Preterm newborns born at <32 weeks gestational age are at an increased risk of developing multiple comorbidities. When a mother's own milk is unavailable as a source of nutrition, pasteurized donor breast milk may be used as a substitute. Recent studies using fortified donor breast milk have demonstrated that post-natal growth may be achieved comparable to a mother's own milk. Using data from our milk laboratory charts of preterm newborns exclusively fed fortified donor breast milk, the present study focused on weight gain in relation to the volume of feeds received. The micro-preemie group averaged feeds at the goal volume of 140-170 ml/kg/day for 34% of the time, with the weight gain goal of 15-20 g/kg/day met 30% of the time on average. The extremely low birth weight group averaged feeds at the goal volume of 140-170 ml/kg/day for 70% of the time, with the weight gain goal of 15-20 g/kg/day met 34% of the time on average. The very low birth weight group averaged feeds at the goal volume of 140-170 ml/kg/day for 56% of the time and achieved the weight gain goal of 15-20 g/kg/day 21% of the time, on average. On the whole, the findings of the present study indicate that standard growth goals may be realized with fortified donor breast milk fed at a goal volume.

Objectives The objective of this project was to explore the effectiveness of online nutrition-related diabetes education training for interdisciplinary healthcare students volunteering at a student-run free clinic (SRFC). Providing online nutrition-related diabetes education training to interdisciplinary healthcare students at a student-run free clinic may increase participants’ familiarity with and confidence in providing nutrition-related diabetes education to patients. Methods Student volunteers (n = 16) at a SRFC watched an online training video on nutrition-related diabetes education. Topics covered in the training video included the relationship between diet and type 2 diabetes, and the use of motivational interviewing and SMART goals to counsel patients with type 2 diabetes. Using a pre-test/post-test design with eight Likert-scaled (strongly disagree to strongly agree) items, students rated statements indicating familiarity with and confidence in providing nutrition-related diabetes education to patients. Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were conducted to test for statistically significant shifts in each Likert-scaled item pre- to post-test. Statistical significance was set at P ≤ 0.05. Results Results showed an overall positive shift in response ratings from the pre- to post-test for all Likert-scaled items. Seven of the eight sets of results had a statistically significant positive shift in response rating (P values &lt; 0.05). Conclusions Findings indicate that providing online nutrition-related diabetes education to interdisciplinary students volunteering at a SRFC has potential to increase their familiarity with and confidence in providing nutrition-related diabetes education to their patients with diabetes. Funding Sources No funding was received.

Objectives The objectives of this study were to explore associations between maternal dietary choline intake and diet quality, maternal body mass index (BMI), and infant birth weight. Methods De-identified secondary data from 251 participants in a study involving pregnant women were analyzed to investigate associations between maternal dietary choline intake and infant birth weight; maternal dietary choline intake and 2015 Healthy Eating Index (HEI) scores; as well as 2015 HEI scores and maternal BMI. HEI scores were calculated from 3-day food records obtained during gestation (&lt;10, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36 weeks). Overall dietary choline intake during pregnancy was computed from all food records. Spearman's rank-order correlations, a one-sample Wilcoxon signed rank test, and a mixed linear model were used to test the hypotheses. Results There was a statistically significant correlation between maternal choline intake and the 1st trimester and 3rd trimester 2015-HEI scores (rs(207) = 0.204, P = 0.003 and rs(207) = 0.249, P = 0.00028, respectively). Median intake of dietary choline, 267 milligrams, was significantly lower (P &lt; 0.0005) than the adequate Intake for pregnant women (450 milligrams). There were trends (0.05 &lt; P &lt; 0.1) pointing to a pattern of negative association between maternal BMI and 1st, 2nd, and 3rd trimester 2015-HEI scores. Mixed model analysis revealed a statistically significant negative correlation (β = −0.001, P = 0.010) between maternal choline intake and infant birth weight. Conclusions As dietary choline increased, there was an associative decrease in birthweight; however, overall diet quality was poor and dietary choline intake was significantly lower than the recommended intake for pregnant women. These findings reflect the current body of evidence that pregnant women are at risk for choline inadequacy and that overall diet quality may help in preventing low choline intake during pregnancy. Funding Sources USDA-ARS Project.

Objectives The primary objectives of this study were to: assess change in dietary habits and health outcomes [body mass index (BMI), weight loss, waist circumference (WC), blood pressure, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), total cholesterol (TC), and Hemoglobin A1c (A1C)] among patients following completion of an intensive cardiac rehabilitation (CR) program. Methods This retrospective cohort study involved de-identified data obtained from an electronic medical record (EMR) program and from an excel spreadsheet maintained at a hospital in Arkansas. Data were available from 138 adults, age 29 to 89 years, with a pre-existing heart condition or event, and who completed a 12-week CR program at the hospital's Clinic. Dietary habits were evaluated using the 24-question Rate Your Plate (RYP) survey at initial visit, and discharge. RYP and weight data were also available for a group of patients (n = 18) completing a 3-month follow-up visit. Results There was a statistically significant (P &lt; .0001) mean increase (8.24; 95% CI, 7.03 to 9.45) from the pre-RYP score (51.05 ± 7.43) to the post-RYP score (59.29 ± 6.58). There was a statistically significant (P &lt; .0005) median decrease in weight (−2.00 lbs.) after post-intervention (193.50 lbs.) compared to pre-intervention (195.50 lbs.). There were also significant (P &lt; .05) differences between pre- and post-measurements of BMI, WC, LDL, total cholesterol, and triglycerides. Follow-up data indicated significant changes in the RYP score (P &lt; .0001) and weight (P = .020) were maintained at 3-months follow-up. Conclusions A 12-week CR program including nutrition education and counseling is effective to help patients with CVD or previous heart events improve their dietary habits. There were noticeable changes in diet scores, WC, BMI, and weight loss, with patients being able to sustain weight loss at their three-month follow-up visit (a 5% weight loss). Funding Sources N/A.

Objectives The purpose of this project was to assess dietary changes related to fruit, vegetable, sugary beverage, and caffeinated beverage intakes among adolescent participants attending rural public schools who received nutrition intervention via tele-visits. Methods Students 5th–8th grade from six public schools in rural areas of Arkansas voluntarily participated in a tele-visit nutrition education intervention. Students had the opportunity to participate in up to seven tele-visit sessions over a 6-month period. Each tele-visit consisted of a 20-minute one-on-one session addressing a specific nutrition-related topic. A 16-item retrospective questionnaire assessed dietary behaviors After then Before the intervention. Wilcoxon signed-rank and exact sign tests determined if there were statistically significant differences between the number of days per week fruits, vegetables, sugary beverages, caffeinated beverages, milk, and water were consumed Before and After intervention. Results Data from 29 participants revealed a statistically significant (P = 0.03) median increase (+1.00 day/week) in drinking 8 glasses of water per day After completion of the intervention (4.00 days/week) compared to Before the intervention (3.00 days/week). While not statistically significant (P &gt; 0.05), other results indicated participants experienced positive changes in dietary habits, such as decreased frequency of soda (41% of participants), and sweet tea (41% of participants) consumption, and increased frequency of fruit (41% of participants) and vegetable (28% of participants) consumption. Conclusions While majority of results were not statistically significant, they demonstrated practical relevance among participants through positive changes in dietary habits. Use of tele-visits to reach adolescent populations in rural areas is worth further exploration, as positive changes during this age may have potential to carry-over into adulthood. Funding Sources Telehealth Network Grant Program.