Breast Cancer

More information coming soon!

E-PHIT

Menopause increases total and abdominal fat mass with nearly 70% of postmenopausal women being overweight or obese, a risk factor for metabolic syndrome (MetS). Our data has demonstrated the positive effects of a higher-protein, reduced-carbohydrate  diet (PRO) when compared to a traditional higher carbohydrate diet (CARB) on primary risks for MetS (TG, INS, body composition changes). Our data also suggests that sprint interval cycling exercise (EX-SIC) is a feasible, effective and time-efficient training modality for overweight women, increasing insulin sensitivity and reducing postprandial triglycerides (PP-TG). Importantly, the energy content and macronutrient composition of the post-exercise meal appear to be important for the effect of exercise on PP-TG to be expressed.

The overarching goal of this project is to determine the combined effects of PRO and EX-SIC on MetS risk in weight stable older women. The first aim is to determine the effectiveness of PRO including eggs alone or combined with EX-SIC to favorably impact PP-TG and postprandial insulin (PP-INS) and fasting lipids, glucose, insulin, and markers of inflammation compared to CARB alone or with EX. It is hypothesized that for all MetS risk factors, beneficial effects will occur in the following order: PRO+EX>PRO>CARB+EX>CARB.

The second aim is to explore the effect of the macronutrient content of the post EX-SIC meal (PRO vs. CARB) on postprandial metabolism. We hypothesize that the PRO will sustain the beneficial effects of acute EX-SIC on PP-TG and PP-INS better than CARB, an effect that will be further enhanced post-intervention in the following order: PRO+EX>PRO>CARB+EX>CARB.

POWER-Dawgs

Overweight and obesity rates are increasing at exponential rates, especially in younger adults.  A group that experiences unique barriers to engaging in a healthy lifestyle is young adults (18-24 years of age), particularly on a college campus.  Undergraduate students, particularly freshman, face one-of-a-kind barriers to living a healthy lifestyle.  For many of these students, college and a transition to adulthood are associated with weight gain, which has gained the term “Freshman 15.”  For many students, college is the first time in lives they are responsible for their health care, diets, and leisure-time physical activity.

The objective of this study is to gather information about the freshmen students at UGA to generate a report to provide a picture of the health statuses of the Class of 2015.  This project will also look at students’ physical activity and nutrition behaviors and how they relate to students’ body composition, quality of life, stress, fatigue, depression, self-esteem, and body image.  This information will be used to develop programs and interventions aimed at helping college students, particularly freshmen, learn more about weight management and its effects on their adult lives.

WASABI

The objectives of this project are to test the effect of 1) daily consumption of 9 mg of dihydrocapsiate (DCT), a food ingredient similar to capsiates found in sweet peppers, to be consumed in ready-to-eat cereal, cereal bars, and/or crackers for 12 weeks, on resting energy expenditure (REE) relative to baseline when compared to a control group consuming products without DCT and 2) the immediate effect of consuming DCT on REE.  The primary outcome is change in REE with the secondary outcome being change in REE in response to DCT (thermic effect of feeding). This compound may assist in energy balance and weight control and be a realistic option for the public to prevent obesity.

Capsaicin, a substance found in chili pepper, is known to stimulate thermogenesis through the central nervous system but unfortunately gives gastrointestinal side effects. Dihydrocapsiate (DCT), a capsinoid, found in the non-pungent CH-19 sweet pepper has similar thermogenic effects without the gastrointestinal side effects. It is unknown whether these beneficial side effects of DCT are longer term or if they habituate (i.e. adaptation occurs) or if the acute response (thermic effect of feeding response) is also impacted by chronic use. The objective of this project is to test the effect of 12 weeks of chronic daily consumption of 9 mg Dihydrocapsiate (DCT) delivered in ready-to-eat cereal, cereal bars, and/or crackers on resting energy expenditure relative to baseline when compared to a control group consuming products without DCT. It is hypothesized that following a period of adaptation, chronic daily consumption of 9 mg of DCT will result in a consistent and sustained elevation in resting energy expenditure of approximately 50 kcal per day, on average, relative to baseline as compared to the control group. Primary outcome is change in fasting resting energy expenditure with the secondary outcome being change in resting energy expenditure in response to DCT (thermic effect of feeding).