Legumes

Legumes have been part of the human diet for thousands of years. With their multiple health benefits, they deserve a central role in contemporary cuisine as well. The seed-bearing pod of legumes makes them distinguishable from other plant families. The oilseeds, such as soybeans and peanuts, are categorized separately from the grain legumes or beans, such as pinto, kidney, lima, cowpeas, fava, chickpeas (garbanzo beans), len­tils, and dry peas. Scientific research linking grain legume consumption to positive health, nutrition, and longevity outcomes continues to emerge

Pinto Beans and Green Beans Result in Comparable Glycemic Control in Adults with Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized Pilot Trial

Aims: Glucose control is essential to slow disease progression in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The acute effects of dry bean consumption on glucose control are well established, but their long-term effects in daily diets are less known. Methods: The effect of daily consumption of ½ cup pinto beans, compared to ½ cup green beans, on fasting glucose, postprandial glucose and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) in adults with T2DM was examined. After a 2-week wash-in period, 13 participants were randomized to two 12-week long treatments: pinto beans and green beans. Before and after each intervention period, a fasted venous blood sample for glucose and HbA1c analyses was drawn. On 28 non-consecutive days, including the washin, participants kept diet records and measured capillary glucose using a glucometer 1 hour after the meal during which the treatments were consumed. Results: Eight participants completed both treatment periods. There were no statistically significant changes (p\u3c0.05) in fasting glucose, HbA1c or average postprandial glucose values between the two interventions. Conclusions: Pinto beans and green beans result in comparable glycemic control when incorporated into the normal diet of adults with T2DM even though pinto beans have more available carbohydrate per serving

Male Food Pantry Users Have Low Fruit, Vegetable, and Pulse Intakes Despite Interest in Food Nutrition Content

Background: Low-income men’s use of food pantries, and dietary intakes including pulses is understudies. Food pantries can help, but resource restriction limits ability to prepare meals. Convenience foods may not be optimal for nutrition. Pulses (beans, peas, lentils, and chickpeas) count as a vegetable and provide fiber, iron, folate, and other shortfall micronutrients. Increased pulse consumption could improve diet quality. Purpose: The study evaluated low-income men’s use dietary intakes including pulses. Methods: Men aged 25-64 years who utilized food pantry services were eligible. Men completed survey questions on demographics, nutrition assistance programs use, fruit/vegetable/fiber dietary intakes, and pulse consumption patterns. Men received $5 for survey completion. Results: Forty-seven men (46 years ±11) from 10 pantries completed the survey. Seventy-three percent had low food security with 29% receiving SNAP benefits. Fifteen percent met fruit/vegetable recommendations and 35% met fiber goals. Although 32% never ate pulses, 15% ate them 4 times per week. Sixty percent expressed concern with nutrition content of food. Conclusion: Further inquiry on actual nutrition knowledge is needed to guide suggestions for improving dietary intakes of male food pantry users. Increased pulse consumption could improve dietary quality

Training Interns in Nutrition and Dietetics: Barriers and Motivators to Being a Preceptor

Objectives Identify the perceptions and attitudes associated with the preceptor role and incentives that might encourage precepting among nutrition and dietetics professionals in the United States. Methods A random sample of RDN and NDTR professionals from the Commission on Dietetic Registration credentialed practitioner database were invited to complete an online survey about knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of the preceptor role. The survey was adapted from previous published instruments and validated via external content review, pretesting and post-test evaluation with pilot respondents. Results A total of 311 of 2464 invited eligible participants completed the survey, yielding a response rate of 12.6%. The majority of the sample was white, non-Hispanic with an average age of 44 years. More participants had never served as a preceptor (41%) compared to those that were current preceptors (38%) or former preceptors (21%). Respondents were asked what types of incentives would encourage them to continue to train interns or to consider precepting. The top incentives for all participants were the opportunity to earn continuing education units (65.9%) and having expenses paid to attend a national conference (49.5%). Significantly more (P \u3c .001) former preceptors and those that never precepted reported the ability to choose when to take an intern, training on how to teach and communicate with interns and access to an “on-call” specialist for help or assistance with issues when they arise as incentives compared to current preceptors. Significantly more (P \u3c .01) participants who have never precepted reported training on the internship expectations and the ability to provide input on intern selection process were incentives compared to current or former preceptors. Conclusions Incentives to serve as a preceptor differ based on current, former or never served as a preceptor status. Our results suggest promoting and strategizing solutions to the current imbalance between dietetic internship applicants and qualified preceptors should be targeted based on current, former or never precepted status in order to retain current preceptors, encourage former preceptors to return to precepting and recruit professionals that have never served as preceptors

A Comparison of Body Composition Between Elite and Sub-elite Rugby Union Players: An Observational Study

Introduction: The assessment of body composition in athletes has become frequently used in practice as it is assumed to be an important determinant for athletic performance. Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), a three-compartment model which assesses body composition in the form of bone mineral content, lean mass and fat mass, has quickly become the gold-standard measurement of body composition in athletic populations. The aim of this study was to compare body composition and anthropometric measurements between elite and national and development level rugby union players to examine if elite players possess more fat mass, muscle mass and bone content compared to national and development level players due to a higher participation level. Methods: Demographic (age) and basic anthropometric data (stature, mass) were collected in 56 male rugby players (n=38 elite and n=18 national and development). Body composition outcomes were assessed from total-body less head (TBLH) DXA scans (Lunar iDXA, GE Healthcare (Madison, WI) taken during the preseason. The chosen significance level was p = 0.05 and the confidence interval was 95%. Two-way ANOVA tests were used to identify potential significance between the elite and national and developmental players as well as between the two positional groups (forwards and backs). Results: The elite players were significantly older (24 vs 20 years; p=0.001) and displayed significantly greater amounts of trunk total mass (47.8 ± 6.8 vs 43.4 ± 4.8 kg; p = 0.005) compared to national and developmental players. Forwards possessed greater stature (190.1 ± 6.5 vs 180.3 ± 5.2 cm; p <0.001) and body mass (112.6 ± 15.3 vs 89.4 ± 8.2 kg; p<0.001) compared to backs. Forwards also have greater arm (14.3 ± 1.1 vs 11.7 ± 1.2 kg; p <0.001), leg (38.8 ± 3.5 vs 31.2 ± 3.4 kg; p <0.001), trunk (51.7 ± 4.7 vs 41.6 ± 3.7 kg; p <0.001) and TBLH (104.8 ± 8.1 vs 84.6 ± 8.0 kg; p <0.001) total mass. Forwards possessed greater lean mass in the arms (10.9 ± 1.5 kg; p <0.001), legs (28.5 ± 2.3 vs 24.2 ± 2.9 kg; p <0.001) trunk (36.6 ± 2.8 vs 32.8 ± 3.4 kg; p <0.001) and TBLH (76.2 ± 5.0 vs 66.5 ± 7.1 kg; p <0.001) regions. Forwards reported a greater difference in right leg (14.4 ± 1.1 vs 12.2 ± 15 kg; p <0.001) and left leg (14.1 ± 1.2 vs 11.9 ± 1.4 kg; p <0.001) lean mass. Forwards showed greater fat mass in the arms (18.5 ± 3.9 vs 14.7 ± 3.2 %; p <0.001), legs (21.7 ± 4.4 vs 17.4 ± 3.7 %; p <0.001), trunk (25.6 vs 6.2 vs 18.1 ± 4.5 %; p <0.001) and TBLH (23.2 ± 4.7 vs 17.4 ± 3.9 %; p <0.001) regions than backs. Forwards also reported greater TBLH bone mass (4.02 ± 0.44 vs 3.52 kg; p <0.001), BMD (1.56 vs 0.08 vs 1.46 ± 0.09 kg; p<0.001) and BMC (4.02 ± 0.44 vs 3.52 kg; p <0.001) than backs. Conclusion: Elite players were older and possessed greater trunk total mass compared to the national and developmental players. The lack of differences in terms of body composition between the elite and national and developmental groups was likely due to the high level of performance of the national level players as many were close to making the transition to the elite level. In terms of playing position, forwards were greater in stature and possessed more body mass than backs. Forwards were found to have greater amounts of arms, legs, trunk and TBLH total mass, lean mass and fat mass compared to backs. Forwards also showed greater differences in right and left leg lean mass than backs and greater TBLH bone mass, TBLH bone mineral density and content. These findings indicate that playing position may be a greater determinant of body composition than playing level

The Power of a Paradoxical Persona: An Analysis of John Peel’s Radio Talk and Career at the BBC

John Peel holds a unique place in British broadcasting history. During his almost 40-year career as a DJ on the BBC’s Radio One and Radio Four, he not only introduced innovative music—including psychedelia, reggae, punk, hip hop, grunge and electronica—into the British mainstream, but championed hundreds of musicians whose work might otherwise have gone unnoticed. Using Peel as a case study, this research focuses on the role his persona played in three distinct aspects of his success: (1) his ability to attract audiences across several generations; (2) his longevity at the BBC, a bastion of conservative bureaucracy; and (3) his impact on the programming on BBC’s Radio One and on British popular music in general. Drawing on the theories of persona developed by Horton and Wohl (1956) and Goffman (1971, 1981), the study offers a rhetorical analysis of Peel’s broadcast talk to explicate the role of persona in his success. By creating a persona based on selection, omission and emphasis of contradictory traits, Peel presented himself as an Everyman able to pull listeners onto his public platform while placing himself simultaneously in their worlds. Far from the artificial and static persona conceptualized by Horton and Wohl (1956), Peel’s on-air persona was paradoxical and flexible—traits that enhanced his credibility and help explain his unprecedented tenure as a DJ on Radio One and appeal as the host and writer for a talk program on Radio Four. The study ends with a discussion of the conditions required and extent to which it is possible for a single individual such as Peel to have a significant impact on social and cultural change

What is \u27Natural\u27 About Natural Science: Philosophical Naturalism in the Evolution Debate

Creationist Phillip E. Johnson argues that evolution theory is a product of a bias toward naturalistic explanation—a materialist philosophical ideology that encroaches on empirical science. This position even got some support from philosopher Michael Ruse. But the fact is science must include a base level of presupposition; the creationist, while supplying her own, mistakenly thinks that science can operate without such an explanatory guide. This paper defends naturalism in science, thereby rejecting the concerns and arguments of neo-creationists. In this effort, the author argues why naturalism is important to science, uses Dewey to explain why anti-naturalism leads to careless science, and turns to Hume to expose some logical mistakes in the creationist position

Perceptions of Heart-Healthy Behaviors among African American Adults: A Mixed Methods Study

African Americans have a disproportionately higher risk of chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease (CVD), type 2 diabetes, and hypertension than other ethnic or racial groups. Data regarding CVD-related perceptions and beliefs among African Americans are limited, particularly in the Southwest US. Assessment of current views regarding health and health behaviors is needed to tailor interventions to meet the unique needs of specific populations. We sought to examine knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of African Americans living in Arizona toward CVD and etiological factors associated with health behaviors and chronic disease development to inform state health agency program development. Transcripts from 14 focus groups (n = 103) were analyzed using Grounded Theory for perceived disease risk, knowledge of CVD risk factors, nutrition, preventative behaviors, and barriers and motivators to behavior change. Participants identified CVD, stroke, and diabetes as leading health concerns among African-Americans but were less certain about the physiological consequences of these diseases. Diet, stress, low physical activity, family history, hypertension, and stroke were described as key CVD risk factors, but overweight and obesity were mentioned rarely. Participants described low socio-economic status and limited access to healthy foods as contributors to disease risk. Focus group members were open to modifying health behaviors if changes incorporated their input and were culturally acceptable. Respondents were 41% male and 59% female with a mean age of 46 years. This study provides insight into CVD and associated disease-related perceptions, knowledge, and attitudes among African Americans in the Southwest and recommendations for interventions to reduce CVD risk

Health Behaviors among Low-income Hispanic and Non-Hispanic White Women

Objectives: We determined relationships between food behaviors and health-risk factors by acculturation among limited-income Hispanic and non-Hispanic white women. Methods: Women aged 18-49 years were recruited from income-based programs in metro-Phoenix, Arizona. Self-administered surveys in English or Spanish included demographics, a 10-item food behavior checklist, health-risk factors, food security, and acculturation. Differences by 4 acculturation/ ethnicity categories were assessed with chi-square and analysis of variance (ANOVA). We created a food behavior scale. Results: Eighty-two percent self-identified as Hispanic (N = 358), with 45% Hispanic-dominant, 25% bicultural, 12% English-dominant, and 18% non-Hispanic white for acculturation status. Food behavior checklist results showed that English-dominant Hispanic and non-Hispanic white women were more likely to feed their children soon after waking, refrigerate meat/dairy promptly, not add salt to food, smoke cigarettes and be food insecure (p \u3c .001). Education, not acculturation, was a significant predictor of the food behavior scale. BMI did not differ by acculturation, but 33% of Hispanic-dominant Latinas did not know their height and/or weight. These less acculturated Latinas had significantly greater food security, but lacked health insurance and years of education. Conclusions: Program outreach tailored by acculturation that considers educational level is needed to emphasize existing positive behaviors and address knowledge gaps among low socioeconomic women to improve health and reduce disparities

Modeling posttraumatic stress disorder among victimized women on probation and parole : examining the impact of childhood victimization.

Women are the fastest growing segment of the criminal justice population in the United States (Minton, 2013; Pew Center on the States, 2009). Research is needed to understand Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among women involved with the criminal justice system to inform prevention and rehabilitation efforts. Despite findings suggesting that a mental health diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is common among women in this population (Lynch, DeHart, Belknap, & Green, 2012; Salina, Lesondak, Razzano, & Weilbaecher, 2007), little research has examined the presence of this disorder among women involved with the criminal justice system with experiences of childhood victimization. Extant research indicates that women take different pathways toward involvement with the criminal justice system than men (Daly, 1992). This approach, the gendered pathways perspective (Salisbury & Van Voorhis, 2009), recognizes that women who become involved with the criminal justice system often have lives characterized by impoverished backgrounds, multiple victimization experiences, psychological distress and mental illness with self-medication as a means of coping. This research examined the structure of PTSD among 406 women on probation and parole with a history of victimization using the Post-traumatic Diagnostic Scale (PDS). Structural equation modeling was used to verify the structure of the PDS through five models: a one-factor model, numbing model, dysphoria model, dysphoric arousal model and DSM-5 model. Findings indicated that the dysphoric arousal model provided good fit to the data (X2 (109) =302.26, p \u3c .001; CFI = .93; TLI = .91; RMSEA = .07; SRMR = .04). Next, multiple indicators multiple causes (MIMC) analyses were conducted to examine differences in factor structure based upon exposure to childhood victimization (childhood physical or sexual victimization and childhood sexual victimization) controlling for sociodemographic variables. Findings from the first MIMIC analysis (X2 (181) =503.67, p \u3c .001; CFI = .91; TLI = .89; RMSEA = .07; SRMR = .06) provided adequate fit to the data, but indicated that symptom structure and severity was not significantly different for women based upon exposure to childhood physical and/or sexual victimization verses adult only victimization (B= .25, β = .08, SE= .17, p =.13). Results of the second MIMIC analysis (X2 (147) =439.71, p \u3c .001; CFI = .90; TLI = .89; RMSEA = .07; SRMR = .07) provided good fit to the data and indicated that exposure to childhood sexual victimization versus other types of victimization significantly predicted differences in PTSD symptom structure and greater severity (B= .29, β = .10, SE= .14, p =.04). However, childhood victimization accounted for only 1% of the variance in PTSD symptomology. Implications for assessment and treatment of this highly-victimized and traumatized population are discussed including the usefulness of addressing the symptoms of dysphoric arousal including sleep disturbance, irritability, and difficulty concentrating. Suggestions for public policy include increasing economic insecurity and revisiting current legal climate linking substance use with criminal justice involvement