The Effects of a Western Diet vs. a High-Fiber Unprocessed Diet on Health Outcomes in Mice Offspring.

Diet influences critical periods of growth, including gestation and early development. We hypothesized that a maternal/early life diet reflecting unprocessed dietary components would positively affect offspring metabolic and anthropometric parameters. Using 9 C57BL-6 dams, we simulated exposure to a Western diet, a high-fiber unprocessed diet (HFUD), or a control diet. The dams consumed their respective diets (Western [n = 3], HFUD [n = 3], and control [n = 3]) through 3 weeks of pregnancy and 3 weeks of weaning; their offspring consumed the diet of their mother for 4.5 weeks post weaning. Measurements included dual X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scans, feed consumption, body weight, blood glucose, and insulin and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) in the offspring. Statistical analyses included one-way ANOVA with Tukey's post hoc analysis. The offspring DEXA measures at 5 and 7.5 weeks post parturition revealed higher lean body mass development in the HFUD and control diet offspring compared to the Western diet offspring. An analysis indicated that blood glucose (p = 0.001) and HbA1c concentrations (p = 0.002) were lower among the HFUD offspring compared to the Western and control offspring. The results demonstrate that diet during gestation and early life consistent with traditional diet patterns may influence hyperglycemia and adiposity in offspring.

Service, Scholarship, and Sacrifice: A Qualitative Analysis of Food Security Barriers and Strategies among Military-Connected Students.

BACKGROUND: In the United States, 41% of 4-year university student veterans have reported food insecurity, but literature on food insecurity among military-connected students is limited. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to increase knowledge of military-connected student food insecurity experiences and potential strategies to address food access. DESIGN: The study is a cross-sectional survey and nonexperimental qualitative cohort analysis. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: Military-connected students (n = 127) responded to a survey sampling all enrolled students at a Mountain West land grant university during spring 2020. Military-connected student focus group participants (n = 8) were purposively sampled from the same university during fall 2020. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Main outcome measures were demographic data and food insecurity rates. Qualitative measures included responses to questions about food insecurity among military-connected students, actions for improving food insecurity, and insight into food access resources on campus. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Descriptive statistics were used to determine food insecurity rates. Qualitative analysis included audio recording and transcription, then a step-by-step process for coding and theme development. RESULTS: Food insecurity was reported by 42.5% of military-connected student survey respondents. Qualitative analysis revealed themes about current and planned food access resources, barriers to food security, and strategies to promote military-connected student food security. Main themes related to resources were access to resources and food offerings. Main barrier themes were pride and shame. Main strategy themes included military pride and military connections and culture. CONCLUSIONS: Military-connected students are at least as vulnerable to food insecurity as the student body at large. Qualitative analysis identified barriers and strategies for food security among military-connected students. Feelings of pride in identifying with the military seemed to amplify feelings of shame about food insecurity; however, this pride and sense of military community also suggest that food security efforts specifically tailored to military-connected students could be successful.

Nutrient and popping characteristics of Wyoming-grown Peruvian popping beans.

American consumers fall short of dietary fiber intake recommended by dietary guidelines. Beans provide protein and fiber, however, less than 14% of adults include them in their daily diets. Nuña beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), a class of common beans originated in South America and cultivated for growth in North America, possess a unique set of characteristics including flavor profile, popping ability, and nutrient content that may appeal to consumers. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a unique line of Wyoming-grown popping beans to (1) determine nutrient characteristics and (2) assess popping percentage and shelf stability. Crude protein content was determined for five lines grown in Wyoming utilizing the Dumas method for nitrogen quantification. Total fatty acid content and a fatty acid profile for one line (CO49957) was determined by gas-liquid chromatography. Popping percentage was assessed by heating beans in canola oil in a cast iron pan to induce popping. Storage duration impact on popping was evaluated on CO49957 at 6, 12, and 15 months after harvest. Crude protein content was significantly different between all five lines. Total fatty acid content of CO49957 averaged 2.90 g/100 g wet weight. Average fatty acid profile of CO49957 popped in canola oil comprised oleic acid (41.4%), linoleic acid (20.4%), α-linolenic acid (18.6%), palmitic acid (10.4%), and stearic acid (2.23%). Popping percentage was 90% (baseline), 100% (6 months), 87% (12 months), and 80% (15 months). Popping beans provide plant-based protein and fiber while maintaining adequate levels of popping percentage with prolonged storage.

Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire and Clinical Impairment Assessment norms for intersectional identities using an MTurk sample.

OBJECTIVE: There are limited data to guide the interpretation of scores on measures of eating-disorder psychopathology among underrepresented individuals. We aimed to provide norms for the Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire (EDE-Q) and Clinical Impairment Assessment (CIA) across racial/ethnic, gender, and sexual identities, and sexual orientations and their intersections by recruiting a diverse sample of Amazon MTurk workers (MTurkers; N = 1782). METHOD: We created a comprehensive, quantitative assessment of racial/ethnic identification, gender identification, sex assigned at birth, current sexual identification, and sexual orientation called the Demographic Assessment of Racial, Sexual, and Gender Identities (DARSGI). We calculated normative data for each demographic category response option. RESULTS: Our sample was comprised of 68% underrepresented racial/ethnic identities, 42% underrepresented gender identities, 13% underrepresented sexes, and 49% underrepresented sexual orientations. We reported means and standard deviations for each demographic category response option and, where possible, mean estimates by percentile across intersectional groups. EDE-Q Global Score for a subset of identities and intersections in the current study were higher than previously reported norms for those identities/intersections. DISCUSSION: This is the most thorough reporting of norms for the EDE-Q and CIA among racial/ethnic, sexual, and gender identities, and sexual orientations and the first reporting on multiple intersections, filling some of the gaps for commonly used measures of eating-disorder psychopathology. These norms may be used to contextualize eating-disorder psychopathology reported by underrepresented individuals. The data from the current study may help inform research on the prevention and treatment of eating-disorder psychopathology in underrepresented groups. PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE: We provide the most thorough reporting on racial/ethnic, sexual, and gender identities, and sexual orientations for the Eating Disorder Examination - Questionnaire and Clinical Impairment Assessment, and the first reporting on intersections, which fills some of the gaps for commonly used measures of eating-disorder psychopathology. These norms help inform research on the prevention and treatment of eating-disorder psychopathology in underrepresented groups.

Measures Derived from Panoramic Ultrasonography and Animal-Based Protein Intake Are Related to Muscular Performance in Middle-Aged Adults.

Ultrasonography advantageously measures skeletal muscle size and quality, but some muscles may be too large to capture with standardized brightness mode (B-mode) imaging. Panoramic ultrasonography can capture more complete images and may more accurately measure muscle size. We investigated measurements made using panoramic compared to B-mode ultrasonography images of the rectus femoris with muscular performance. Concurrently, protein intake plays an important role in preventing sarcopenia; therefore, we also sought to investigate the association between animal-based protein intake (ABPI) and muscular performance. Ninety-one middle-aged adults were recruited. Muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) and thickness were obtained using B-mode and panoramic ultrasound and analyzed with Image J software. Muscular performance was assessed using isokinetic dynamometry, a 30-s chair test, and handgrip strength. Three-day food diaries estimated dietary intakes. Linear regression models determined relationships between measures from ultrasonography and muscular performance. Mixed linear models were used to evaluate the association between ABPI and muscular performance. Muscle CSA from panoramic ultrasonography and ABPI were positively associated with lower-body strength (ß ± S.E.; CSA, 42.622 ± 20.024, p = 0.005; ABPI, 65.874 ± 19.855, p = 0.001), lower-body endurance (ß ± S.E.; CSA, 595 ± 200.221, p = 0.001; ABPI, 549.944 ± 232.478, p = 0.020), and handgrip strength (ß ± S.E.; CSA, 6.966 ± 3.328, p = 0.004; ABPI, 0.349 ± 0.171, p = 0.045). Panoramic ultrasound shows promise as a method for assessing sarcopenia. ABPI is related to better muscular performance.

Vitamin D Synthesis Following a Single Bout of Sun Exposure in Older and Younger Men and Women.

Older adults are frequently cited as an at-risk population for vitamin D deficiency that may in part be due to decreased cutaneous synthesis, a potentially important source of cholecalciferol (vitamin D3). Previous studies found that cutaneous D3 production declines with age; however, most studies have been conducted ex vivo or in the photobiology lab. The purpose of this study was to characterize the response of vitamin D metabolites following a 30-min bout of sun exposure (15-min each to the dorsal and ventral sides) at close to solar noon in younger and older adults. METHODS: 30 healthy individuals with skin type II/III were recruited; a younger cohort, aged 20-37 (n = 18) and an older cohort (n = 12), age 51-69 years. Exposure was at outer limits of sensible sun exposure designed to enhance vitamin D synthesis without increasing risk of photo ageing and non-melanoma skin cancer. Serum D3 concentration was measured at baseline, 24, 48 and 72 h post-exposure. Serum 25(OH)D was measured at baseline and 72 h post-exposure plus 168 h post-exposure in the older cohort. RESULTS: D3 increased in response to sun exposure (time effect; p = 0.002) with a trend for a difference in D3 between cohorts (time*group; p = 0.09). By regression modeling of continuous data, age accounted for 20% of the variation in D3 production. D3 production decreased by 13% per decade. Despite changes in D3, however, serum 25(OH)D did not change from baseline to 72 or 168 h post exposure (p > 0.10). CONCLUSIONS: Serum D3 concentration increased significantly in response to outdoor sun exposure in younger and older adults. While ageing may dampen cutaneous synthesis, sunlight exposure is still a significant source of vitamin D3.

Barriers and Strategies for Healthy Food Choices among American Indian Tribal College Students: A Qualitative Analysis.

BACKGROUND: American Indian and Alaskan Native individuals experience disproportionate levels of chronic health conditions such as type 2 diabetes and overweight and obesity that are influenced by dietary patterns and food choices. Understanding factors that influence healthy food choices among tribal college students can enrich education and programs that target dietary intake. OBJECTIVE: To build an understanding of factors that influence healthy food choices among tribal college students at increased risk for college attrition. DESIGN: A nonexperimental cohort design was used for qualitative descriptive analysis. PARTICIPANTS/SETTING: Participants (N=20) were purposively sampled, newly enrolled, academically underprepared tribal college students enrolled in a culturally relevant life skills course at an upper Midwest tribal college between September 2013 and May 2015. Participant demographic characteristics included various tribal affiliations, ages, and number of dependents. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Participant responses to qualitative research questions about dietary intake, food choices, self-efficacy for healthy food choices, psychosocial determinants, and barriers to healthy food choices during telephone interviews were used as measures. ANALYSIS: Qualitative analysis included prestudy identification of researcher bias/assumptions, audiorecording and transcription, initial analysis (coding), secondary analysis (sorting and identifying meaning), and verification (comparative pattern analysis). RESULTS: Qualitative analysis revealed a variety of themes and subthemes about healthy food choices. Main themes related to barriers included taste, food gathering and preparation, and difficulty clarifying healthy food choices. Main themes related to strategies included taste, cultural traditions and practices, and personal motivation factors. CONCLUSIONS: Qualitative analysis identified barrier and strategy themes that may assist nutrition and dietetics practitioners working with tribal/indigenous communities, tribal college educators and health specialists, and tribal community health workers who target health and dietary intake of American Indian and Alaskan Native students.