An Exploration of Dietetic Students' Experiences in a Noncourse-based Service-Learning Opportunity in a Canadian Academic Setting.

Purpose: To investigate the experiences of dietetic students in a faculty-supervised, noncourse-based service-learning (NSL) opportunity called Nutrition Ignition! (NI!) to understand how NSL activities contribute to dietetic education.Methods: This study used focus group methodology. A convenience sample was recruited from current members of NI!. Participants completed a brief demographic questionnaire and then engaged in a focus group discussion led by a trained moderator who followed a semi-structured guide. Six focus group discussions were transcribed, and a common theme template was developed by researchers.Results: Out of 46 eligible members of NI!, 33 agreed to participate. The main reasons participants joined NI! were to develop professional skills and to help children in the community. Participants discussed many outcomes from their participation in NI!, including enhanced communication skills, especially in terms of knowledge translation; increased ability to be flexible and adapt to "real-world" situations; deeper awareness of the research process; and expanded world view.Conclusion: This study suggests that NSL is an effective way to build dietetic students' personal and professional skills and provide an additional opportunity in academic settings to prepare dietetic students for entry-level practice.

Process evaluation of the Centrally Procured School Food Program (CPSFP) in Ontario, Canada: school-level perspectives.

This study explored the implementation of the Centrally Procured School Food Program (CPSFP)-a free, universal, volunteer-led snack program for elementary school children. To assess participants' perceptions and experiences with the CPSFP, interviews were conducted in school-level participants (n = 33) using a semi-structured interview guide. Fifteen on-site visits also were conducted at each school to observe implementation practices. Quantitative data were obtained through a general information form where participants provided school characteristics and weekly logbooks where they described program operations and food quality. Most participants expressed positive perceptions of the CPSFP, identifying it as a valuable program for their students. Successful program implementation was associated with an appreciation for the CPSFP and the participation of the school community. Challenges to program implementation included concerns with the volume and types of food provided, issues with classroom food delivery and distribution and communication challenges. Suggestions for improvement included building capacities and enhancing student engagement in the program. Participants provided an in-depth assessment of the implementation of the CPSFP. The lessons learned and suggestions provided may help not only enhance the reach, feasibility and fidelity of the CPSFP, but inform the best practices for similar programs.

Caffeine's impairment of insulin-mediated glucose disposal cannot be solely attributed to adrenaline in humans.

Caffeine (CAF) impedes insulin-mediated glucose disposal (IMGD) and increases plasma adrenaline concentrations ([ADR]; 0.6 nm). While the antagonism of ADR abolishes the CAF effect, infusion of ADR (0.75 nm) has no effect on IMGD. We have now examined CAF and ADR in concert to determine whether or not they elicit an additive response on IMGD. We hypothesized that CAF + ADR would elicit a greater effect than either CAF or ADR alone (i.e. that CAF effects would not be solely attributed to ADR). Subjects (n = 8) completed four trials in a randomized manner. An isoglycaemic-hyperinsulinaemic clamp was performed 30 min after the following treatments were administered: (1) placebo capsules and saline infusion ([ADR] = 0.29 nm) (PL trial), (2) CAF capsules (dose = 5 mg kg(-1)) and saline infusion ([ADR] = 0.62 nm) (CAF trial), (3) PL capsules and ADR infusion ([ADR] = 1.19 nm) (ADR trial), and (4) CAF capsules (dose = 5 mg kg(-1)) and ADR infusion ([ADR] = 0.93 nm) (CAF + ADR trial). As expected, CAF, ADR and CAF + ADR decreased (P

Acute caffeine ingestion does not impair glucose tolerance in persons with tetraplegia.

Acute caffeine (Caf) ingestion impairs glucose tolerance in able-bodied humans during an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). The mechanism responsible for this effect remains unclear, however, it is suggested to be due to the accompanying increase in epinephrine concentration. We examined whether or not Caf would elicit a glucose intolerance in persons with tetraplegia (TP) who do not exhibit an increased epinephrine response following Caf ingestion. All TP [n = 14; 9 incomplete (Inc) lesion, 5 complete (Com) lesion] completed two OGTT 1 h after consuming either gelatin (Pl) or Caf capsules (dose = 4 mg/kg). Blood samples were collected at baseline (time = 0 min), 1 h after capsule ingestion (time = 60 min), and every 30 min during the OGTT (time = 90-180 min). Glucose, insulin, proinsulin, and C-peptide responses were similar (P > 0.05) between treatments, demonstrating no effect of Caf on glucose tolerance. This lack of a Caf effect may be due to the low epinephrine concentration that remained unchanged (P > 0.05) throughout all experiments. Interestingly, the Com exhibited a 50% higher glucose response (P 0.05) lower insulin response (vs. Inc), suggesting a more pronounced glucose intolerance within this subgroup. Furthermore, nine TP (5 Com, 4 Inc) had glucose levels of >or= 7.8 mM at the end of the OGTT (time = 180 min), classifying them as glucose intolerant. In summary, acute Caf ingestion does not increase epinephrine concentration or impair glucose tolerance in TP.

Caffeine ingestion does not impede the resynthesis of proglycogen and macroglycogen after prolonged exercise and carbohydrate supplementation in humans.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of caffeine (Caf) ingestion on pro- (PG) and macroglycogen (MG) resynthesis in 10 healthy men. Subjects completed two trials, consisting of a glycogen-depleting exercise, while ingesting either Caf or placebo capsules. Throughout recovery, biopsies were taken at 0 (exhaustion), 30, 120, and 300 min, and 75 g of carbohydrate were ingested at 0, 60, 120, 180, and 240 min. Whereas Caf ingestion resulted in a higher blood glucose concentration and decreased glycogen synthase fractional velocity (P