight gained over time. Although non-drinkers gained significantly more weight than heavy drinkers, more studies are warranted to investigate this finding. Application: This study strengthens the literature on meal frequency and breakfast consumption as they are associated with changes in body weight. The study was also the first of our knowledge to assess these associations in a college setting. Based on these findings, more studies are warranted to determine whether the associations between weight changes and meal frequency as well as breakfast consumption and breakfast type are strongly correlated when a larger and more diverse population base is used. / Master of Science

Background: Training, travel, and competition can make an athlete's fluid needs different from the general population. As such, there is a need for an acceptable tool to determine the unique beverage intake habits of athletes. The BEVQ-15 is one such tool to determine beverage intake over time but has not yet been confirmed for accuracy in college athletes. Objective: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the validity and reliability of the beverage questionnaire (BEVQ-15) for measuring fluid intake in collegiate NCAA athletes. Design: Athletes were recruited from two NCAA Division I universities. The individuals in this study (n=61) completed two short BEVQ-15 surveys plus three dietary recall interviews administered by trained diet technicians to compare the surveys against. The two surveys were administered at least three days apart and the 24-hour dietary recalls included two weekdays and one weekend day. Results: This study included 61 athletes at the conclusion. Comparing the BEVQ-15 to the 24-hour recall standard, Spearman's rho correlation tests found that 7 of the 15 categories are significant at P≤0.01 when comparing fluid ounces, while 5 of the 14 categories are significant at P≤0.01 when comparing kcal consumed. An additional 3 categories for both ounces and kcal consumed are significant at P≤0.05. With these findings, validity criteria are met. Fruit juice, sweetened fruit juice, low fat milk, diet soft drinks, sweetened tea or coffee, and hard liquor are not strongly correlated between testing methods in the collegiate athlete population. Pearson correlations demonstrated significant reliability comparing BEVQ-15 responses of test one and two for all but one category for ounces consumed and three for calories consumed at P≤0.01. The results of Bland-Altman suggested acceptable limits of agreement between the two measures. Follow up linear regression models indicated no proportional bias. Conclusions: The BEVQ-15 is a valid tool for the assessment of beverage intake in an NCAA Division I athlete population. As such, the BEVQ-15 may be a useful tool for assessing beverage intake and patterns in collegiate athletes. / MS / How hydrated an athlete is can play a major role in their physical performance and overall health1. Athletes may have unique fluid needs that depend, at least in part, on the timing, volume, and type of beverage consumed and the needs required by their training and competition specific to their given sport. Training, travel, and competition can make an athlete’s fluid needs different from the general population. As such there is a need for an acceptable tool to determine the beverage intake habits of athletes. This makes a short survey asking about drink consumption desirable for this population. The BEVQ-15 fits this description but has not yet been confirmed for accuracy in college athletes. Therefore the purpose of this study is to prove the accuracy of using drink survey (BEVQ-15) in measuring beverage intake in collegiate NCAA athletes. To do so, this study will look at results from 61 NCAA collegiate athletes recruited from Virginia Tech and Radford Universities. The participants completed two short BEVQ-15 surveys as well as three dietary recall interviews to compare the surveys against. The BEVQ-15 surveys were repeated on two occasions and found to be reliable. The beverage (and food) intake from the recalls was analyzed using dietary analysis software, compared to the data obtained by the BEVQ-15, and found to be a valid tool to assess beverage intake patterns among NCAA Division I collegiate athletes.

Eggplant grafting implemented implemented in two field sites in the Philippines, in Nueva Ecija and Pangasinan are used as proofs of concept to illustrate and validate the feasibility of an impact assessment framework for determining the nutritional impact of technology-oriented agricultural activities. Nutritional impacts are assessed by disaggregating the market demand curve into demand curves by income groups using their separate price elasticities of demand. Considering only price effects, the increase in yields following a per unit cost reduction due to eggplant grafting has positive effects on the daily caloric intake per capita in the different income classes with the greatest impact on the lowest income class for both sites. Net increases in calorie intake ranges between 0.09 and 0.6 kilocalories per capita per day. / Master of Science

Determining intake of feeds in horses is an important factor in incorporating supplements in their diets. Fecal recoveries (R), fecal output (FO), dry matter digestibility (DMD) and dry matter intake (DMI) were estimated using alkanes as markers in 8 thoroughbred geldings. The experiment compared two diets in a 2 X 2 latin square experiment. The diets were mixed grass hay only (H) and the same hay plus a cereal by-product (H + CBP). The cereal by-product (CBP) was the high fat component added to feeds at Virginia Tech's Middleburg Agricultural Research and Extension Center. The apparent digestibility of ether extract (EE) and other nutrients in the H and H + CBP, as well as the partial digestibility of CBP were also determined. The periods were 21 d each with a dietary accommodation period followed by eight days of dosing the even chain alkanes dotriacontaine (C32) and hexatriacontane (C36) as external markers. Total collection (TC) was performed the last 4 d of dosing. The results show that mean recoveries of alkanes were close to 100%, but the range for individual alkanes was wide, and the pattern of recoveries for alkanes of different chain length was inconsistent from feed to feed. The results also indicate that mean estimates of the DMI, DMD and FO of a feed, such as H or H + CBP, are determined with reasonable accuracy by means of alkane markers. In contrast, alkane estimates of DMI and DMD in an individual horse fail to predict corresponding TC estimates. The alkane estimate of FO in an individual horse predicts a TC value with error of 16.4%. The CBP was found to be an excellent source of EE, CP and fiber but a poor source of Ca. / Master of Science

Osteoporosis affects half of all women over the age of fifty, but can be prevented through proper nutrition and exercise early in life. Few studies have been conducted that document positive gains in knowledge about osteoporosis prevention in young girls and no research has been completed in which osteoporosis education is delivered by peers in children. A 3-A-Day™ of dairy peer education program was developed by local Girl Scouts with the purpose of teaching other Girl Scouts about the importance of calcium intake and weight-bearing activities in the prevention of osteoporosis, overweight, and hypertension. Peer educators had significant increases in their overall knowledge of dairy (p<0.001) and self-efficacy related to 3-A-Day™ (p<0.05) after teaching peer education programs. Program participants had significant improvements in knowledge of calcium-rich foods (p<0.001) and weight-bearing activities (p<0.001). Participants were able to identify the recommended number of dairy servings per day (p<0.01). Although parents indicated that their daughters' knowledge increased after participation in the peer education program, parents' ratings of knowledge were not significantly related with daughters' ratings. Qualitative evaluation indicated that these Girl Scouts enjoyed serving as peer educators. This research supports the importance of osteoporosis education in young girls and demonstrates positive outcomes of peer education for both educators and program participants. / Master of Science

During adolescence, the nutritional needs are higher than at any other time in the lifecycle. Childhood food practices persist into late adolescence and children's food preferences predict their food consumption patterns. Therefore, it is important to understand what influences their preferences and how they change over time. The main objective of this part of the THUSA BANA study was to investigate the eating habits of children aged 10-15 years in the North West Province (NWP). A cross-sectional design was used to investigate the eating habits of the children. A single, random sample, stratified for gender (male/female) and ethnic group (black, white, coloured, Indian) was drawn from schools (primary/secondary) in the five regions in the NWP. Dietary intake data (24-h recall method) were used to evaluate the adequacy of nutrient intakes, while frequencies and mean quantities of food intakes and an eating habits questionnaire were used to establish patterns of intake to identify dietary practices. Overall the diets of children 10-15 years of age were deficient in various micronutrients. The RD/Al's were not met for vitamin A, C, E, folate, pantothenic acid, biotin, calcium, magnesium, zinc and copper. The intake of fibre was low. Girls skipped breakfast more often than boys and children from informal settlements skipped breakfast more often than children from rural and urban areas. A significantly lower BMI was found for the children having breakfast when observing all the children, but not for different age and gender groups. The reason given most for skipping breakfast was not being hungry in the morning, but food availability which may have also played a role. The skipping of breakfast was associated with a lower diet quality. A low intake of fruit and vegetables and high intake of snacks were apparent. The intake of snacks, such as chips, cheese curls and sweets were reported more frequently than fruit or vegetables. Small milk portions and large portions of cold drink were reported, suggesting that cold drink is replacing milk in the diet. Overweight children consumed smaller portions of milk, though no correlation between calcium intake and BMI was found. Overweight boys consumed more carbonated cold drink and overweight girls consumed more squash, showing cold drink intake may be positively related to overweight. The snacks consumed were not nutrient dense and were consumed very regularly. The high intake of snacks may contribute to the low micronutrient and fibre intake. The importance of fruit, vegetables, milk, breakfast and high nutrient dense snacks needs to be emphasized with both the children and their parents. / Thesis (M.Sc. (Dietetics))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2005.

Introdução. O consumo de açúcares aumentou consideravelmente nas últimas décadas, bem como a incidência e a prevalência da obesidade, gerando a elaboração de recomendações para moderá-lo. Os açúcares contribuem para a palatabilidade dos alimentos, podendo também aumentar sua densidade energética (DE), outro fator de risco para obesidade. Uma alternativa seria a substituição por adoçantes não calóricos, que também aumentam a palatabilidade dos alimentos, porém são isentos calorias. No entanto, ainda não existe consenso a respeito das implicações desta substituição principalmente na redução da ingestão energética e do peso corporal. Objetivo. Identificar a DE da dieta, a ingestão energética total e de macronutrientes, segundo consumo de adoçantes e/ou alimentos processados com adoçantes por adultos e idosos. Métodos. Estudo transversal, no qual foram coletados dados de sexo; idade; peso e estatura, para cálculo do IMC; consumo de adoçantes, por questionário adaptado e pelo recordatório de 24 horas, foram calculadas as médias de DE, de ingestão energética total e de macronutrientes. Para verificar associação entre variáveis independentes (idade, sexo, IMC, uso de adoçantes não calóricos) com a dependente \"classificação da DE foi realizada regressão logística, considerando dietas com alta DE aquelas com 1,5 Kcal/g ou mais. Para comparação das médias de ingestão energética e de macronutrientes, entre usuários de adoçantes e não usuários, foi utilizado o Teste t de Student (p 0,05) pelo Stata 10.0. Resultados. Participaram do estudo 168 indivíduos, com idade média de 54,8 anos (DP = 14,9 anos), sendo 84,5 por cento do sexo feminino, 67,9 por cento com sobrepeso ou obesidade e 44,1 por cento usuários de adoçantes. A média da DE das dietas de usuários de adoçantes foi 1,15 Kcal/g (IC 95 por cento [1,11; 1,19]), e de não usuários 1,28 Kcal/g (IC 95 por cento [1,23; 1,33]). Para regressão logística, as variáveis contínuas, idade e IMC, foram categorizadas, porém esta última não permaneceu no modelo final (p > 0,10). Apesar de não significativo, a variável sexo permaneceu no modelo como ajuste. A classificação da idade (p = 0,042) e o uso de adoçantes (p = 0,002) apresentaram associação com os menores valores de DE. Não foi encontrada diferença nas médias de ingestão energética e de macronutrientes entre os grupos. Conclusão. Uso de adoçantes se associou com menores valores de DE, mas não houve diferença no consumo energético total e de macronutrientes entre grupos / The consumption of sugar has increased considerably in recent decades, as well as the incidence and prevalence of obesity, leading the development of recommendations to moderate this consumption. Sugars contribute to the palatability of food, but may also increase their energy density (ED), which is an important obesitys risk factor. An alternative would be replacing sugar by non-caloric sweeteners, which increase the palatability of foods, but with free calories. However, the implications of this substitution in reducing energy intake and body weight are controversial. Objective. Identify the ED of diets, the total energy intake and macronutrient consumption according to the consumption of sweeteners and/or processed foods with sweeteners by adults and elderly. Methods. A cross sectional study, that collected data on gender, age, weight and height, to calculate BMI, consumption of non-caloric sweeteners, by questionnaire and with data from 24-hour recall, were calculated the average of ED, total energy intake and total macronutrient intake. Logistic regression was performed to assess the association between independent variables (age, gender, BMI, use of non-caloric sweeteners) and the dependent classification of ED, considering diets with high ED those with 1.5 kcal/g or more. To compare the means of total energy intake and total macronutrient intake, among noncaloric sweeteners users and nonusers, was used the Students t test (p 0.05) by Stata 10.0. Results. Were collected data form 168 individuals, with an average age of 54.8 years (SD = 14.9 years), 84.5 per cent female, 67.9 per cent overweight or obese and 44.1 per cent users of sweeteners. The mean of ED diets of non-caloric sweeteners users was 1.15 kcal/g (CI 95 per cent [1.11; 1.19]), and 1.28 Kcal/g (CI 95 per cent [1.23; 1.33]) for non-users. For logistic regression the continuous variables, BMI and age, were categorized, but the former did not remained in the final model. Although the variable gender was not significant it remained in the model for adjustment. The classification of age (p = 0.042) and the use of sweeteners (p = 0.002) were associated with lower values of ED. No difference was found in the means of total energy intake and total macronutrient intake between the groups. Conclusion. The use of sweeteners was associated with lower values of ED, but there was no difference in the means of total energy intake and total macronutrient intake between the groups