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Overview. Experiential learning has become a common pedagogical approach to provide university students an opportunity to apply classroom-acquired knowledge and skills in real-world settings. Evaluation of such experiences from a student perspective is needed to improve experiential learning opportunities offered in higher education settings. Purpose. The purpose of this qualitative study was to evaluate the experience of 13 university students who rotated with a healthy lifestyle program for middle schoolers. Method. The Peer-education About Weight Steadiness Club program was implemented by peer or adult educators, as a healthy lifestyle after-school intervention. Trainees participated in a learning rotation with the program for 16 weeks and were exposed to research coordination and implementation of the nutrition and healthy lifestyles program. After finishing their rotation, trainees completed a structured elicitation interview conducted by a faculty member and a graduate assistant. The 11-question individual elicitation interview, ranging from 16 to 40 minutes, queried trainees on elements of the learning experience. A grounded theory approach was used to guide data coding and analyses, which led to formulation of themes. Results. Forty codes were assigned to segments of the interview responses, which were then coalesced to formulate six themes and 16 subthemes. Identified themes include (1) program context, (2) roles and responsibilities of trainees, (3) professional development of trainees, (4) overall program implementation, (5) factors influencing implementation, and (6) health and behavioral outcomes. Conclusions. Student trainees gained program content knowledge, acquired skills transferable to their careers, valued this learning experience, and planned to apply lessons learned. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assessed muscular torque and rate of torque development following concentric (CON) or eccentric (ECC) isokinetic training. Thirty-eight women were randomly assigned to either CON or ECC training groups. Training consisted of knee extension and flexion of the nondominant leg three times per week for 20 weeks (SD = 1). Eccentric training increased ECC knee extension and flexion peak torque more than CON training. The ECC group improved acceleration time and time to peak torque with ECC movements versus the CON group. Slow-velocity ECC isokinetic training yielded greater ECC and similar CON torque development gains versus CON training over the course of 20 weeks in young women.

BackgroundTreatment of overweight and obesity through body weight reduction has been monumentally ineffective as few individuals are able to sustain weight loss. Rather than treating weight gain once it has become problematic, prevention of weight gain over time may be more effective. ObjectiveThe aim of this research is to preclude the burden of adult obesity in women by identifying the determinants of weight gain prevention. The objective of this randomized controlled trial (RCT) is to compare a weight gain prevention intervention delivered by the registered dietitian versus counselor. MethodsThis is a 12-month parallel-arm weight gain prevention RCT designed to increase self-efficacy, self-regulation, outcome expectations and family and social support through the use of a nutrition education intervention in women, aged 18-45 years, from the Urbana-Champaign (Illinois, USA) area. Women have been randomized to registered dietitian, counselor or wait-list control groups (August 2014) and are undergoing weekly nutrition education sessions for four months, followed by monthly sessions for eight months (through August 2015). Outcome measures, including: (1) dietary intake, (2) physical activity, (3) anthropometric and blood pressure measurements, (4) biochemical markers of health, (5) eating behaviors and health perceptions, and (6) mediators of behavior change, were collected before the intervention began (baseline) and will be collected at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months of the study. ResultsIn total, 87 women have been randomized to intervention groups, and 81 women have completed first week of the study. Results are expected in early 2016. ConclusionsThis RCT is one of the first to examine weight gain prevention in women across normal, overweight, and obese body mass index categories. Results of this research are expected to have application to evidence-based practice in weight gain prevention for women and possibly have implication for policy regarding decreasing the encumbrance of overweight and obesity in the United States.

To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jada.2006.04.018 Byline: Sharon M. Nickols-Richardson, Jeannemarie M. Beiseigel, Frank C. Gwazdauskas Abstract: Relationships among bone mineral density (BMD), bone turnover markers, cortisol, calcium and vitamin D intakes, and cognitive eating restraint score were examined. Sixty-five healthy women, ages 18 to 25 years, had total body, spine, hip, and forearm BMD measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Serum osteocalcin, urinary cross-linked N-telopeptide of type I collagen (NTx), and salivary cortisol were measured, and intakes of calcium and vitamin D were estimated from questionnaires. Cognitive eating restraint scores were determined from the Eating Inventory. Associations between measures were analyzed by Pearson correlations; predictors of BMD and bone turnover markers were tested using stepwise regression. Serum osteocalcin (P<0.01) and urinary NTx (P<0.05) were negatively related to cognitive eating restraint score. Intakes of calcium (P<0.05) and vitamin D (P<0.05) were associated with forearm BMD. Regression analyses indicated that vitamin D intake predicted total body (P<0.08) and forearm (P<0.01) BMD. Negative associations between cognitive eating restraint score and bone biomarkers suggest a reduction in bone remodeling, not reflected in current BMD.

The impact of a low-carbohydrate/high-protein diet compared with a high-carbohydrate/low-fat diet on ratings of hunger and cognitive eating restraint were examined. Overweight premenopausal women consumed a low-carbohydrate/high-protein (n=13) or high-carbohydrate/low-fat diet (n=15) for 6 weeks. Fasting body weight (BW) was measured and the Eating Inventory was completed at baseline, weeks 1 to 4, and week 6. All women experienced a reduction in BW (P<.01), although relative BW loss was greater in the low-carbohydrate/high-protein vs high-carbohydrate/low-fat group at week 6 (P<.05). Based on Eating Inventory scores, self-rated hunger decreased (P<.03) in women in the low-carbohydrate/high-protein but not in the high-carbohydrate/low-fat group from baseline to week 6. In both groups, self-rated cognitive eating restraint increased (P<.01) from baseline to week 1 and remained constant to week 6. Both diet groups reported increased cognitive eating restraint, facilitating short-term weight loss; however, the decrease in hunger perception in the low-carbohydrate/high-protein group may have contributed to a greater percentage of BW loss. J Am Diet Assoc. 2005;105:1433-1437.

This study examined the effect of a low-carbohydrate/high-protein diet on serum and urine ketone body concentrations. Thirteen overweight premenopausal women aged 32 to 45 years consumed [less than or equal to]20 g carbohydrate/day with liberal intakes of protein and fat for 2 weeks; thereafter, carbohydrate intake increased 5 g/week for 10 weeks. Women were weighed and provided fasting urine and blood samples to detect urinary ketones and quantify serum ketone concentrations, respectively, at baseline and weeks 1 to 4, 6, and 12. Women lost 8.3%[+ or -]2.8% of initial body weight by week 12. Serum [beta]-hydroxybutyrate production was highest at week 1 and declined weekly, with all values higher than baseline (P < .05). Each week, serum [beta]-hydroxybutyrate was correlated with presence of urinary ketones (P < .05), but no relationship was found between weekly weight change and serum ketone production. Urinary ketones are detected in premenopausal women complying with a low-carbohydrate/high-protein diet and are associated with serum ketone concentration. However, serum ketones do not reflect weight loss. J Am Diet Assoc. 2005;105:608-611.

This article discusses the relationship between diet, body weight, and bone mineral density in female college students. Topics include osteoporosis risk, nutrition, absorption, and exercise.

This article evaluates the nutritional knowledge and counseling practices of collegiate coaches and athletic professionals. Findings indicate that the majority of coaches and trainers are knowledgeable about nutritional issues, that most athletes are provided with nutritional supplements, and that many athletic professionals utilize a dietitian when making nutritional recommendations to athletes.

Young female gymnasts tend to have less body fat than non-gymnasts and gymnasts may reduce their intake of calories in order to achieve a shape they see as appealing to peers, coaches and judges. A study of summaries of 12 studies of these gymnasts shows that they have deficiencies in calcium, iron, as well as calories, according to most of these studies. Two studies did not find important differences in diet between gymnasts and non-gymnasts. Coaches, parents and gymnasts should receive more education on this issue, and gymnasts' growth should be monitored.