In vitro fermentation kinetics of carbohydrate fractions of fresh forage, silage and hay of Avena sativa

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the influence of preservation methods on the fermentation kinetics of carbohydrate fractions of fresh forage, hay and silage of oats, which have been harvested at the milky stage of grain ripening. Samples of unfractionated forage (WF), residue insoluble in 90% ethanol (EIR) and isolated neutral detergent fibre (NDF) were fermented in vitro and the gas production was monitored. To obtain the gas production and fermentation kinetics of the ethanol-soluble fraction (A fraction) the gas produced from the EIR fermentation was subtracted from the WF gas at each time point. The same approach was used to obtain the gas production and fermentation kinetics of the fraction insoluble in 90% ethanol but soluble in neutral detergent solution (B1 fraction), by subtracting the isolated NDF gas curve from the corresponding EIR curve. The fractional maximum rate of gas production (RM) was lower for both preserved forages (p < 0.01 for silage; p < 0.05 for hay) than for fresh forage. Ensiling did not change the size of the A fraction but reduced by 40% its RM (p < 0.01) compared with fresh forage. The potential gas production from the B1 fraction and its RM were reduced by 19% (p < 0.01) and 44% (p < 0.05), respectively. RM of both A and B1 fractions was the same for hay and fresh forage. The curve subtraction technique may be used to obtain an estimation of the rate for neutral detergent-soluble fractions and to determine changes due to ensiling and haymaking on the rate of gas produce

Dietary intake in a randomized-controlled pilot of NOURISH: A parent intervention for overweight children

OBJECTIVE: NOURISH is a community-based treatment program for parents of overweight and obese children (ages 6–11, BMI ≥ 85th percentile). This study examined the impact of NOURISH on child and parent dietary intake, secondary trial outcomes. METHODS: In Virginia from 2008–2009, this randomized controlled pilot was implemented and dietary assessment of parents and children conducted at baseline, post-test, and 6-month follow-up. Parents (85% female, 62% African American, mean BMI=34.1±9.1) were randomized into intervention (n=46) or control (n=50) groups. Children’s (mean age=8.6±1.5) mean BMI percentile was 98.1±2.6. Parents completed 24-hour dietary records for themselves and their child(ren). Repeated measures analyses assessed treatment effects over time. T-tests evaluated within-group changes from baseline to post-test and to follow-up, using a modified intent-to-treat approach. RESULTS: Both groups reported significant dietary changes, with few treatment effects found. For parents in NOURISH, significant improvements were found in intakes of total kilocalories/day, grams/day of carbohydrates and sugar, and percent calories from protein (p<0.05). Among control group children, significant improvements in total kilocalories/day and grams/day of carbohydrates and sugar were found (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Among parents who self-select into a childhood obesity program, minimal intervention can elicit short-term dietary changes comparable to those of a structured intervention