Development of estimates of dietary nitrates, nitrites, and nitrosamines for use with the short willet food frequency questionnaire

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Studies have suggested that nitrates, nitrites, and nitrosamines have an etiologic role in adverse pregnancy outcomes and chronic diseases such as cancer. Although an extensive body of literature exists on estimates of these compounds in foods, the extant data varies in quality, quantified estimates, and relevance.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We developed estimates of nitrates, nitrites, and nitrosamines for food items listed in the Short Willet Food Frequency Questionnaire (WFFQ) as adapted for use in the National Birth Defects Prevention Study. Multiple reference databases were searched for published literature reflecting nitrate, nitrite, and nitrosamine values in foods. Relevant published literature was reviewed; only publications reporting results for items listed on the WFFQ were selected for inclusion. The references selected were prioritized according to relevance to the U.S. population.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Based on our estimates, vegetable products contain the highest levels of nitrate, contributing as much as 189 mg/serving. Meat and bean products contain the highest levels of nitrites with values up to 1.84 mg/serving. Alcohol, meat and dairy products contain the highest values of nitrosamines with a maximum value of 0.531 μg/serving. The estimates of dietary nitrates, nitrites, and nitrosamines generated in this study are based on the published values currently available.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>To our knowledge, these are the only estimates specifically designed for use with the adapted WFFQ and generated to represent food items available to the U.S. population. The estimates provided may be useful in other research studies, specifically in those exploring the relation between exposure to these compounds in foods and adverse health outcomes.</p

A study of the impact Rowan University\u27s alcohol & other drug program has on behaviors, dispositions & attitudes among students

The primary purpose of this study was to investigate the impact that Rowan University\u27s Alcohol & Other Drug program had on the behaviors, dispositions and attitudes of students responsible for violating the institution\u27s alcohol policy. The study focused on the changes among students that attended the new program, instituted in the Spring 2008 semester, during the 2008-2009 academic year. Data on the behaviors, dispositions and attitudes were collected using a pre and post-test instrument, which consisted of 53 questions composed in both close-ended and Likert form. Data analysis suggests that the most significant changes among students were behavioral in nature. Students reported a significant change in their decision making while intoxicated, specifically regarding their involvement in unlikely sexual encounters and participation in physical altercations. Additionally, students reported a change in dispositional factors including a decrease in their approval of drinking for the sole purpose of intoxication and their intent to knowingly violate Rowan University\u27s alcohol policy simply because they thought they could get away with the violation. In regards to the students\u27 intent to change their alcohol-related behavior, there appeared to be minimal statistical significance