Publications by authors named "Heather Leidy"

Article Synopsis
  • Increased dietary protein at breakfast may improve cardiometabolic health in adolescents, but its effects on molecular changes were previously unknown.
  • A study with 30 adolescents examined the impact of high-protein (HP) and normal-protein (NP) breakfasts versus skipping breakfast on the expression of circulating miRNAs linked to cardiometabolic health over six months.
  • Results showed that the HP breakfast led to a significant increase in miR-126-3p expression, suggesting that higher protein intake may positively influence cardiometabolic health and highlight the importance of breakfast during this crucial developmental stage.*
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

This study examined the acute effects of 7-d energy restriction normal-protein (NP; ∼15% of daily intake as protein) compared with higher-protein (HP; ∼38% of daily intake as protein) diets varying in quantities of fresh, lean beef on circulating miRNA expression associated with cardiometabolic disease in 16 women with overweight (mean ± SD; age: 35 ± 8.7 y; body mass index: 28.5 ± 1.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Despite limited evidence from intervention trials, replacing animal-source protein-rich foods with plant alternatives continues to be recommended as part of a healthy dietary pattern.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to examine whether a diet containing fresh, lean beef elicits greater satiety, reduces ad libitum food intake, and is more acceptable compared with a diet containing plant alternatives in women with overweight.

Methods: Seventeen women with overweight (mean ± SEM, age: 33 ± 1 y; BMI: 27.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

A key guiding principle in the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans emphasizes the need for individuals to choose eating habits that allows for personal, cultural, and traditional preferences while establishing a high-quality diet. This concept becomes a daunting task given the need to reduce the consumption of foods higher in saturated fat, sodium, and/or added sugar-which are typically found in familiar, highly palatable foods most-often liked and consumed in the United States. Similarly, in nutrition intervention studies, adherence to healthier dietary patterns is typically low because of many factors, including reduced taste, flavor, and familiarity to the study foods.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Animal agriculture is a leading contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and other harmful environmental impacts, which underscores the need to shift away from the consumption of animal-based products. One promising nudge intervention is making plant-based meals the default option, so we tested this approach at six different university events across four academic institutions for effecting sustainable dietary change. Event attendees pre-selected their meal on one of two randomly assigned RSVP forms: one with a plant-based default and one with a meal with meat default.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The consumption of protein-rich foods stimulates satiety more than other macronutrient-rich foods; however, the underlying mechanisms-of-action are not well-characterized. The objective of this study was to identify the direct and indirect effects of postprandial amino acid (AA) responses on satiety. Seventeen women (mean ± SEM, age: 33 ± 1 year; BMI: 27.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Limited data exist examining whether timing and/or duration of eating behaviors throughout the day affect sleep health.

Objective: The aim of this study was to identify the relationship between eating behaviors and sleep in young adults without chronic diseases or conditions.

Design: This was a cross-sectional study using 7 days of baseline data from a randomized crossover trial.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Considerable controversy exists surrounding the consumption of red meat and its impacts on cardiometabolic health and if it may further impact risk factors at the molecular level.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the acute effects of dietary patterns, varying in red meat quantity, on the expression of circulating microRNAs (miRNAs), which are emerging biomarkers of metabolic dysfunction and chronic disease severity.

Methods: Secondary analyses were performed on plasma samples collected within a randomized, crossover design study in 16 women with overweight (mean ± standard deviation, age = 33 ± 9.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Although current recommendations encourage plant-based dietary patterns, data is limited as to whether the equivalent substitution of animal-based protein-rich foods with plant-based versions impacts ingestive behavior.

Objectives: To compare higher-protein preloads, varying in protein source, on appetite, satiety, and subsequent energy intake.

Methods: Thirty-two adults (age: 25 ± 1 y; body mass index (BMI) measured in kg/m: 24.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

This review is a tribute to honor Dr Douglas Paddon-Jones by highlighting his career research contributions. Dr Paddon-Jones was a leader in recognizing the importance of muscle health and the interactions of physical activity and dietary protein for optimizing the health span. Aging is characterized by loss of muscle mass and strength associated with reduced rates of muscle protein synthesis (MPS) and the ability to repair and replace muscle proteins.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: A person's daily nutrient intake and overall nutritional status are determined by a complex interplay of the types and amounts of foods ingested in combination with the timing and frequency of eating.

Objectives: The aim was to summarize frequency of eating occasion data examined by the 2020 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee, the macronutrient contributions they provide, and meal frequency relative to dietary quality among the US population (≥2 y), with a focus on sex, age, race/Hispanic origin, and income.

Methods: Demographic and 24-h recall data from the 2013-2016 NHANES were examined.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Children from low-income households and minority families have high cardiometabolic risk. Although breakfast consumption is known to improve cardiometabolic health in children, limited randomized control trials (RCT) have explored this association in low-income and racial/ethnic U.S.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Pediatric MetS prevalence varies due to lack of consensus on evaluative criteria and associated thresholds, with most not recommending a diagnosis <10 years. However, MetS risk components are becoming evident earlier in life and affect races and ethnicities disproportionately.

Objectives: To compare the prevalence of MetS based on existing definitions and elucidate racial- and ethnic-specific characteristics associated with MetS prevalence.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Higher protein and fiber diets promote weight management and metabolic health.

Objectives: This study aimed to determine if greater weight loss and positive changes in metabolic outcomes could be achieved with twice-daily consumption of a high-protein and fiber-based multi-ingredient nutritional shake (HPF) compared with an isocaloric low-protein, lower fiber-based placebo (LPF).

Methods: Study procedures were conducted by an independent research organization under clinicaltrials.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: While energy and nutritional content of snacks can contribute to overconsumption, other factors within the modern food environment may also influence the amount and types of snacks consumed.

Objectives: The aim was to examine whether snack package size and variety influence free-living snacking behavior in healthy adults. The impact of intuitive eating score on snacking behavior was also examined.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Breakfast consumption is often associated with improving cardiometabolic parameters and diet quality. However, literature evaluating breakfast consumption with these outcomes between the school and home environments is limited.

Objective: This study examined relationships between breakfast consumption locations (school vs home) and cardiometabolic parameters, breakfast dietary intake, and daily dietary intake.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Breakfast consumption is associated with lower obesity prevalence and cardiometabolic risk and higher dietary quality (DQ) in children. Low-income, Hispanic populations are disproportionately affected by obesity and cardiometabolic risks. This study examined the relationship between breakfast consumption groups (BCG) on anthropometric, metabolic, and dietary parameters in predominately low-income, Hispanic children from 16 Texas schools.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Childhood and adolescence are critical time periods for growth and development. Given the current physical and psychological health concerns affecting United States youth, an emerging area of interest exists supporting the importance of physical and psychological aspects of strength for health, resilience, and well-being through these life stages. This synopsis highlights the key concepts that were presented within the 2018 Strength Summit conference, entitled .

View Article and Find Full Text PDF