
Goji Berries and Energy Expenditure
OverweightEffects of foods or food substances on energy expenditure are of particular interest, because of the increasing prevalence of obesity and its consequent metabolic diseases like type II diabetes and fatty liver disease, all risk factors for the development of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Recently, the Goji berry (Lycium Barbarum, wolfberry) was introduced into the Western diet. L. Barbarum originates from Asia, where it is used to improve the health of several organs. Although L. Barbarum is promoted as a super food with many beneficial effects, consistent scientific evidence for these effects is lacking. In one study, it was found that short-term intake of L. Barbarum polysaccharides - equal to 150 g of fresh berries - increased postprandial oxygen consumption. This indicates that L. Barbarum might exert beneficial effects on energy expenditure. Furthermore, long-term intervention trials have shown beneficial effects of L. Barbarum on lipid and glucose metabolism in mice and type II diabetic patients and on inflammatory status in healthy elderly. Altogether, L. Barbarum has the potential to be used as a functional food to increase metabolic health, but detailed information on the postprandial effects of L. Barbarum is missing. We therefore propose this double-blinded, randomized, placebo controlled intervention trial to investigate the effect of a single dose of L. Barbarum on postprandial energy expenditure substrate oxidation, metabolic flexibility, lipid and glucose metabolism and inflammatory markers.

Profile Of Methylation and Gene Expression Of Gene ADRB3 And Effects Of Folate Intake
Overweight and ObesityABSTRACT Epigenetic mechanisms may be involved in the regulation of lipid metabolism and inflammatory markers may therefore contribute to the cardiovascular risk profile, as well as environmental factors have a significant impact on the epigenetic program of gene expression. Methyl groups are usually added or removed as needed and can be influenced by diet soon, dietary factors have been linked to the change of DNA methylation, resulting in changes in gene expression. Research on the prevalence of gene methylation levels on the impact of nutrient intake, as well as the inflammatory condition and the results of dietary interventions for the genes, it is a sparse area in studies and, therefore, expanding of the knowledge. Thus, understanding the effects of a diet rich in antioxidants and hazelnut oil, in inflammation and DNA methylation profile is important because chronic diseases with cardiovascular disease can begin with the consumption of modified lipids and can research this stage provide important dietary allowances for the development of this disease prevention strategies even in adulthood. This PhD project is linked to a larger project entitled "II Diagnosis Cycle and Intervention Food Situation, Nutrition and Noncommunicable Diseases Prevalent over the City Population of João Pessoa / PB" (II DISANDNT / PB) and have two methodological designs: the first one is the composition of a representative sample of adults in the city of João Pessoa, from II DISANDNT / JP, population-based study and cross-sectional. The second methodological design was developed with a subsample of the above population, selected from criteria being the type and interventional clinical trial. This model will have to evaluate the effect of a diet rich in antioxidant and hazelnut oil, in inflammation and gene expression.

Fruit And Vegetable Or Recreation Prescriptions for UW-Madison Students
OverweightObesityThis research will use randomized controlled trial (RCT) methodology to assess the feasibility of a prescription for fruit/vegetable CSA shares or exercise by bikeshare on obesity-related outcomes. Three cohorts of n=10 University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW) students (total 30) will be randomized to three groups: (1) a 10-week fruit and vegetable community supported agriculture (CSA) share prescription program with vegetable education and cooking support from UW Slow Food; (2) a 10-week Madison B-cycle bikeshare membership prescription program with exercise support or (3) a non-interventional wait-list control group. The primary outcome will be change in Body Mass Index (BMI) (a measure of obesity using a person's weight in kilograms divided by his or her height in meters squared). Secondary outcomes will be fasting lipids, blood pressure, and glycated hemoglobin (HGA1c) levels. All of these measures will be tested at baseline and just after the 10-week intervention

Fit and Trim for Diabetes Prevention
Pre-diabetesOverweight1 moreFilipino Americans (FA) are the second largest (3.4 million) Asian group in the US. and have one of the highest prevalences of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus compared to non-Hispanic whites, African Americans and Hispanics. However, FA have been underrepresented in health related research, particularly in diabetes prevention. This proposed pilot study is the first clinical trial to assess preliminary estimates of the short-term effect of the novel social networking diabetes prevention program lifestyle intervention for this high-risk population.

Heart Health 4 New Moms: A Randomized Trial in the First Year After Preeclampsia
PreeclampsiaGestational Hypertension6 morePreeclampsia causes devastating maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality with a high recurrence risk and a rapid, occult progression to cardiovascular disease after delivery. There is a critical need for effective interventions to reduce these risks. This is a pilot randomized controlled trial of a novel postpartum lifestyle intervention compared to women who take home blood pressure measurements and women with usual care who are overweight and obese in the first year after preeclampsia. The investigators hypothesize that the intervention will lead to improved weight loss and blood pressure in the first year postpartum, which has broad implications for future pregnancy and long-term cardiovascular health.

Metabolism Effects of Artificially Sweetened Beverages Restriction
Overweight and ObesityThe consumption of artificially sweetened beverages increases glucose and insulin concentrations in blood, body weight and waist circumference. However, the effect of restricting the consumption of these beverages on metabolism is unknown. Our objective is to evaluate the effect of reducing artificially sweetened beverages consumption on the metabolism of overweight and obese young adults. A randomized, blind, controlled 12 week clinical trial will be performed on overweight and obese young adults. Young adults, consumers of artificially sweetened beverages, will be randomly assign to either Control group (no changes in their alimentary habits) or Intervention group (no intake of artificially sweetened beverages). The percentage change between 0 and 12 weeks of anthropometric variables, fasting plasma concentrations of glucose, triglycerides, insulin and cholesterol will be calculated and compared.

Active You: A Novel Exercise Program for African Americans
Cardiovascular Risk FactorPrediabetes2 moreBarriers to physical activity (PA) among African Americans (AAs) have been extensively studied, yet there is a paucity of innovative PA interventions designed to address them. In recent years, many studies have used the internet to promote PA in many settings, including the home environment, but only a few studies have recruited AAs. Without innovative and culturally relevant interventions, AAs will continue reporting extremely low levels of PA and disparate cardiovascular health outcomes. In prior work, the investigators sought the input of AA focus groups to inform the development of a technology-based Physical Activity for The Heart (PATH) intervention that leverages openly accessible platforms, such as YouTube, to promote PA in any setting. The investigators designed PATH as a culturally salient action-oriented intervention that can be accessed in any setting to promote PA among inactive AAs. In this application, the investigators propose to examine whether PATH is a feasible strategy for promoting PA among inactive AAs. In Aim 1 the investigators will conduct a randomized clinical trial that will include 30 inactive AAs to assess the feasibility and acceptability of the PATH intervention. In Aim 2 the investigators will examine the trend in PA and cardiovascular disease risk change from baseline to post-intervention. This approach is innovative because it leverages openly accessible technologies to provide a wide variety of free, enjoyable and action-oriented workout videos that match AAs preferences. This contribution will be significant because PATH could offer a novel, low-cost, and scalable strategy for promoting PA among individuals facing socio-environmental barriers to PA.

Effects of Mediterranean Diet and Naltrexone/Bupropion Treatment in Obese Breast Cancer Patients...
Breast CancerObesity1 moreObesity among breast cancer survivors is known to be associated with recurrence and other co-morbidities. However, there have been no studies on weight reduction program combining diet and anti-obesity drug for obese breast cancer survivors. The purpose of this randomized clinical trial is to examine the effects of Mediterranean Diet and naltrexone/bupropion treatment on inflammation and metabolic risk factors in overweight or obese breast cancer patients after breast cancer treatment.

Solution Focused Approach in Adolescents (SFA)
ObesityOverweight and Obesity1 moreAims-objectives: This study assessed the effect of the Solution Focused Approach (SFA) interview technique on overweight/obese adolescents' nutrition-exercise attitudes and behaviors. Background: Obesity is a serious health problem for all age groups, particularly adolescents; therefore, it is important for adolescents to develop healthy nutrition habits, acquire exercise behaviors. Unless healthy nutrition-exercise behaviors are acquired, obesity can develop in adolescence, continue in adulthood. Focusing on solutions can be effective for overweight/obese adolescents to develop healthy nutrition-exercise behaviors. Design: A pretest-posttest randomized-controlled trial design was used. Methods: The study included 32 overweight/obese adolescents (16 for intervention group, 16 for control group) aged12-13 years who attended a health center, met the inclusion criteria. The SFA interview technique was applied to the intervention group. Eight solution-focused interviews were conducted with each adolescent at two-week intervals (interview length 30 to 45minutes). For each group, anthropometric, metabolic measurement follow-ups were conducted in the first and sixth months. The data were evaluated using independent samples t-test, Mann-Whitney U, Wilcoxon test respectively for normally, non-normally distributed variables. The categorical variables were compared using chi-square test. The value p<0.05 was accepted to be statistically significant.

Lifestyle Intervention in Pregnant Women With PCOS
Polycystic Ovary SyndromeOverweight and Obesity1 morePolycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is the most common reproductive disorder in women of childbearing age and is also associated with metabolic abnormalities including obesity, type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, etc. Importantly, a number of adverse outcome are seen in pregnancies complicated by PCOS, including gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), preeclampsia and miscarriage. However, optimal management of PCOS complicated pregnancy is not known. This study seeks to explore whether healthy lifestyle intervention in overweight/obese pregnant women with PCOS could reduce gestational weight gain (GWG) and incidence of GDM.