MULTIDISCIPLINARY DOCTORAL TRAINING IN HUMAN NUTRITION AND OBESITY

• Sponsoring Institution: National Institute of Food and Agriculture
• Project Status: COMPLETE
• Funding Source: OTHER GRANTS
• Reporting Frequency: Annual
• Accession No.: 0219390
• Grant No.: 2010-38420-20369
• Cumulative Award Amt.: $234,000.00
• Proposal No.: 2009-03242
• Project Start Date: Jan 1, 2010
• Project End Date: Dec 31, 2014
• Grant Year: 2010
• Program Code: [KK]- National Needs Graduate Fellowships Program

Recipient Organization
UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA
888 N EUCLID AVE
TUCSON,AZ 85719-4824

Performing Department
Nutritional Sciences

Non Technical Summary
The United States is in the midst of an obesity epidemic. Obesity rates at all ages are at all time highs, with corresponding increases in obesity-related chronic diseases and medical costs. There is an undisputed need to develop effective treatment and prevention programs grounded in innovative research. This application requests funds to train doctoral students in Nutritional Sciences (Human Nutrition) in order to meet the national needs Targeted Expertise Shortage Area (TESA) of diet and obesity. The overall project goal is to train three doctoral level National Needs Fellows (NNF) in such a way that they can work across disciplines to establish an independent research and education program targeting obesity. Students completing this NNF will: 1) establish an independent research career, 2) communicate effectively with scientists in other disciplines, understanding how individual expertise can advance obesity research, and 3) translate their science to the public and communities. Training will include core courses and experiential opportunities established to assure fellows achieve established core competencies for effective work in the TESA. Training venues and approaches include team science, laboratory rotations, grant writing workshops, required presentations at national meetings of the discipline, manuscript development, on-line education, teaching opportunities as well as completion of both dissertation research and community-based research translation and outreach project. Research and community outreach projects must specifically address the objectives of USDA/CREES Strategic Goal 5: Improve the Nation's Nutrition and Health which include: 1) access to nutritious foods and 2) promotion of healthier eating and lifestyles. Anticipated, measurable impacts of the NNF training include: a sustained GPA above 3.0 for all semesters, completion of preliminary graduate examination by their 6th semester, successful defense of the dissertation and community-based projects within 5 years of program entry and submission of a minimum of 3 peer-reviewed manuscripts during the training period. Only through well-designed, targeted training will we be able to train professionals to conduct innovative research and develop effective programs to circumvent the current crisis.

Animal Health Component

100%

Research Effort Categories

Basic

(N/A)

Applied

100%

Developmental

(N/A)

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
903	6099	3020	100%

Knowledge Area
903 - Communication, Education, and Information Delivery;

Subject Of Investigation
6099 - People and communities, general/other;

Field Of Science
3020 - Education;

Keywords

doctoral training

national needs fellows

targeted expertise shortage area. human nutrition, diet and obesity

obesity

human nutrition

diet

physical activity

body composition assessment

multidisciplinary research

community outreach

children, adolescents and adults

Goals / Objectives
Goal: Graduate training of doctoral students (N=3) leading to professionals with the technical and functional competencies required to contribute to multidisciplinary and innovative research, teaching and outreach in the area of Food Science and Human Nutrition - Diet and Obesity. Objective: To train three doctoral students, including at least one minority student, in the Targeted Expertise Shortage Area (TESA) of Food Science and Human Nutrition - Diet and Obesity. Expected Outputs/Outcomes: Successful completion of doctoral degree by three individuals, including at least one minority student, all with an expressed interest in research, teaching and outreach related to the TESA, resulting in the following functional competencies: 1. Critical review of the scientific literature, particularly that specific to obesity and related co-morbidities. 2. Effective communication of public health policies related to obesity. 3. Independent decision-making. 4. Skill in body composition, diet and physical activity assessment. 5. Comprehensive understanding of nutritional epidemiology for obesity-related disease. 6. Skill in methods and technologies in use in basic and behavioral science research. 7. Advanced knowledge of nutrition, physiology, exercise physiology, biochemistry, medicine, pathology, genetics and bioinformatics, and an understanding of how these disciplines contribute to advancing our understanding of obesity. 8. Scientific manuscript preparation for peer-reviewed journals. 9. Scientific writing for effective public verbal and written presentation. 10. Effective oral presentation to the public and scientific peers. 11. Working knowledge of ethical behaviors and scientific integrity. 12. Knowledge and Application successful teaching strategies 13. Grantsmanship

Project Methods
Three doctoral candidates will be recruited through our Departmental website, the Graduate College website and brochures distributed at scientific and professional meetings. We will focus significant efforts on programs that provide research training for underrepresented groups, women in sciences and engineering, including students engaged in science and related programs at Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic Serving Institutions and Tribal Colleges. Programs available to promote academic success of underrepresented students include a cultural immersion experience, laboratory rotations, workshops on university and career survival skills; a writing skills program; a Graduate Writing Institute; Graduate Writing Resource (web-based tool); travel funds; and Final Project Fund. Fellows will build competencies through coursework, laboratory rotations, research, seminars, teaching and mentoring of undergraduate students, group discussions, journal clubs and laboratory and civic presentations. They must complete training in research integrity, human subjects' protection, animal welfare, laboratory safety, and biohazards/radiation control training. A Faculty Mentor will provide active mentoring throughout their training. Early on, a student-centered plan of study congruent with NNF goals and competencies will be created that details courses, laboratory experiences, teaching assignments, an outreach experience, a dissertation project, and publication and presentation opportunities. Each semester, the Fellow must submit a progress report and updated CV to document professional growth with the goal of providing the Fellow with an appropriate dossier for continuing their professional career when their graduate training is complete. The student and Faculty Advisor will meet yearly with the Program Committee and progress and adjustments will be discussed. In years 3-4, we plan a retreat with Fellows, faculty and an invited outside expert to share research and ideas. Our goal is for students to experience shared learning from other students, staff and the faculty members engaged in related research. Finally, support for day-to-day needs of the Fellow will be provided by the coordinator, who will provide referrals to needed services outside of the Department (e.g., health and wellness, graduate student survival skills, financial planning, professional counseling, and placement services). Upon completion, NNF will have achieved the following required performance outcomes: Doctoral degree in Nutritional Sciences; submission of three or more peer-reviewed manuscripts; at least one oral presentation at a national meeting; presentation of 4 obesity-related seminars; presentation of at least one research poster for a national meeting in obesity-related research; completion of a least 1 community-based research translation and outreach project; and submission of at least 1 peer-reviewed extension publication. We will follow the students after graduation and document their career progression including postdoctoral training, professional positions, research and outreach programs, publications and presentations.

Progress 01/01/10 to 12/31/14

Outputs
Target Audience: Graduate students (n=3) desiring training in the TESA, Diet and Obesity (SERD = Human Nutrition Dietetics; Related Biological Sciences). These students were trained to work across disciplines to establish research, education and community programs targeting human nutrition, obesity and obesity comorbidities. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? The focus of this project was training and professional development of three graduate students in the TESA, Food Science and Human Nutrition - Diet and Obesity. Three doctoral students successfully completed the Ph.D. and moved on to postdoctoral activities. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Dissemination has occurred through publication of research findings in relevant peer-reviewed scientific journals, published systematic reviews of the literature and invited papers, extension publications, curricula, websites and other media, preventions at meetings of professional societies, and community presentations. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Three Fellows have completed training and moved on to postdoctoral positions. For the next five years, we will track their progress, professional positions, publications and other contributions to the field.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Three National Needs Fellows completed PhDs and are engaged in postdoctoral activities. We will document these Fellows' activities and accomplishments so that we can follow relevant Products and Impacts, etc., over the next 5 years. Prestigious postdoctoral training positions were secured by each Fellow: Caitlin Dow: Postdoctoral Research Fellow (T32 Cardiology training fellowship), University of Colorado, Boulder; Department of Integrative Physiology. Mentor: Christopher DeSouza, PhD, Professor, Department of Integrative Physiology. Deepika Laddu: Post-Doctoral Scholar, SCRDP/Heart Disease Prevention, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford Prevention Research Center. Mentor: Dr. Marcia Stefanick, PhD, Professor of Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology. MaryJo Cantoria: Postdoctoral Researcher II, Department of Molecular Genetics, Southwestern University, UT. Mentor: Michael S. Brown, PhD, Regental Professor, Director of the Jonsson Center for Molecular Genetics, Co-Director of the MD/PhD Program, Molecular Genetics and Internal Medicine, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. Mentor: Joseph L. Goldstein, PhD, Regental Professor, Chairman of the Department of Molecular Genetics, Molecular Genetics and Internal Medicine, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.

Publications

• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Going, S., Lee, V., Blew, R., Laddu, D., and Hetherington-Rauth, M. Top 10 research questions related to body composition. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport. Res Q Exerc Sport. 85(1):38-48.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Laddu, D., Farr, J.N., Lee, V.R., Blew, R.M., Stump, C., Houtkooper, L., Lohman, T.G., and Going, S.B. Muscle density predicts changes in bone density and strength: A prospective study in girls. Journal of Musculoskeletal and Neuronal Interactions. Journal of Musculoskeletal and Neuronal Interactions, 14(2):195-204.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Farr, J., Laddu, D.R., and Going. S.B. Exercise, Hormones and Skeletal Adaptations During Childhood and Adolescence. Topical Review. Pediatr Exerc Sci. 2014 Nov;26(4):384-91.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Dow CA, Thomson CA, Flatt SW, Sherwood NE, Karanja N, Pakiz B, Rock CL. Predictors of Metabolic Risk Factor Improvements with Weight Loss in Women. Journal of the American Heart Association, 18;2(6):e000152.
• Type: Book Chapters Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Cantoria MJ, Patel H, Boros LG and Meuillet EJ. Metformin and pancreatic cancer metabolism. , Pancreatic Cancer - Insights into Molecular Mechanisms and Novel Approaches to Early Detection and Treatment, Dr. Kelly McCall (Ed.), ISBN: 978-953-51-1375-1, InTech, DOI: 10.5772/57432. Available from: http://www.intechopen.com/books/pancreatic-cancer-insights-into-molecular-mechanisms-and-novel-approaches-to-early-detection-and-treatment/metformin-and-pancreatic-cancer-metabolism.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Cantoria MJ, Boros LG, Meuillet EJ. Contextual inhibition of fatty acid synthesis by metformin involves glucose-derived acetyl-CoA and cholesterol in pancreatic tumor cells. Metabolomics. 10(1):91-104.
• Type: Book Chapters Status: Under Review Year Published: 2014 Citation: Hingle, M., Laddu, D., and Going, S. Synergistic effects of physical activity and the Mediterranean diet. In: Mediterranean Diet: Impact on Health and Disease. Donato Romagnolo and Ornella Selmin (eds). Spring Science.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Dow CA, Wertheim BC, Patil BS, Thomson CA. Daily consumption of grapefruit for 6 weeks reduces urine F2-isoprostanes in overweight adults with high baseline values but has no effect on plasma high-sensitivity C-reactive protein or soluble vascular cellular adhesion molecule 1. Journal of Nutrition, 143(10):1586-92.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Dow CA, Stauffer BL, Greiner JJ, DeSouza CA. Influence of dietary saturated fat on endothelial fibrinolytic capacity in adults. American Journal of Cardiology, 114(5):783-8.

Progress 01/01/13 to 12/31/13

Outputs
Target Audience: Graduate students (n=3) desiring training in the TESA, Diet and Obesity (SERD = Human Nutrition Dietetics; Related Biological Sciences). These students are being trained to work across disciplines to establish research, education and community programs targeting human nutrition, obesity and obesity comorbidities. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? The focus of this project is training and professional development of three graduate students in the TESA, Food Science and Human Nutrition - Diet and Obesity. Two doctoral students have successfully completed the Ph.D. and moved on to postdoctoral activities. A third graduate student will complete her training in Spring, 2014. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Dissemination has occurred through publication of research findings in relevant peer-reviewed scientific journals, published systematic reviews of the literature and invited papers, extension publications, curricula, websites and other media, presentations at meetings of professional societies, and community presentations. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? One Fellow will graduate in Spring, 2014. We will continue support of her training (mentorship in all aspects of training) through her doctoral defense and beyond, providing support to secure an appropriate postdoctoral position and documenting her accomplishments.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Two of our National Needs Fellows have completed their PhDs and are engaged in postdoctoral activities. We will document these Fellows’ activities and accomplishments so that we can report relevant Products and Impacts, etc., in next year’s report. The third NNF has advanced to candidacy and will defend her doctoral dissertation in Spring, 2014. To advance to candidacy, NNF must demonstrate the following functional competencies: 1. Critical review of the scientific literature, particularly that specific to obesity and related co-morbidities. 2. Effective communication of public health policies related to obesity. 3. Independent decision-making. 4. Skill in body composition, diet and physical activity assessment. 5. Comprehensive understanding of nutritional epidemiology for obesity-related disease. 6. Skill in methods and technologies in use in basic and behavioral science research. 7. Advanced knowledge of nutrition and other TESA-related areas pertinent to the NNF's focus, e.g., physiology, exercise physiology, biochemistry, medicine, pathology, genetics and bioinformatics, and an understanding of how these disciplines contribute to advancing our understanding of obesity. 8. Scientific manuscript preparation for peer-reviewed journals. 9. Scientific writing for effective public verbal and written presentation. 10. Effective oral presentation to the public and scientific peers. 11. Working knowledge of ethical behaviors and scientific integrity. 12. Knowledge and Application successful teaching strategies 13. Grantsmanship.

Publications

• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Laddu DR, Farr JN, Laudermilk MJ, Lee VR, Blew RM, Stump C, et al. Longitudinal relationships between whole body and central adiposity on weight-bearing bone geometry, density, and bone strength: a pQCT study in young girls. Arch Osteoporosis;8(1-2):156.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2014 Citation: Going, S., Lee, V., Blew, R., Laddu, D., and Hetherington-Rauth, M. Top 10 research questions related to body composition. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Farr, J.N., Laddu, D., Blew, R.M., Lee, V.R., and Going, S.B. Effects of Physical Activity and Muscle Quality on Bone Development in Girls. Med Sci Sports Exerc.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Dow CA, Wertheim BC, Patil BS, Thomson CA. Daily consumption of grapefruit for 6 weeks reduces urine F2-isoprostanes in overweight adults with high baseline values but has no effect on plasma high-sensitivity C-reactive protein or soluble vascular cellular adhesion molecule 1. J Nutr;143(10):1586-92.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Under Review Year Published: 2014 Citation: Laddu, D., Farr, J.N., Lee, V.R., Blew, R.M., Stump, C., Houtkooper, L., Lohman, T.G., and Going, S.B. Muscle density predicts changes in bone density and strength: A prospective study in girls. Journal of Musculoskeletal and Neuronal Interactions.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Under Review Year Published: 2014 Citation: Laddu, D.R., Farr, J.N., Lee, V.R., Blew, R.M., Lohman, T.G., and Going, S.B. Relationship of Muscle-Bone Unit Components with Changes in Bone Strength in Young Girls. Osteoporosis International.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2013 Citation: Dow CA, Thomson CA, Flatt SW, Sherwood NE, Karanja N, Pakiz B, Rock CL. Predictors of Metabolic Risk Factor Improvements with Weight Loss in Women. Journal of the American Heart Association.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Other Year Published: 2014 Citation: Dow CA, Wertheim BC, Patil BS, Thomson CA. Grapefruit increases postprandial insulin and attenuatees F2-isoprostane and IL-6 concentrations when consumed with a high-fat meal (in preparation).
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Cantoria MJ, Lagunero FT, Boros LG, Meuillet EJ. Contextual synthetic inhibition of fatty acid synthesis involves glucose-derived acetyl CoA, K-ras and cholesterol in pancreatic tumor cells. Metabolomics DOI 10.1007/s11306-013-0555-4.
• Type: Book Chapters Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2014 Citation: Cantoria MJ and Meuillet EJ. Metformin and pancreatic cancer metabolism. Pancreatic Cancer.
• Type: Book Chapters Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2014 Citation: Hingle, M., Laddu, D., and Going, S. Synergistic effects of physical activity and the Mediterranean diet. In: Mediterranean Diet: Impact on Health and Disease, Donato Romagnolo and Ornella Selmin (eds). Springer Science.

Progress 01/01/12 to 12/31/12

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Activities, events, services and products accomplished by three National Needs Fellows (Laddu, Dow, Cantoria) pursuing doctoral training include:

Activities - supporting teaching mission in nutritional sciences as teaching assistants; laboratory rotations and contributing to research projects; developing surveys (mother/child fruit and vegetable intakes); and educational materials (obesity and colon cancer prevention; nutrition-SMS messages for youth obesity prevention); attendance at conferences: The Obesity Society, American Cancer Society, Experimental Biology, American Pancreatic Association.

Events - assist in planning of Nutritional Sciences conference; Science Roundtables with conference faculty; leadership of graduate student nutritional sciences club, fundraising activities in support of graduate travel awards; presentations at conferences (n=10). Laddu: Association of fat pattern with bone strength in young girls. The Obesity Society, TX, 2012. The Impact of Dietary Long Chain Fatty Acids on Bone Health. UA Seminar, Nutritional Sciences, 2012. Assessing Efficacious Strategies in Long-term Weight Loss and Maintenance for Diabetes prevention: Novel Methods of Obesity Prevention Aimed at Young Adults; UA Seminar, Nutritional Sciences, 2010. Effects of Whole body and regional fat distribution on weight bearing bone geometry, structure and bone strength: a pQCT study in Young Girls. ASN Controversies in Clinical Nutrition, AZ, 2012. Association of fat distribution with bone strength in young girls. Research Frontiers Nutritional Sciences, AZ, 2012. Cantoria: Metformin inhibits complex I and sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP), UA Seminar. 2012. Metformin inhibits the TCA cycle and fatty acid synthesis in MIA PaCa-2 pancreatic cancer cells. American Pancreatic Association-International Association of Pancreatology, FL, 2012. Role of the inflammatory response in pancreatic cancer cell treatment. American Association for Cancer Research, IL, 2012. PH-427 reduces the survival of fat-treated pancreatic cancer cells. Experimental Biology. CA, 2012. NADPH oxidase mutation protects against skeletal muscle insulin resistance in high-fat-fed mice. Experimental Biology, CA, 2012. Dow: The Effect of Six-Week Consumption of Ruby Red Grapefruit on Markers Associated with Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Overweight and Obese Adults, The Obesity Society, TX, 2012. National Survey of Gen X and Gen Y Mothers: Fruit and Vegetables and Measures of Body Weight in Mothers and Children. Research Frontiers in Nutritional Sciences Conference, AZ, 2012.

Products - curricula: library (n=300) of SMS (text) messages for youth nutrition education; education materials for colorectal cancer prevention; survey for assessing mother and child fruit and vegetable consumption.

PARTICIPANTS: National Needs Fellows - three doctoral students have advanced to candidacy: Deepika Laddu, Caitlin Dow, and Mary Jo Castro Cantoria.

Faculty - University of Arizona, Nutritional Sciences Graduate program Faculty. Investigators Going and Thomson and colleague, Dr. Emmanuelle Meulliet, are each mentoring a Fellow. Other faculty contribute as appropriate, mainly through supervision of laboratory rotations, classroom instruction, and service on Doctoral research committees.

TARGET AUDIENCES: Graduate students (n=3) receiving training in the TESA, Diet and Obesity (SERD = Human Nutrition Dietetics; Related Biological Sciences). These students are being trained to work across disciplines to establish research, education and community programs targeting human nutrition, obesity and obesity comorbidities. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
Three graduate students are undergoing doctoral level training with the goal of establishing independent careers in research, education and community programs, working in academia or industry. All three Fellows have completed their qualifying exams and advanced to doctoral candidacy. Two Fellows will defend their dissertations in Spring, 2013.

These National Needs Fellow have completed the following requirements, contributing to their knowledge and skills:

Coursework, 36-47 units, GPAs, 3.79-4.00; laboratory rotations, 2-4 per Fellow, emphasizing training in laboratory and community outreach in obesity, type 2 diabetes, cancer and bone growth in adolescents; Community programs related to adolescent obesity prevention through technology and mHealth initiatives (in partnership with UA Center for Physical Activity and Nutrition), colorectal cancer prevention (in partnership with Butt-Check.org), and fruit and vegetable consumption and body mass index of mothers and their children (in partnership with Produce for Better Health Foundation); training in grant writing, laboratory safety, biohazards/radiation control, animal welfare, Human Subjects Protection, and research integrity; presentations at Dept. seminars and national conferences; publications, n=7.

The expected long range outcome is 3 independent scientists trained to work in issues related to nutrition, human obesity, and related health issues.



Publications

• Laddu D, Dow CA, Hingle M, Going SB. (2011). A Review of Evidence-Based Strategies to Treat Obesity in Adults. Nutrition in Clinical Practice. 26: 512-525.
• Cantoria MJ, See P, Singh H, de Leon RD. (2011) Adaptations in glutamate and glycine content within the lumbar spinal cord are associated with the generation of novel gait patterns in rats following neonatal spinal cord transection. J Neurosci 31,18598-18605.
• Laddu DR, Lee VR, Blew RM, Sato T, Lohman TG, Going, SB. Predicting visceral adipose tissue by MRI using DXA and anthropometry in adolescents and young adults. IJBCR 2012; 10(4): 93-100.
• Lee C, Won D, Cantoria MJ, Hamlin M, de Leon RD. (2011) Robotic assistance that encourages the generation of stepping rather than fully assisting movements is best for learning to step in spinally contused rats. J Neurophysiol 105, 2764-2771.
• Dow CA, Going SB, Chow HHS, Patil BS, Thomson CA. The effects of daily consumption of grapefruit on body weight, lipids, and blood pressure in healthy, overweight adults. Metabolism. 2012; 61(7):1026-35.
• Dow CA, Wertheim BC, Pivonka E, Thomson CA. Associations between mother's BMI, weight loss strategies, fruit and vegetable intake and availability, and child's body shape as reported by women responding to an annual survey. Journal of Nutrition Education & Behavior, (in press 2012).
• Thomson CA, Flatt SW, Dow CA, Sherwood NE, Karanja N, Pakiz B, Rock CL. Predictors of Metabolic Risk Factor Improvements with Weight Loss in Women. Circulation, (submitted 2012).

Progress 01/01/11 to 12/31/11

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Activities, events, services and products accomplished by three National Needs Fellows (Laddu, Dow, Cantoria) pursuing doctoral training include:

Activities - supporting teaching mission in nutritional sciences as graduate teaching assistants; completion of laboratory rotations and contributing to faculty research projects; developing survey for assessing mother/child fruit and vegetable intakes; developing educational materials for obesity prevention and colon cancer prevention; developing nutrition-SMS messages for youth obesity prevention; attendance at conferences: The Obesity Society Annual Meeting (2011), Experimental Biology (2011).

Events - assist department faculty in planning of Research Frontiers in Nutritional Sciences conference; leadership of FRESH, graduate student nutritional sciences club, and conducting fundraising activities in support of graduate travel awards; presentations at local and national conferences (n=4) - The effects of daily consumption of grapefruit on body weight, lipids, and blood pressure in healthy, overweight adults. The University of Arizona, Department Seminar. Homocysteine and eNOS: Mechanism for Vascular Dysfunctiom. The University of Arizona, Department Seminar. The Efficacy of Ruby Red Grapefruit Consumption on Weight, Blood Pressure, and Lipid Control in Overweight and Obese Adults; Experimental Biology, Washington, D.C., 2011. Gemcitabine-Celecoxib and Novel Treatments for Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma. The University of Arizona, Department Seminar. Assessing Efficacious Strategies in Long-term Weight Loss and Maintenance for Diabetes prevention: Novel Methods of Obesity Prevention Aimed at Young Adults. The University of Arizona, Department Seminar.

Products - curricula: library (n=300) of SMS (text) messages for youth nutrition education and education materials for colorectal cancer prevention; survey for assessing mother and child fruit and vegetable consumption.

PARTICIPANTS: National Needs Fellows - three students have been enrolled and are pursuing doctoral degrees under this program: Deepika Laddu, Caitlin Dow, and Mary Jo Castro Cantoria.

Faculty - University of Arizona, Nutritional Sciences Graduate program Faculty. Investigators Going and Thomson and colleague, Dr. Emmanuelle Meulliet, are each currently mentoring a Fellow. Other faculty contribute as appropriate, mainly through supervision of laboratory rotations and classroom instruction. TARGET AUDIENCES: Graduate students (n=3) receiving training in the TESA, Diet and Obesity (SERD = Human Nutrition Dietetics; Related Biological Sciences). These students are being trained to work across disciplines to establish research, education and community programs targeting human nutrition, obesity and obesity comorbidities. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
Three graduate students are undergoing doctoral level training with the goal of establishing independent careers in research, education and community programs, working in academia or industry. One Fellow (Laddu) has completed her qualifying exam and advanced to doctoral candidacy and one (Dow) is expected to advance in March 2012. The third (Cantoria) will take her qualifying exam in Fall 2012.

These National Needs Fellow have completed the following requirements, contributing to their knowledge and skills:

Coursework, 36-93 units, GPAs, 3.79-4.00; laboratory rotations, 2-4 per Fellow, emphasizing training in laboratory and community outreach in obesity, type 2 diabetes, cancer and bone growth in adolescents; Community programs related to adolescent obesity prevention through technology and mHealth initiatives (in partnership with UA Center for Physical Activity and Nutrition Physical Activity and Nutrition), colorectal cancer prevention (in partnership with Butt-Check.org), and fruit and vegetable consumption and body mass index of mothers and their children (in partnership with Produce for Better Health Foundation); training in grant writing, laboratory safety, biohazards/radiation control, animal welfare, Human Subjects Protection, and research integrity; presentations (n=1-2) per Fellow at Dept. seminars and national conferences; publications, n=1-3 per Fellow.

The expected long range outcome is 3 independent scientists trained to work in issues related to nutrition, human obesity, and related health issues.



Publications

• Cantoria MJ, See P, Singh H, de Leon RD. (2011) Adaptations in glutamate and glycine content within the lumbar spinal cord are associated with the generation of novel gait patterns in rats following neonatal spinal cord transection. J Neurosci 31,18598-18605.
• Lee C, Won D, Cantoria MJ, Hamlin M, de Leon RD. (2011) Robotic assistance that encourages the generation of stepping rather than fully assisting movements is best for learning to step in spinally contused rats. J Neurophysiol 105, 2764-2771.
• Laddu D, Dow CA, Hingle M, Going SB. (2011). A Review of Evidence-Based Strategies to Treat Obesity in Adults. Nutrition in Clinical Practice. 26: 512-525.
• Dow CA, Going SB, Chow HHS, Patil BS, Thomson CA. (2012). The effects of daily consumption of grapefruit on body weight, lipids, and blood pressure in healthy, overweight adults. Metabolism. (submitted, 2011).
• Dow CA, Wertheim BC, Pivonka E, Thomson CA. (2012). Associations between mother's BMI, weight loss strategies, fruit and vegetable intake and availability, and child's body shape as reported by women responding to an annual survey. Journal of Nutrition Education & Behavior, (submitted, 2011).

Progress 01/01/10 to 12/31/10

Outputs
One doctoral candidate, Deepika Laddu, is receiving support and has begun her training in obesity research. She is enrolled in Nutritional Sciences graduate required coursework, as well as other obesity related courses, has completed IRB/Human Subjects Protection training, laboratory safety and animal safety training, sexual harassment training, and security training. She was also certified in Personal Health Measurements and has presented her first departmental seminar. Deepika is serving as a Teaching Assistant for "Nutrition, Food and You" and is contributing to field work and a USDA funded project in which technology is being developed and tested for delivering nutrition and physical activity messages. These messages are designed to promote obesity-related behavior change and are being evaluated in a sample of children and adolescents. Deepika is part of a multi-disciplinary team of faculty, staff and students (undergrad and grad) from multiple departments (Nutritional Sciences, Anthropology, Physiology, Computer Science, and Bioengineering) representing several content areas important to her development as a obesity research scientist. Her mentor, Dr. Nobuko Hongu, is an investigator on two other technology-based projects with related aims providing Ms. Laddu ample opportunities to pursue her interest in the application of technology for health messaging and evaluation. As a program requirement, Deepika will be writing her first grant during the summer months. Her current research project is focused on testing the efficacy of a cell phone application for facilitating dietary assessment under conditions of participant selected meals and standard, provided meals. Two other Ph.D. students have been recruited and will begin training in summer, 2011. PRODUCTS: Cell phone and website software applications are being developed and tested that are designed to facilitate recall of food consumption, estimate dietary intake, and track food intake patterns; complementary training materials (written, website, and videos) on use of applications have also been developed and are being tested. OUTCOMES: One doctoral candidate has commenced training in Nutritional Sciences as it relates in a broad sense to understanding human obesity, its causes, prevention and treatment. Two additional trainees have been identified and will begin doctoral training in summer, 2011. DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: Dissemination activities include presentation at regional and national meetings, publications, and training of youth leaders and youth on the products (software applications and website) from this project. FUTURE INITIATIVES: Two additional candidates have been recruited and will begin their doctoral training programs in summer, 2011.

Impacts
Three doctoral trained nutritional scientists who will undertake careers in academia, industry, teaching and research, thereby contributing to efforts aimed at understanding, treating and/or preventing obesity.

Publications

• Laddu, D., Dow, C., Hingle, M., Thomson, C., and Going, S. A review of evidence-based strategies to treat obesity in adults. J. Clin Nutrition (submitted 2011).