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Nutrition Related Research
Accumulating evidence of a link between diet and prevalent chronic disease has led to new investigations in nutritional epidemiology. EpiCH research supports a panoply of approaches, from detailed dietary analysis to prevention of disordered eating to investigation of obesity, physical activity and cancer etiology.
What is Nutritional Epidemiolgy?
Nutritional epidemiology is an area of epidemiology that involves research to:
• Examine the role of nutrition in the etiology of disease.
• Monitor the nutritional status of populations.
• Develop and evaluate interventions to achieve and maintain healthful eating patterns among populations.
Principal Investigator: Jian-Min Yuan MD, MPH, PhD
Investigators: Dorothy Hatsukami, PhD, Stephen Hecht, PhD, and Mimi C. Yu, PhD
Funding Agency: NIH/National Cancer Institute
Lung cancer is the most common cancer in the world, and the leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. Cigarette smoking causes approximately 90% of lung cancer cases. Despite modest successes of anti-smoking campaigns, there are over 44 million smoker in the U.S. and 1 billion smokers worldwide.
This study is a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled intervention trial to test the efficacy of oral supplementation of 2-phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC), a compound present in watercress and other cruciferous vegetables in reduction of risk markers for lung cancer development among smokers. The study has two phases. The short-term phase is to test if oral supplementation of PEITC capsules for one week can enhance the detoxification metabolism of NNK, an established human lung tobacco carcinogen. The long-term phase of the trial is to evaluate if oral supplementation of PEITC capsules for twelve months can reduce the progression of lung lesions toward advanced stage of lung disease. The ultimate goal of this line of research is to develop an effective dietary chemopreventive agent against the development of lung cancer in smokers.
Last Updated: 6/26/2008 2:46:10 PM
Fast Food Meals Study
Principal Investigator: Lisa Harnack Dr.P.H., R.D., M.P.H.
Investigators: Simone French, Ph.D., Robert Jeffery, Ph.D., Michael Oakes, Ph.D., Mary Story Ph.D.
Funding Agency: National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases
The aim of this study is to examine the effect of nutrition labeling and value size pricing on fast food menu choices.
Last Updated: 5/27/2008 12:11:19 PM
Food and Nutrition Systems for Research
Principal Investigator: Lisa Harnack Dr.P.H., R.D., M.P.H.
Investigators: John H. Himes, Ph.D., M.P.H., Joe Konstan, Ph.D., Computer Science and Engineering; Nancy Van Heel, M.S.
Funding Agency: Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
This is a resource grant, recognizing the Nutrition Coordinating Center (NCC) as a national research resource, and supporting some of its activities. The grant supports the maintenance and enlargement of the NCC nutrient database, and the enhancement of the NDS-R software, a Windows-based software package for the collecting and coding of dietary data in research settings.
Last Updated: 5/23/2008 6:57:56 PM
Project EAT-III: Eating Among Teens and Young Adults
Principal Investigator: Dianne Neumark-Sztainer Ph.D., M.P.H., R.D.
Investigators: Mary Story, PhD, RD; Melanie Wall, PhD; Marla Eisenberg, ScD, MPH; John Sirard, PhD; Melissa Nelson, PhD, RD
Funding Agency: NIH/NHLBI
Project EAT-III follows up on EAT-I and EAT-II to improve our understanding of what influences eating, physical activity, and weight-related behaviors in teens and young adults.
To address the Project EAT-III objectives, two major study components are planned.
Follow-up study with young adults: The EAT survey will be revised based on an expanded model, integrating an ecological perspective with Social Cognitive Theory. Previous Project EAT participants will be contacted by mail and asked to complete the revised survey, a dietary questionnaire, and a physical activity questionnaire.
School-based study with teens: A new group of young people will be recruited from middle schools and high schools in Minnesota. This component of the study will include in-school surveys and measurements of student height and weight, as well as measurements of peer, school, and neighborhood environments. Environmental measures will be completed by peers themselves, school personnel, and Project EAT-III staff. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) will also be used to learn about the neighborhood environment.
Last Updated: 5/6/2008 1:03:31 PM
Television Viewing and Risk of Injury and Chronic Disease Morbidity
Principal Investigator: Mark A. Pereira Ph.D., M.P.H.
Investigators: Mark Pereira (PI), Darin Erickson, David Jacobs, Anthony Fabio (PI at University of Pittsburgh)
Funding Agency: Pending Award from National Institutes of Health / National Institute of Aging
The CARDIA Study data will be used to evaluate the propensity that television exposure may increase the risk for intentional and unintentional injuries, as well as obesity and chronic diseases through a variety of plausible and interrelated mechanisms. We aim to explore the possibility of an interaction between televesion viewing and the hostility trait in predicting a variatey of important health outcomes over this large 20-year prospective study in Caucasians and African Americans from the four U.S. metrapolitan areas.
Last Updated: 3/3/2008 12:50:55 PM
Iowa Women’s Health Study (IWHS)
Principal Investigator: Aaron R. Folsom MD, MPH; Kristin E. Anderson, Ph.D., M.P.H
Investigators: Lisa Harnack, DrPH, MPH; David R. Jacobs, Jr., PhD; DeAnn Lazovich, PhD, MPH; Kristin E. Anderson, PhD, MPH; Kim Robein, PhD; Julie Ross, PhD; Beth Virnig, PhD
Funding Agency: National Cancer Institute
Several previous studies have shown that obese women whose body fat is greater in the abdomen than in the hips are at increased risk for diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. This 25-year study is determining whether body fat distribution is also related to risk of breast and endometrial cancer, and total mortality.
A sample of 42,000 postmenopausal Iowa women completed a questionnaire and took measurements of their own bodies. The women are being followed for occurrence of cancer, using the Iowa cancer registry. Studies of diet and chronic disease occurrence also have been undertaken. Linkage to medicare records is providing new outcome data.
Last Updated: 1/10/2008 2:45:06 PM
Bright Start: Obesity Prevention in American Indian Children
Principal Investigator: Mary Story Ph.D., R. D.
Investigators:
Funding Agency: NIH/NHLBI
Last Updated: 6/25/2007 8:45:19 AM
Healthy Eating Research National Program Office - Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Principal Investigator: Mary Story Ph.D., R. D.
Investigators:
Funding Agency: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Last Updated: 6/25/2007 8:42:31 AM
5-A-Day Preschool Power Plus
Principal Investigator: Lisa Harnack Dr.P.H., R.D., M.P.H.
Investigators:
Funding Agency: National Cancer Institute through a subcontract with Minnesota State Department of Health
Aid in the collection and analysis of evaluation data for 5-A-Day Preschool Power Plus, a study aimed at developing and evaluating an intervention for increasing fruit and vegetable intake of preschool-aged children.
Last Updated: 6/5/2007 11:48:55 AM
Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults Study (CARDIA)
Investigators: David R. Jacobs, Jr., Ph.D.; Lyn Steffen, Ph.D., Michael Steffes, M.D., Ph.D., Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology
Funding Agency: National Institute of Health / National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute
CARDIA is a longitudinal observational study designed to examine secular and age-related trends in risk factors associated with coronary heart disease (CHD). The CARDIA cohort was recruited in 1985 to be balanced on gender, ethnicity, age, and educational attainment among 18 to 30 year-olds in four U.S. communities. These participants have now been followed for 20 years to examine inter-relationships of the major risk factors for CHD in young adulthood as well as emerging risk factors. As the cohort enters middle age, coronary artery calcification will be measured to assess the development of subclinical atherosclerosis and its relationship with antecedent risk factor levels. These trends will help us to better understand the risk factor patterns leading to early disease in an age range when prevention is feasible.
Last Updated: 5/22/2007 2:19:05 PM
Abdominal Adiposity and Risk Factors for Metabolic Syndrome among Hispanic and non-Hispanic White Women
Principal Investigator: Lyn M. Steffen Ph.D., M.P.H, R.D.
Investigators:
Funding Agency: American Diabetes Association
The primary opjective is to 1) determine whether visceral fat is similar between Hispanic and non-Hispanic white women and 2) determine the diet and other lifestyle determinants of visceral adiposity.
Last Updated: 5/17/2007 2:40:15 PM
Chinese Herbs for MEnopausal Symptoms (CHIMES)
Principal Investigator: Kristine Ensrud MD, MPH
Investigators: Mary Homan, MD, MPH
Funding Agency: Bionovo, Inc.
Hot flashes and associated insomnia occur commonly in women at menopause and can be debilitating. Until recently, vasomotor symptoms were commonly treated with estrogens, which are very effective. However, recent randomized trials have shown that postmenopausal hormone therapy increases risk for cardiovascular events, venous thromboembolic events and dementia. Thus, many women and their physicians would like to avoid using estrogens and would prefer safe and effective natural therapies. A combination of Chinese herbs known as Menopausal Formula 101 (MF101) has been used for centuries for treatment of vasomotor symptoms. This is a 12-week, Phase II trial among 180 postmenopausal women nationwide with moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms to determine the optimal dose of MF101 that is safe and effective for the relief of menopausal hot flashes. The University of Minnesota site was the most successful, enrolling 94 participants. The study has concluded and data analysis will begin.
Last Updated: 5/3/2007 1:00:27 PM
Dietary factors in the etiology of colorectal cancer
Principal Investigator: Jian-Min Yuan MD, MPH, PhD
Mimi C. Yu, PhD
Investigators:
Funding Agency: NIH/National Cancer Institute
Environmental and genetic factors play a role in the development of colorectal cancer. Heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAAs) in high-temperature cooked meat and cigarette smoke are potential human colorectal carcinogens. HAAs need to be metabolically activated before they exert their carcinogenic effects. Several enzymes that are encoded by cytochrome P4501A2 (CYP1A2), N-acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2) and possibly NAT1 are involved in this HAA activating pathway. Tea polyphenols are found to inhibit the formation of HAA adducts in animals, and therefore, may protect against the development of colorectal cancer in humans.
The proposed study will utilize two established residential cohorts of Chinese to study the effects of dietary and non-dietary HAAs and green tea consumption on the risk of colorectal cancer. The Shanghai Cohort Study enrolled 18,244 men aged 45-64 years in Shanghai, China, during 1986-89. The Singapore Chinese Health Study enrolled 27,959 men and 35,298 women aged 45-74 years during 1993-1998. At recruitment, all cohort members provided detailed dietary and medical histories. Blood and urine specimens were collected from all Shanghai cohort members and about 50% of Singapore cohort members. The cohorts have been followed for the occurrence of cancer and death through routine ascertainment of new cases from the population-based Shanghai and Singapore cancer registries and vital statistical databases, and for the Shanghai Cohort Study, annual visits to all known surviving cohort members. To date, the cohorts have accumulated more than 680,000 person-years of observation. Among cohort members, 8,255 subjects have died and 5,735 have developed cancer, including 793 colorectal cancers.
During the next 5 years, study investigators will assess the roles of dietary HAAs and tea polyphenol in the development of colorectal cancer using validated biomarker assays. The potential modifying effects of HAA activating genes and tea polyphenols on the HAA-colorectal cancer association will be explored..
Last Updated: 4/26/2007 9:42:23 AM
Dietary factors in the etiology of cancer in Shanghai
Principal Investigator: Jian-Min Yuan MD, MPH, PhD
Mimi C. Yu, PhD
Investigators:
Funding Agency: NIH/National Cancer Institute
The Shanghai Cohort Study was initiated in 1986 and has been found by National Cancer Institute (NCI) since ite inception. This is a residential cohort of 18,244 men in Shanghai, China, assembled during 1986-89 when subjects were between the ages of 45 and 64 years. At recruitment, all cohort members provided detailed dietary and medical histories as well as blood and urine specimens. In the follow-up of 2000-2001, we collected buccal cells from all surviving cohort members. The cohort has been followed for the occurrence of cancer, death, and major health outcomes (eg, cardiovascular disease, diabetes) through routine ascertainment of new cases from the population-based Shanghai Cancer Registry and Shanghai Vital Statistics Units, and annual visits to all known surviving cohort members.
A series of nested case-control studies will be conducted to further elucidate the interplay of genetic and dietary factors in influencing cancer risk. Specifically, study investigators will assess the roles of dietary aflatoxin and antioxidants (selenium, retinol, carotenoids, tea polyphenols) in cancers of the lung and liver; the role of dietary isothiocyanates in cancers of the stomach, esophagus, and colorectum; and the role of tea polyphenols in cancers of the stomach and esophagus. In all instances of diet-cancer investigations, relevant genes with potential modifying effects on the respective diet-cancer associations will be included in the investigations.
Last Updated: 4/26/2007 9:42:09 AM
The Singapore Cohort Study of Diet and Cancer
Principal Investigator: Jian-Min Yuan MD, MPH, PhD
Mimi C. Yu, PhD (P.I.)
Investigators:
Funding Agency: NIH/National Cancer Institute
The overall goal of the Singapore Cohort Study of Diet and Cancer is to elucidate the role of diet in the etiology of cancer. The cohort consisted of 63,257 middle-aged and older (45-74 years) Singapore Chinese men and women accrued between 1993 and 1998. At recruitment, each study subject was interviewed in person by a trained interviewer using a structured questionnaire which emphasized current diet assessed via a validated, 165-item food frequency questionnaire. By April 2005, all surviving cohort subjects had been re-contacted for biospecimen donation. Samples were obtained from 32,535 subjects (28,336 bloods; 4,198 buccal cells; 30,981 urines), representing a consent rate of approximately 60%. The cohort has been followed for death and cancer occurrence through regular record linkage with the population-based Singapore Cancer Registry and the Singapore Registry of Births and Deaths. As of December 31, 2005, 8696 cohort member had died and 5,281 incidence cancers, including 961 lung cancer, 844 colorectal and 599 female breast cancers, had occurred within the cohort.
Last Updated: 4/26/2007 9:41:27 AM
Evaluating vitamin D exposure and metabolism
Principal Investigator: Kim Robien PhD, RD
Investigators: DeAnn Lazovich, MPH, PhD
Funding Agency: Minnesota Medical Foundation
This pilot study will compare questionnaire data collected from 100 healthy volunteers on all-source vitamin D exposures to serum 25-hydroxycholecalciferol levels in order to assess the accuracy of the questionnaire, and to determine whether genetic variants in the vitamin D biosynthesis pathway are associated with alterations in serum vitamin D levels, and if so, which polymorphisms are most predictive of serum levels.
Last Updated: 1/11/2007 6:02:03 PM
Molecular Epidemiology of Pancreatic Cancer
Principal Investigator: Kristin E. Anderson Ph.D., M.P.H
Investigators: Gloria Petersen, PhD
Funding Agency: National Institutes of Health
National Cancer Center
A case-control study of the etiology of pancreatic cancer.
Last Updated: 1/11/2007 2:02:57 PM
Epidemiology of Cancer in a Cohort of Older Women (IWHS competitive renewal)
Principal Investigator: Kristin E. Anderson Ph.D., M.P.H
Investigators: Aaron Folsom, MD, MPH
Funding Agency: National Institutes of Health
National Cancer Institute
The Iowa Women's Health Study recruited a population-based cohort of 41,837 Iowa women, aged 55-69 years in 1986 to determine whether diet, body fat distribution, and other risk factors were related to cancer incidence
Last Updated: 1/11/2007 1:58:49 PM
Global Studies on the Prevention of Obesity (CIRCLE Grant)
University of Minnesota: Simone French, David Fan, Brian Southwell, Alexander Rothman
Deakin University: Kylie Ball, Karen Campbell, David Crawford, Kylie Hesketh, Sarah McNaughton, Anna Timperio, Jo Salmon
Funding Agency: UMN Faculty Research Circle Grants in International Studies, Interdisciplinary Center for the Study of global change & Office of the Vice President for Research
Obesity is a disorder of energy balance, i.e. excess body fat accumulates when energy intake (eating) chronically exceeds energy expenditure (physical activity). Thus, at one level the answer to why we are gaining weight is a simple one. We are eating more and/or are being less physically active than we were a few decades ago. The specific contributions of different behaviours to the obesity epidemic, and the reasons why these behaviours have changed dramatically world wide at this particular point in time, however, are far from clear. Most scientists agree that changes in population rates of this magnitude and in this short a period of time are most likely due to changes in the environment, broadly defined, rather than to changes in underlying biological processes. However, the potential environmental influences are numerous and available scientific understanding of how to measure them and change them is extremely limited. Possible environmental influences on obesity that have attracted attention include aspects of the food supply, for example, new products that may uniquely encourage over consumption such as processed foods with added sugar like soft drinks, increased affordability of food products, increased availability and convenience of food (e.g. the proliferation of fast food restaurants and the increased use of snack foods in school to raise revenues and reward academic performance), and changes in information people receive about obesity related behaviours (e.g. marketing strategies resulting in increased portion sizes and heavy food advertising on TV). Also implicated in promoting obesity are environmental design choices that have made people more dependent on motorized transportation (i.e. suburban sprawl), social policies that have deemphasized physical activity (e.g. reducing physical education in schools) and vastly increased availability and variety of passive electronic entertainments. It is also possible that changes in social influences operating through normative values and beliefs and changing life styles may affect obesity.
The current circle proposal is intended to stimulate interdisciplinary, international research aimed at studying factors contributing to the worldwide obesity epidemic. The proposal is specifically designed to build a collaborative research relationship among researchers at the University of Minnesota around the topic who have complementary skills. It is also designed to build collaborations and between University of Minnesota researchers and researchers in Melbourne, Australia, who also have complementary skills.
Last Updated: 1/10/2007 2:30:27 PM
Examining the Obesity Epidemic through Youth, Family, and Young Adults (TREC)
Principal Investigator: Robert W. Jeffery Ph.D.
Investigators: Leslie Lytle, Eileen Harwood, Simone French, Mindy Kurzer, Mark Pereira, Cheryl Perry, Donald Dengel, Jean Forster, Ann Forsyth, Vincent Chen, Jayne Fulkerson, Myron Gross, Martha Kubik
Funding Agency: NIH/NCI RFA CA-05-0102005-10: Transdisciplinary Research on Energetics and Cancer
The purpose of this center proposal is to conduct transdisciplinary research, training, and outreach on obesity and cancer in youth, family, and young adults. The proposed Center will address questions about the etiology, prevention, and treatment of obesity in youth and families, and explore biological pathways that may link obesity to cancer. The center proposal includes three specific research projects. Project 1 is a multifactorial, cross-sectional, and prospective observational study examining predictors of obesity development in adolescents, including sociocultural factors, family factors, environmental factors, and individual factors. Project 2 is a study evaluating family-base, weight-gain prevention intervention that particularly emphasizes intervention on environmental contributors to weight gain. Project 3 is a study of the effects of physical activity on estrogen metabolism, oxidative stress, and DNA repair mechanisms in young women. The three R01 grants will be supported by two cores, an Administrative Core and a Data Services and Analysis Core. The proposal also includes a career development component, substantial funding for developmental projects, and a dissemination/translation component. The overall goals are to advance transdisciplinary science in the advancement of understanding of obesity, youth, family, and cancer; to support the career development of new investigators in the field; and to disseminate scientific knowledge about the topic to broader audiences.
Last Updated: 12/5/2006 4:43:05 PM
Study of Health Outcomes of Weight Loss (Look AHEAD)
Principal Investigator: Robert W. Jeffery Ph.D.
Investigators: John P. Bantle, MD, Bruce Redmon MD, Richard S. Crow, MD
Funding Agency: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
This is a field center for the Study of Health Outcomes of Weight Loss, which is a multicenter, randomized, clinical trial designed to examine the effects of sustained weight loss on health outcomes in individuals with Type 2 diabetes. The trial has three study groups: 1) community care, 2) lifestyle intervention (comprised of an intensive and sustained program of counseling for diet and exercise behavior change), and 3) lifestyle intervention plus pharmacologic intervention (Orlistat and/or sibutramine). The primary study outcome is carotid intima-media wall thickness. Secondary outcomes include glycemic control, cardiovascular risk factors, cardiovascular and cerebral event rates, cardiovascular disease, and psychosocial well-being. Specific research hypotheses include: 1) that interventions designed to produce sustained weight loss in Type 2 diabetic patients will result in a reduced rate of atherosclerotic progression compared to community care, 2) that individuals receiving weight loss interventions will achieve greater long-term weight reduction and greater improvement in glycemic control and CVD risk factors than those receiving community care, and 3) that aggregated across treatments, a dose-response relationship will be observed between weight change and change in atherosclerotic progression and other study endpoints.
Last Updated: 12/5/2006 4:37:53 PM
Ready, Set, ACTION!: A Theater-Based Obesity Prevention Program for Children
School-based interventions have great potential to reach children from ethnically diverse, low-income backgrounds who are at high risk for obesity. However, parents provide a major source of influence for their children, and empirical findings suggest that family level participation in school-based interventions is typically low. Results from formative work show that a good way to reach out to parents is by inviting them to a performance by their children. The primary aim of this study is to examine the feasibility of an innovative theater program, Ready. Set. ACTION!, that reaches out to children and parents. Intervention messages are based on the children’s own experiences and thus personally and culturally relevant to children and their parents. The after-school program is being run for a 12-week period and reaches out to parents through home food and fitness packs, home challenge activities, healthy eating opportunities, and a play performance. The intensive portion of the program is followed by booster sessions in which children further enhance their skills as agents of change. Results from this study will provide insight into how to engage parents in school-based interventions.
Last Updated: 11/14/2006 1:30:12 PM
New Moves: Obesity Prevention Among Adolescent Girls
Principal Investigator: Dianne Neumark-Sztainer Ph.D., M.P.H., R.D.
Investigators: Mary T. Story, Ph.D.
Funding Agency: NIH/NIDDK
New Moves is a school-based program designed to promote increased physical activity, healthy eating behaviors, and a positive self-image among sedentary adolescent girls at risk for overweight. It is being offered to high-school girls for credit during school hours as an alternative to the regular physical education program. The program includes physical activity, nutritional guidance, social support, individual counseling, and maintenance components. Social Cognitive Theory is being used to guide the program development, implementation, and evaluation. The intervention focuses on modifying personal, socio-environmental, and behavioral factors.
Last Updated: 11/14/2006 1:20:12 PM
Eating Among Teens (Project EAT-I and Project EAT-II)
Principal Investigator: Dianne Neumark-Sztainer Ph.D., M.P.H., R.D.
Investigators: Cheryl L. Perry, Ph.D.; Mary T. Story, Ph.D.
Funding Agency: Maternal and Child Health Bureau, Department of Health and Human Services
Dietary patterns developed during adolescence may contribute to obesity and eating disorders and may increase risk for several important chronic diseases later in life. Furthermore, the prevalence of overweight has increased significantly, in particular among minority youth and youth from low socio-economic backgrounds. In order to address these growing problems, it is essential to identify which groups of adolescents need to be targeted for intervention and to identify the factors that need to be addressed in interventions. Large gaps exist in our understanding of the factors associated with nutritional intake, physical activity, and weight status among adolescents. This study aims to identify the socio-environmental, personal, and behavioral determinants of nutritional intake and weight status among a large and ethnically diverse adolescent population. Study components included: 1) focus groups with adolescents, 2) school-based surveys and anthropometric measurements with adolescents, and 3) parental telephone interviews, and 4) a five-year longitudinal follow-up of 2,516 adolescents.
You can also visit the Project EAT website for additional information on Project EAT.
Last Updated: 11/14/2006 1:16:16 PM
CARDIA Diet Center
Principal Investigator: Lyn M. Steffen Ph.D., M.P.H, R.D.
Investigators:
Funding Agency: National Institute of Health / National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute
The CARDIA Diet Center serves as the coordinating center for the diet assessment component in the year 20 CARDIA exam. The Diet Center revises the Diet History questionnaire and manual of operations, trains nutritionists in diet assessment procedures, and performs quality control activities.
Last Updated: 11/10/2006 3:48:13 PM
The Teens Eating for Energy and Nutrition at School (TEENS) Study
Principal Investigator: Leslie A. Lytle Ph.D., R.D.
Investigators: Cheryl Perry, PhD,
Mary Story, PhD,
Martha Kubik, PhD
Funding Agency: NCI
The Teens Eating for Energy and Nutrition at School (TEENS) study was a school-based intervention study funded by the National Cancer Institute with the goal of increasing middle school students' intakes of fruits, vegetables and lower fat foods. A student survey was included as an evaluation tool and includes questions assessing student tobacco use. The survey was administered to a cohort of students (approximately 3800) at three time points. The tobacco items are being analyzed with other variables assessing the health behaviors of adolescents.
Last Updated: 6/3/2005
Seven Countries Study on Cardiovascular Diseases
Principal Investigator: Henry Blackburn M.D.
Ancel Keys
Ph.D.; Alessandro Menotti, M.D., Ph.D.
Funding Agency: National Institutes of Health with small grants from the various countries involved
The Seven Countries Study began in 1957 in 16 cohorts of middle-aged men of seven countries (eight nations: United States, Finland, the Netherlands, Italy, Croatia, Serbia, Greece, Japan) and continued with at least three
examinations every five years and a complete follow-up for mortality for a period of 25 years. Ten cohorts, in all nations except Croatia and the United States, were then re-examined one or more times at years 25, 30, 35 or 40 of follow-up. Collection and coding of mortality data for a period of 35 years (40 years for some cohorts) is underway and will be completed by the end of year 2000 in 13 of the 16 original cohorts. Centralized analyses, primarily centered on prediction of cardiovascular and other fatal events, are systematically conducted at the Division of Epidemiology in cooperation with the National Institute of Public Health of the Netherlands and partly in Rome, Italy. Prediction is made as a function of cardiovascular risk factors and other personal characteristics, such a diet and electrocardiographic findings and their changes over time.
Last Updated: 5/11/2005
Assessing Health and Eating in Adolescents with Diabetes (AHEAD)
Principal Investigator: Dianne Neumark-Sztainer Ph.D., M.P.H., R.D.
Investigators: Joe Sockalosky, M.D. Children's Hospital and Clinics; Mary T. Story, Ph.D; Joan Patterson Ph.D.
Funding Agency: Children's Hospital and Clinics
Unhealthy weight control behaviors pose risks for the general adolescent population. They have the potential, however, to be particularly harmful for youth with chronic illness. Previous studies by the the investigators have found that youth with chronic illness are more likely to engage in unhealthy weight control behaviors than youth without chronic illness. The question arises as to why youth with chronic illness are at increased risk for unhealthy weight control practices and what can be done to decrease their likelihood for engaging in these behaviors.
Last Updated: 5/11/2005
Effects of Dietary Composition on Exercise Tolerance in Obese Adults
Principal Investigator: Mark A. Pereira Ph.D., M.P.H.
Investigators: Mark Pereira, PH.D. (PI),
Susan Raatz, Ph.D.,
Bruce Redmon, Ph.D.,
Alexander Rothman, Ph.D.,
Donald Dengel, Ph.D.
Funding Agency: American Heart Association
We believe people’s physiological responses to exercise have an important systematic influence on their psychological response to exercise, which we refer to as ‘exercise tolerance’. We theorize that the composition of the diet may affect exercise tolerance through its known impact on metabolic fuels (i.e. glucose and fatty acid. Specifically, typical high carbohydrate diets may have a deleterious impact on exercise tolerance through effects of postprandial hyperinsulinemia on the partitioning of metabolic fuels from oxidation to storage. Our research has shown that high carbohydrate diets, relative to energy-matched moderate carbohydrate diets, result in reactive hypoglycemia, an augmented drop in resting energy expenditure during weight loss, and greater perceived hunger. We theorize that the proposed interplay between the physiological and the psychological systems may have implications for the maintenance of a physically active lifestyle.
To this end, we will use a randomized cross-over design to compare the effects of two dietary patterns – Control (high carbohydrate) v. Experimental (lower in carbohydrate, more slowly digested carbohydrates) -- on obese individuals. A second version of the Experimental diet will be high in protein. Specifically, we will examine the relative effect of the diets on metabolic fuels during standardized exercise testing; perceived exertion, energy, and mood during standardized exercise testing; and free-living day-to-day reported energy levels, mood, and well-being.
By addressing these aims, the proposed study will contribute to our understanding of the interplay between the physiological and psychological systems that regulate people’s exercise behavior. Moreover, if the composition of the diet is shown to have a causal influence on exercise physiology and, in turn, on how people think and feel about exercise, it will provide the basis for new directions in the design of interventions to promote physical activity and prevent obesity.
Last Updated: 5/11/2005
Effects of Breakfast on Hunger, Mood, and Cognition in Youth (A Pilot Study)
Principal Investigator: Mark A. Pereira Ph.D., M.P.H.
Investigators: Mark Pereira, Ph.D., Leslie Lytle, Ph.D.
Funding Agency: Minnesota Obesity Center
This study is designed to evaluate the effects of eating breakfast and to examine the content of breakfast meals on appetite, mood, and cognitive performance in boys. Many studies have documented high rates of skipping breakfast among youth, but prospective and experimental studies are lacking. We hypothesize that children will be less hungry, less irritable, more energetic, and demonstrate superior memory and analytical skills following a breakfast meal in comparison to skipping breakfast. Due to effects of dietary composition on blood glucose and satiety, we further hypothesize that children may be less hungry and perform better on these parameters following a balanced breakfast meal containing whole grain cereal, fruit, and milk than after a refined carbohydrate breakfast meal including a pastry and fruit juice. The proposed study will include a cross-over experimental design in 15 overweight adolescent boys in good health and between the ages of 11 and 14 (middle school). The study findings may provide insight into the role of breakfast habits in modulating energy regulation, behavior, and academic performance.
Last Updated: 4/12/2005
Worksite Environmental Interventions for Weight Control
Principal Investigator: Simone French Ph.D.
Investigators: Simone A. French
Lisa J. Harnack
Traci L. Toomey
Peter J. Hannan
Funding Agency: NIH/NHLBI
This study will evaluate the efficacy of a two-year, multi-component environmental intervention to prevent excess weight gain among 1200 bus operators working in four garages in a major metropolitan area. Four garages will be randomized to the intervention or control group for a two-year period. The environmental interventions are based on a social ecological framework and target four areas: 1) food availability and incentives; 2) physical activity opportunities and incentives; 3) the social environment; 4) media and promotion related to healthy food choices, physical activity and body weight. In addition to the environmental components, social cognitive theory will be used to develop interventions for individual-level behavior change. Body weight, energy intake and physical activity will be measured at baseline and at two years. The effect of the intervention on health claims costs, work absenteeism and worker's compensation claims will be evaluated as a secondary outcome.
Last Updated: 11/11/2004
Effects of Dietary Carbohydrate on Glycemia, Appetite, and Mood
Principal Investigator: Mark A. Pereira Ph.D., M.P.H.
Investigators: Mark Pereira, Ph.D. (PI),
Susan Raatz, Ph.D.,
Alex Rothman, Ph.D.,
Bruce Redmon, M.D.
Funding Agency: Minnesota Medical Foundation & General Clinical Research Center, U of MN
This study is aimed at testing the effects of four different breakfast meals, and of a fasting (water only) condition, on postprandial blood concentrations of glucose, insulin, and fatty acids, and on appetite and mood levels. The meals vary in amount and type of carbohdyrate and fat. This pilot study will help us to design protocols needed to test other potential effects of dietary composition, such as effects on physiologic and psychologic states during and after exercise, and ultimately adherence to dietary and physical activity interventions.
Last Updated: 10/13/2004
The Effects of Fast Food on Body Weight and Health Status
Principal Investigator: Mark A. Pereira Ph.D., M.P.H.
Investigators: Mark Pereira, Ph.D. (PI),
Simone French, Ph.D.,
Susan Raatz, Ph.D.,
Bruce Redmon, M.D.
Funding Agency: Nutritional Resource Foundation
Fast food is a premier dietary pattern in the U.S., yet no clinical trial has been conducted to evaluate the effects of eating at fast food restaurants on body weight and related health parameters. This study is a randomized controlled crossover trial to compare the effects of eating fast food on body weight, body composition, and chronic disease risk factors in young overweight and obese adults. Twenty healthy overweight and obese adults will be recruited from the University and surrounding community. Participants will be assigned to receive two months of each treatment – 1) eating at fast food restaurants daily, or 2) eating home prepared meals with little or no restaurant use. Body weight, body composition, risk factors for chronic disease, detailed dietary intake assessment, and physical activity will be measured before during and after each intervention period. The findings will have the potential to contribute significant scientific information to the limited body of evidence regarding the potential impact of eating fast food on health.
Last Updated: 10/13/2004
Young Adult Longitudinal Trends in Antioxidants (YALTA)
Principal Investigator: David R. Jacobs Ph.D.
Investigators: Myron Gross, Ph.D., Laboratory Medicine and Pathology
Funding Agency: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
YALTA is an ancillary study to CARDIA. Dr. Myron Gross's laboratory measured serum antioxidants using frozen blood from most CARDIA participants. The blood was collected at the CARDIA examinations of years 0, 7 and 10. The next five years of study will look at trends in the antioxidants, measure various oxidative stress indicators, and various markers of oxidative damage. These will be correlated with existence of coronary calculation to better understand mechanisms underlying early atherosclerosis.
Last Updated: 10/10/2003
Food and Nutrition Systems for Research
Principal Investigator: John H. Himes PhD, MPH
Investigators: Lisa Harnack, Dr. P.H., M.P.H.; Joe Konstan, Ph.D., Computer Science and Engineering; Nancy Van Heel, M.S.
Funding Agency: Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
This is a resource grant, recognizing the Nutrition Coordinating Center (NCC) as a national research resource, and supporting some of its activities. The grant supports the maintenance and enlargement of the NCC nutrient database, and the enhancement of the NDS-R software, a Windows-based software package for the collecting and coding of dietary data in research settings.
Last Updated: 4/23/2003
NDS-R Fluoride Component
Principal Investigator: John H. Himes PhD, MPH
Investigators:
Funding Agency: NIH/NHLBI
This project will provide for the incorporation of fluoride into the nutrient database and interview system of the Nutrition Data System for Research (NDS-R) resulting in the ability to assess fluoride intake for individuals using the NDS-R software.
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