C.B. Hollenbeck

Changes in Body Weight, Body Composition and Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR) in First-Year University Freshmen Students

Objectives: The purpose of the present study was to document any changes that might occur in body weight, body composition, RMR, and dietary intake in newly enrolled college freshmen. Methods: Body weight, RMR by ventilated O2 consumption, body composition by bioelectrical impedance and dietary intakes were recorded in 27 first-year college freshmen during their initial 16-week semester. Results: Mean body weight increased significantly with time (3.0 lbs; p < 0.001); 16 subjects (59%) gained ≥ 3.0 lbs, while 6 subjects (22%) gained ≥ 6 lbs. Percent fat mass significantly increased (p < 0.001), while lean body mass decreased (p < 0.001). Changes in RMR failed to reach statistical significance; however, there was a significant correlation between changes in weight and RMR (r = 0.45; p < 0.02). Mean reported calorie intake did not differ significantly between the beginning (1905 ± 664 kcal) and end (1960 ± 687 kcal) of the study. However, the differences (≈55 kcal) are in the range necessary to support the mean 3 lb. weight gain. Conclusions: The present study supports the notion that freshmen students, on average, gain weight during their first semester; however, this weight gain may be more modest than generally perceived. The study also provides important new data on changes in diet, body composition and RMR.

Effects of cholesterol diets on vascular function and atherogenesis in rabbits.

Vascular endothelial dysfunction is an important early event in atherogenesis. To evaluate the effects of different levels of cholesterol-containing diets on vascular function and atherogenesis, 17 New Zealand White male rabbits were randomized into four groups: Control with noncholesterol, 10-week 0.5% (0.5C-10) or 1% cholesterol (1C-10), and 14-week 0.5% cholesterol (0.5C-14) feedings. After 10 or 14 weeks, the aortas were harvested for studies of vascular endothelial function and percentage surface lipid lesions. The 0.5% and 1% cholesterol feedings resulted in the same degree of hypercholesterolemia independent of the level and period of cholesterol feeding. There was a decreased trend in vascular endothelial-dependent relaxation to acetylcholine in cholesterol-fed rabbits. Fourteen-week cholesterol feeding induced the least vascular dilation at a concentration of 10-7 M acetylcholine (-38 +/- 3%, -23 +/- 4%, -23 +/- 2%, and -15 +/- 5% in control, 0.5C-10, 1C-10, and 0.5C-14 groups, respectively, P = 0.003). More cumulative exposure of arterial walls to cholesterol induced more surface lipid lesions in the aorta (r = 0.877, P < 0.001). There was a negative relationship between aortic lesions and vasodilation (r = -0.557, P = 0.020 for calcium ionophore; r = -0.463, P = 0.062 for acetylcholine). We conclude that the 0.5% and 1% cholesterol feedings induce similar degrees of hypercholesterolemia. However, aortic lipid lesions and vascular reactivity are dependent on cumulative exposure to cholesterol rather than serum cholesterol level only. Furthermore, decreased vascular endothelial relaxation in cholesterol-fed rabbits was related to lipid plaques in the aorta.

Infant-feeding practices of low-income Vietnamese American women

Healthy People 2010 breastfeeding goals include 50% exclusive breastfeeding at 6 months. In California, US, Santa Clara County Women, Infants, and Children (SCCWIC) data indicated Asian participants had low (5.6%) 6-month breastfeeding rates. To examine infant-feeding practices, Vietnamese breastfeeding peer counselors surveyed 133 Vietnamese SCCWIC participants (≥ 18 years old, nonpregnant, < 28 months postpartum) using a structured questionnaire regarding intentions, attitudes, and subjective norms toward breastfeeding. Results indicated that 75% initiated breastfeeding in the hospital (33% exclusively, 42% partially), and 25% exclusively formula fed. At survey time, 49% had terminated breastfeeding (average duration 4.4 months). Feeding intentions during pregnancy predicted feeding method used (P < .001). Most prenatal advice was from SCCWIC employees, friends, and doctors who supported breastfeeding. Most postnatal advice was from nurses who supported breastfeeding and bottle-feeding equally. Stronger control beliefs, peer counseling, and education were correlated with breastfeeding (P < .001). Improved postdelivery hospital advice may further increase breastfeeding initiation and duration. J Hum Lact . 24(4):406-414. Entre las metas de Healthy People 2010 están el 50% de lactancia materna exclusiva a los 6 meses. Datos del programa WIC del condado de Santa Clara (SCCWIC) indicaron bajos índices de lactancia materna a los 6 meses (5.6%) entre las participantes asiáticas. Madres consejeras de lactancia vietnamitas encuestaron 133 participantes vietnamitas del programa SCCWIC (>18 años, no embarazadas, <28 meses postparto) usando un cuestionario estructurado en relación a las intenciones, actitudes y normas subjetivas hacia la lactancia materna. Los resultados indicaron que 75% iniciaron la lactancia materna en el hospital (33% exclusivamente, 42% parcial); 25% alimentación exclusiva con formula. Al momento de la encuesta, 49% habían suspendido la lactancia materna (promedio de duración 4.4 meses). La intención de alimentación infantil durante el embarazo predijo el método utilizado (p<0.001). La mayoría de los consejos fueron de empleados del programa SCCWIC, amigos y doctores que apoyaron la lactancia materna. La mayoría de los consejos postnatales fueron de enfermeras que apoyaban la lactancia materna y la alimentación con biberón igualmente. Fuertes creencias de control, conserjería de madres y educación se correlacionaron con la lactancia materna (p<0.001). Una mejor conserjería después de la salida del hospital puede aumentar la iniciación y la duración de la lactancia materna.

Qualitative Analysis of Cancer Patients' Experiences Using Donated Human Milk:

This represents the first published account from the patients perspective of the use of human milk as cancer therapy. Purposive sampling was used to select a sample of 10 participants. Five were patients and 5 were family proxies. Individual interviews were conducted using confirmatory interviewing technique to obtain individual perspectives on the motivation for cancer patients to take donated human milk. Human milk therapy improved the quality of life (QOL) measures in the physical, psychological, and spiritual domains for most patients interviewed. The patients continued their use of human milk despite cost, taste, and discouragement from the conventional medical community. The study results support the theory that QOL may be more important to cancer patients than cancer outcomes and may improve patient medical care overall. These interviews offer information to cancer patients, their practitioners, and donor milk banks on outcomes and symptom relief from this therapy. J Hum Lact. 25(2):211-219

Hispanic Adults Attending English as a Second Language (ESL) Classes at an Adult School Are Food Insecure

Food insecurity in the United States is associated with poverty and ethnicity. Rates of food insecurity among groups who may not qualify for government assistance programs such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are lacking. Hispanic adults taking English as a second language (ESL) day and evening classes in an affluent area of Northern California were surveyed in Spanish to determine the prevalence of food insecurity and respondents’ knowledge and use of food assistance programs. Of 107 respondents (57% male), 58.9% had a steady job. Yet, 68% were food insecure. Many (79%) respondents purchased inexpensive staple foods when money was limited. Gender, household size, time of day attending classes, and employment status had no effect on food security status. Eighteen percent (n = 13) of food insecure respondents accessed food assistance programs but the reminder (82%, n = 60) reported lack of access, primarily due to lack of program awareness. This study suggests that food insecurity is widespread among working immigrants living in an affluent area. Action plans are needed to address the awareness gap and other potential barriers to participation in food assistance programs to improve food security among working and nonworking Hispanic immigrants.