A dramatic rise in the incidence of obesity in the U.S. has accelerated the search for interventions that may impact this epidemic. One recently recognized target for such intervention is adipose tissue, which secretes a variety of bioactive substances including prostaglandins. Prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2 ) has been shown to decrease lipolysis in adipocytes, but limited studies have explored alternative mechanisms by which PGE 2 might impact obesity, such as adipogenesis or lipogenesis. Studies conducted on Apc Min/+ mice indicated that selective inhibition of the cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 enzyme led to significant reductions in fatty acid synthase (FAS) activity in adipose tissue suggesting lipogenic effects of PGE 2 . To further investigate whether these lipid mediators directly regulate lipogenesis, we used 3T3-L1 adipocytes to determine the impact of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and celecoxib on PGE 2 formation and FAS used as a lipogenic marker. Both arachidonic acid (AA) and EPA dose-dependently increased PGE secretion from adipocytes. AA was expectedly more potent and exhibiting at 150 uM dose a 5-fold increase in PGE 2 secretion over EPA. Despite higher secretion of PGE by EPA and AA compared to control, neither PUFA significantly altered FAS activity. By contrast both AA and EPA significantly decreased FAS mRNA levels. Addition of celecoxib, a selective COX-2 inhibitor, significantly decreased PGE 2 secretion (p < 0.05) versus control, and also significantly decreased FAS activity (p < 0.05). Unexpectedly, the combination of exogenous PGE 2 and celecoxib further decreased the FAS activity compared to PGE 2 alone or untreated controls. In conclusion, EPA-mediated inhibition of AA metabolism did not significantly alter FAS activity while both AA and EPA significantly decreased FAS mRNA expression. COX-2 inhibition significantly decreased PGE 2 production resulting in a decrease in FAS activity and expression that was not reversed with the addition of exogenous PGE 2 , suggesting an additional mechanism that is independent of COX-2.

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The Appalachian region of the U.S. is disproportionately impacted by poverty, obesity, and nutrition-related chronic diseases. Evidence suggests that caregiver feeding practices may promote healthful eating behaviors among children; however, this has not been examined in low-income, rural, Appalachian populations. This study examines caregiver feeding practices as predictors for child diet in low-income Appalachian families, using a cross-sectional analysis of 178 caregivers of young children (ages 2–10 years old), that were recruited from low-income, rural communities in East Tennessee, from November 2017 to June 2018. Caregivers self-reported measures of demographics, feeding practices, and child dietary intake. Multiple linear regression analyses were run, and found that higher use of caregiver modeling positively predicted child vegetable consumption (Beta = 1.02; p = 0.04). Higher caregiver intake of fruits and vegetables positively predicted child fruit consumption (Beta = 0.29; p = 0.02) and vegetable consumption (Beta = 1.56; p < 0.001), respectively. Higher home availability of healthier foods positively predicted child fruit consumption (Beta = 0.06; p = 0.002) and vegetable consumption (Beta = 0.09; p = 0.05). Higher home availability of less healthy foods positively predicted child consumption of high-sugar/high-fat snack foods (Beta = 0.59; p = 0.003). The findings of this study indicate that caregiver modeling, healthy caregiver dietary intake, and healthful home food availability are associated with healthier child dietary intake among young children in low-income, rural, Appalachian areas. Promoting these practices among caregivers may be an important strategy to enhancing dietary intake of children in this hard-to-reach, underserved population.

This sample of mothers indicated general acceptance of videoconferencing for lactation consultation, with younger mothers and those perceiving it to be more useful demonstrating greater acceptance.

A convenience sample of male nonathlete college students (n = 47) was assessed (diet intake, physical activity, and anthropometrics) and interviewed on protein knowledge/behavior. Most participants were unaware or misinformed about protein and were using supplements. Fifteen percent of participants consumed less than 0.8 g/kg per day, 70% consumed 0.8 to 1.99 g/kg per day, and 15% consumed 2 g/kg per day or more of protein. Differences between protein intake groups were assessed using a multivariate analysis of variance. The low protein intake group had higher body fat percentages, body mass indexes, and waist circumferences (P < .05). Future experimental research is needed to examine the impact of differing protein intakes on body composition in college male populations.