Duval County 2009, 2011, and 2013 Fruit and Vegetable Intake by Health Zone: Data from the Youth Risk Behavior Survey

The purpose of this study was to compare the results of fruit and vegetable intake data from the 2009, 2011, 2013 Duval County Youth Risk Surveys (YRBS) by health zone. The survey instrument (questionnaire) is administered using a cluster sample design in all ninth grade classes in public schools (except charter schools) every two (odd) years. The surveys are anonymous and there is parental notification. Oversampling is done to allow for sub-county analysis. There were no statistically significant differences across health zones for any of the fruit and vegetable consumption questions for year 2009 however all health zones were below the recommended level of fruit and vegetable intake. For years 2011 and 2013 despite significant statistical differences by health zone in the frequency of consumption for fruits and vegetables, all health zones had a low mean intake of fruits and vegetables for years 2009, 2011 and 2013. Most respondents indicated consuming fruits, green salad, potatoes (not fried), carrots and vegetables “1 to 3 times during the past 7 days.” Overall intake of fruits and vegetables, however, was low for all health zones

Fruit, Vegetable and Beverage Consumption in Duval County Middle School Students: Youth Risk Behavior Survey 2009-2013

Public health professionals have the opportunity to impact middle school students’ dietary behaviors to combat childhood obesity. The purpose of this study was to investigate the dietary behavior results from the YRBS taken by middle school students in Duval County in 2009, 2011 and 2013. A two-stage cluster design was used and the survey was completed by 6th through 8th grade students following parent notification. Compared to other health zones, Health Zone 1 had the lowest intake of fruits and vegetables in 2009 (2.66 ±1.65) and 2011 (2.77 ± 1.60) and the second lowest intake in 2013 (2.92 ± 1.70). In 2009, 2011 and 2013, Health Zone 1 students’ response for soda intake was consistently higher compared to other health zones (2.39 ±1.54; 2.40 ±1.47; 2.29 ± 1.54 respectively). Health Zone 1, the urban core of Jacksonville, consistently had the lowest intake of fruits and vegetables and the highest intake of soda. Public health strategies should focus on improving fruit and vegetable intake and reducing soda intake within the school environment particularly focusing on Health Zone 1

Paternal Body Mass Index (BMI) Is Associated with Offspring Intrauterine Growth in a Gender Dependent Manner

Background: Environmental alternations leading to fetal programming of cardiovascular diseases in later life have been attributed to maternal factors. However, animal studies showed that paternal obesity may program cardio-metabolic diseases in the offspring. In the current study we tested the hypothesis that paternal BMI may be associated with fetal growth. Methods and Results: We analyzed the relationship between paternal body mass index (BMI) and birth weight, ultrasound parameters describing the newborn’s body shape as well as parameters describing the newborns endocrine system such as cortisol, aldosterone, renin activity and fetal glycated serum protein in a birth cohort of 899 father/mother/child triplets. Since fetal programming is an offspring sex specific process, male and female offspring were analyzed separately. Multivariable regression analyses considering maternal BMI, paternal and maternal age, hypertension during pregnancy, maternal total glycated serum protein, parity and either gestational age (for birth weight) or time of ultrasound investigation (for ultrasound parameters) as confounding showed that paternal BMI is associated with growth of the male but not female offspring. Paternal BMI correlated with birth parameters of male offspring only: birth weight; biparietal diameter, head circumference; abdominal diameter, abdominal circumference; and pectoral diameter. Cortisol was likewise significantly correlated with paternal BMI in male newborns only

The effect of characteristics of proteins fed during gestation and lactation on development of metabolic syndrome in dams and male offspring of Wistar rats

Objective The objective of the study is to examine the role of characteristics of proteins in maternal and weaning diets on risk of metabolic syndrome in male offspring. Methods Pregnant Wistar rats were allocated to two groups (n = 12) and were fed the AIN‐93G diets based on either intact protein‐based diet (IPD) or mixed amino acid‐based diet (AAD) from day 3 of gestation throughout gestation and lactation. Male offspring were weaned to either an IPD or AAD diet for 18 weeks. Results In dams, AAD group had lower body weight in post‐partum period and higher pulse rate compared with IPD group. In pups born to AAD dams, birth weight and body weight were significantly lower, and systolic blood pressure and fasting blood glucose were significantly higher compared with those born to IPD dams. Fat/weight ratio, insulin and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance were not influenced by either maternal or weaning diet. Conclusions These results indicate that the physico‐chemical structure of proteins fed to dams is important in altering risk factors of metabolic syndrome in the offspring, while weaning diets do not seem to play a role. IPD had more favourable effect than AAD. These results may also indicate that dietary recommendations during development must be updated based on physiological properties of dietary proteins that are beyond their nutritional role

The effect of exercise and protein source on food intake regulation and characteristics of metabolic syndrome in obese female wistar rats

Background: Beneficial effects of dietary proteins and exercise in treatment of obesity is well-recognized. The effect of exercise and protein source on food intake, body weight and characteristics of metabolic syndrome in obese female Wistar rats was examined. Female Wistar rats received an obesogenic diet for 12 weeks. Then, rats were allocated to four groups and received one of the following treatments for eight weeks: 1- Whey protein Diet + Exercise (WPE), 2- Soy protein diet + exercise (SPE), 3- Whey protein diet, no exercise (WPN), 4- Soy protein diet, no exercise (SPN). The exercise comprised of 30 minutes on a treadmill, three times/week. Body weight (BW) and food intake (FI), blood pressure, pulse, glucose and intake regulatory hormones were measured. Results: FI and plasma ghrelin (2.7 times) were higher in exercise groups compared with non-exercise groups. BW was lower (6.7%) in groups fed a whey protein diet compared with those fed a soy protein diet. Abdominal fat (% BW) was lower (22.8%) in WPE compared with other groups. Diastolic blood pressure (11.1%) and pulse (6%) were lower in groups fed a soy protein diet compared with groups fed a whey protein diet. Conclusion: While exercise affects food intake, source of protein determines BW and BC. Whey protein showed more favorable effect on BW and body composition

Duval County 2009, 2011, and 2013 Fruit and Vegetable Intake by Health Zone: Data from the Youth Risk Behavior Survey

The purpose of this study was to compare the results of fruit and vegetable intake data from the 2009, 2011, 2013 Duval County Youth Risk Surveys (YRBS) by health zone. The survey instrument (questionnaire) is administered using a cluster sample design in all ninth grade classes in public schools (except charter schools) every two (odd) years. The surveys are anonymous and there is parental notification. Oversampling is done to allow for sub-county analysis. There were no statistically significant differences across health zones for any of the fruit and vegetable consumption questions for year 2009 however all health zones were below the recommended level of fruit and vegetable intake. For years 2011 and 2013 despite significant statistical differences by health zone in the frequency of consumption for fruits and vegetables, all health zones had a low mean intake of fruits and vegetables for years 2009, 2011 and 2013. Most respondents indicated consuming fruits, green salad, potatoes (not fried), carrots and vegetables “1 to 3 times during the past 7 days.” Overall intake of fruits and vegetables, however, was low for all health zones