Objective: To evaluate the effect of providing sugar-free, salt-free spice blends on vegetable intake among adolescents Design: Quasi-experimental, case-control Methods: Subject selection, consumption, and enjoyment of vegetables served in school-offered meals was measured prior to the intervention period and again following 4 weeks of providing spice blends. Measurements were made using numerical and Likert scales along with open-ended solicitation of feedback. Setting: South Jefferson High School, Adams, New York Participants: High school students enrolled in health classes in the 2023-2024 school year (n=13). Intervention: Following a pre-test assessment, students were provided with optional spice blends in the lunch lines for 4 weeks. After the 4 weeks, a post-test was administered to measure the effect of the spices on vegetable selection, consumption, and enjoyment. Results: After 4 weeks, the spice blends did not produce significant changes in vegetable selection, consumption, or enjoyment among subjects. Conclusions and Implications: Herbs and spices have been demonstrated elsewhere to be effective methods for improving vegetable intake in the adolescent population.22,23 This study’s results suggest the need for further, more rigorous testing in the population.

Objectives: Evaluate the effectiveness of a new nutrition program developed to address the nutrition education needs of this community. Design: Quasi-experimental Design Methods: The intervention included a new nutrition education program at Carmine Carro Community Center over a period of 5 weeks. Multiple nutrition education classes (5 classes) for older adults in this community were provided to increase their knowledge and promote a healthy lifestyle. Participants were asked to attend each class session. Participants were recruited from the community senior center, located in Brooklyn, NY. Convenience sampling was used to recruit participants. Participants attended these classes as they liked, but they needed to be a member in order to be able to participate. Multiple tools were used to collect data to quantify the effectiveness of the intervention, which included pre-tests and post-tests surveys/questionnaires, nutrition exit slip, activities and games. Quantitative Data (participants surveys/questionnaire scores) were analyzed and compared using paired t-tests created using SPSS software. Qualitative Data were thematically examined to identify facilitators for this intervention, which included observations made during each class session. Results: The nutrition education intervention program increased participants’ knowledge about cholesterol (p < 0.05). However, it demonstrated that there was no change following the diabetes lesson. Participants reported a positive experience with the nutrition intervention program that was implemented. Many were very involved during the class sessions. p-values were used to show the significance difference between the pre-tests and post-tests. Discussion: This nutrition education intervention was effective in increasing the community’s knowledge, and skills. Even Though participation varied during each class session, positive feedback was received from participants. Previous studies have demonstrated that nutrition education works in teaching participants to recognize a healthy diet and promote a healthy lifestyle. A bigger sample size was included in these studies. However, similar results were obtained as it gave participants the opportunity to participate in increasing their knowledge. Strengths of this study is that it provided researchers with complete control over all aspects of the independent variable, more generalizable, and have better external validity. Limitations of this study is that randomization is not used, participation was very low for some of the class sessions, time conflict with the class, bias

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of group nutrition counseling compared to individualized nutrition counseling. Design: Quasi experimental trial Methods: Participants split into two groups. The knowledge change of participants was evaluated by comparing scores of pre- and post- activity. Setting: North Westchester Restorative Nursing Facility, Mohegan Lake, NY Participants: 10 residents of the nursing home enrolled in the study Intervention: Each group participated in an activity in which they determined the daily serving recommendations of sorted various food groups. After an educational lesson, the participants performed the same activity. Results: The 1-on-1 counseled participants showed a statistically significant improvement. There was no statistically significant difference shown among group-counseled participants. Conclusion: The study indicates that 1-on-1 counseling is a more effective method of nutrition intervention compared to group counseling

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a food map tool on increasing knowledge about local sources of food and the information needed on such food map tools to improve the effectiveness. Design: Qualitative Experiment Design. Methods: Community members’ perception of the usefulness of a food map tool created for Livingston County was evaluated using focus groups. Participants were asked pre- & post-questions about the map. Content analysis was used to identify emerging themes. The themes were used to make improvements to the food map tool. Setting: Dansville and Mt. Morris congregate meal sites in Livingston County, NY Participants: In February 2023, 15 community members, who attend the congregate meal sites in Dansville and Mt. Morris, aged 60 years and older were enrolled in this study. Intervention: In February 2023, the food map tool was introduced to community members in a focus group setting. Prior to being shown the tool, participants were asked pre-questions. After seeing the food map, they were asked a series of post-questions. Their responses were recorded for content analysis. Results: The use of a food map tool increased community members’ knowledge of local food sources. However, identified emerging themes support the need for revisions to the food map to increase the effectiveness of the tool. The food map was generally well-received, and many participants opted to keep a copy of the map for themselves. Conclusions and Implications: The food map tool, with proper revisions, can be an effective method to increase the knowledge of local food sources and utilization of such a tool. Determining what the residents are looking for and what they want is important when creating an effective food map tool.

The action research study was conducted to understand how the use of Blooket in high school science classrooms impacts the learning environment. After implementing the specific software into my classroom, I have questioned the value of the integration of such a program as a result of student behavior. In other words, I was looking to investigate whether this gamification detracts from the lesson objective or supports it. This was completed among seventeen, ninth-grade Earth Science students at a suburban New York high school. A total of five science teachers participated in the study as well. After collecting data, three themes were established with the research questions in mind. These themes focused on the various opinions derived from perspectives of both the students and the teachers. Based on the findings and developed themes, I have come to the recommendation of avoiding certain game modes that instigate competitive nature and are found to lead to negative behavior that further disrupts the learning environment.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of 3 educational sessions on nutrition knowledge and behavior in a virtual Facebook group run by a Registered Dietitian. Design: Quasi-experimental design Methods: Three educational sessions were created based on the needs of the Nourished with Emily Facebook group members. Pre and post-tests were used to determine a difference in knowledge before and after the intervention. Behavior change was also evaluated in participants. Setting: Virtual; Zoom Participants: Women who are between the ages of 25-55, live across the United States, and are employed who are members of the Nourished with Emily Facebook group. Intervention: A pre-test was sent out to those that signed up before the intervention. A zoom link was sent to all participants who signed up. The 3educational sessions were based off the areas on the needs assessment survey that were answered incorrectly by most participants. A post-test was sent to participants after the final educational session as well as another post-test one week later. Results: There was no significant difference between the mean total scores of the pre and post-tests. There was also no significance difference in the qualitative data found on the pre and post-tests. However, it was seen that the participants reported that they did apply the information they learned from the intervention on post-test that was sent out 1 week after the last session. Conclusions and Implications: The 3 educational sessions were not effective in significantly increasing nutrition knowledge in this virtual population. These findings reject the authors’ hypothesis that the educational sessions would increase knowledge of the participants.

Objective: Nitrate and nitrite are probable human carcinogens when ingested under conditions that increase the formation of N-nitroso compounds. There have been limited efforts to develop US databases of dietary nitrate and nitrite for standard FFQ. Here we describe the development of a dietary nitrate and nitrite database and its calibration. Design: We analysed data from a calibration study of 1942 members of the NIH-AARP (NIH-AARP, National Institutes of Health-AARP) Diet and Health Study who reported all foods and beverages consumed on the preceding day in two non-consecutive 24 h dietary recalls (24HR) and completed an FFQ. Based on a literature review, we developed a database of nitrate and nitrite contents for foods reported on these 24HR and for food category line items on the FFQ. We calculated daily nitrate and nitrite intakes for both instruments, and used a measurement error model to compute correlation coefficients and attenuation factors for the FFQ-based intake estimates using 24HR-based values as reference data. Results: FFQ-based median nitrate intake was 68·9 and 74·1 mg/d, and nitrite intake was 1·3 and 1·0 mg/d, in men and women, respectively. These values were similar to 24HR-based intake estimates. Energy-adjusted correlation coefficients between FFQ- and 24HR-based values for men and women respectively were 0·59 and 0·57 for nitrate and 0·59 and 0·58 for nitrite; energy-adjusted attenuation factors were 0·59 and 0·57 for nitrate and 0·47 and 0·38 for nitrite. Conclusions: The performance of the FFQ in assessing dietary nitrate and nitrite intakes is comparable to that for many other macro- and micronutrients.

Students across the nation struggle to build a conceptual understanding of scientific phenomena. The complexity of scientific concepts is difficult for students to understand, and students struggle to visualize the processes that are taught in science. New approaches that incorporate digital simulations can be used to enhance student learning of biological processes. However, more research is needed to understand how digital simulations can be used in the classroom to improve student engagement, and ultimately improve student learning. This qualitative study invited secondary teachers at rural high school who use Explore Learning’s digital simulations to teach math and science concepts. The teacher participants completed an online questionnaire which asked them to share their perspectives and opinions of Explore Learning’s simulations and how it effects student engagement. Findings suggest that Explore Learning Math and Science Gizmos increases student engagement. Based on these findings, the student researcher suggests that further research be conducted to test the effect Explore Learning's digital simulations on students' engagement when learning in math and science.

Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, and the numbers of new cancer cases are expected to continue to rise. The main goals of cancer therapy include removing the primary tumor, preventing the spread of distant metastases, and improving survival and quality of life for the patients. To attain these goals of cancer therapy, the combination of different chemotherapeutics, as opposed to the conventional single-agent treatment, is an emerging area of research. Given the potential risks of drug toxicity in such treatment, the focus is to have a second compound that increases the anticancer potential of the primary agent but which reduces toxicity. There is an ever growing interest in treatment with natural compounds, such as plant phytoestrogens, as an adjuvant cancer therapy along with conventional cancer therapy. The question remains whether or not adding these compounds to the cancer therapy regimen as a second agent would be beneficial, and if they are safe to be used among cancer patients. The current literature suggests that phytoestrogen treatment is capable of inducing G2/M cell cycle arrest in a number of cancer cell lines, as well as upregulating cell cycle inhibitory molecules. Phytoestrogen therapy has been shown to inhibit inflammation, angiogenesis and metastases in various in vivo tumor models, and pronounced benefits have been observed when combined with radiation therapy. The lack of side effects from phase I and II clinical trials of phytoestrogens in cancer therapy points towards their safety, but to further understand their added benefit clinical studies with large sample sizes are required. We have reviewed the recent research studies in these areas in an attempt to find evidence for their role in cancer therapy as well as safety.

Background: The prevalence of malnutrition in elderly patients continues to increase with an aging population. Patients with malnutrition are at risk for longer hospital stays, increased risk of frailty, at higher risk for having a poor quality of health, poor health outcomes and increased mortality. Objectives: Evaluate the effectiveness of new nutritional interventions to help correct malnutrition diagnosis criteria. Setting: Presbyterian Home and Services an Acute Rehab and Long Term Care Nursing Facility Participants: 27 elderly patients initially met the malnutrition criteria, at the time of the interventions there were only 20 patients Study Design: Retrospective Study to evaluate the effectiveness of nutritional interventions. That data was utilized to help develop new nutritional interventions. Methods: The newly developed interventions were implemented and the data was collected over a 3 week span. data was collected on weight change, Pre and Post-BMI. The data was analyzed utilizing SPSS Software. Intervention: A high calorie diet was implemented for patients that met the criteria for malnutrition, patients with BMI of 23 were screened to prevent BMI <22, whole milk was programmed in house diet in place of 2% milk Results:100% of the patients had a beneficial wt gain of .10 to 1.25#. This was clinically relevant as evidenced by the score of the paired T-test. During the time frame of the interventions none of the patients had their malnutrition criteria diagnosis corrected. Conclusions: Early screening and implementing nutritional interventions can help prevent malnutrition. Once a patient is diagnosed with malnutrition it is difficult to correct.