Suboptimal vitamin D status and overweight/obesity are associated with gut integrity and inflammation in minority children and adolescents: A cross-sectional analysis from the MetA-bone trial.

Preserving gut integrity is essential to preventing the development of chronic diseases. Several factors are associated with gut integrity and inflammation in adults. However, there is limited evidence in healthy children.

Effectiveness and costs of the recruitment strategies used in the MetA-Bone trial, a randomized clinical trial to test the effects of soluble corn fiber supplementation for 1 year in children.

Background: Pediatric recruitment into clinical trials is very challenging. A recruitment plan was designed to recruit healthy children (9-14 years) in a trial testing the 1-year effect of corn soluble fiber supplementation on bone mass. We evaluated the effectiveness and costs of the recruitment strategies used in this trial.

The association between hydration status and body composition in healthy children and adolescents.

Objectives: Children 10-20 years old in the US are currently obese, showing suboptimal hydration as 60% fail to meet the US Dietary Reference Intakes for water. Studies have shown a significant inverse association between hydration status and body composition in children, although most failed to use the Dual-X-Ray Absorptiometry Scan (DEXA), the gold standard for body composition. Limited studies used an objective marker to measure hydration, such as urine specific gravity (USG) from a 24-h urine collection.

The association between hydration status and total fluid intake in healthy children and adolescents.

Background: Children 10-20 years old in the US have suboptimal hydration status. Hydration is best assessed using an objective marker, such as urine specific gravity (USG) from a 24-h urine collection. There are limited studies associating hydration from an objective marker with intake assessed from 24-h recalls in children.

Use of Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for recruiting healthy participants in nutrition-, physical activity-, or obesity-related studies: a systematic review.

Background: There are limited systematic reviews exploring the use of social media for recruiting participants specifically for nutrition-, physical activity-, and obesity-related studies.

Objectives: The aim was to conduct a systematic review on the effectiveness of using social media (Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter) for recruiting healthy participants in nutrition-, physical activity-, or obesity-related studies.

Methods: Studies were identified from 5 databases and included if they reported the number of participants recruited by social media (Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter) vs.

Associations between vitamin D levels and glucose metabolism markers among pregnant women and their infants in Puerto Rico.

Objectives: low vitamin D during pregnancy is common and could adversely affect health outcomes. This study evaluated vitamin D status during pregnancy and early in life, and its association with glucose metabolism. Methods: maternal serum 25(OH)D, glucose, and insulin levels were measured longitudinally during pregnancy in Hispanic women with overweight/obesity (n = 31) and their infants at birth and 4 months.

Facilitators and barriers of children's participation in nutrition, physical activity, and obesity interventions: A systematic review.

Recruitment of children into clinical trials is challenging. Most systematic reviews exploring facilitators and barriers of child recruitment in clinical trials are related to drugs or experimental treatments for various health conditions. This may differ in nutrition, physical activity, and obesity interventions.

Changes in Metabolites During an Oral Glucose Tolerance Test in Early and Mid-Pregnancy: Findings from the PEARLS Randomized, Controlled Lifestyle Trial.

The oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) is used to diagnose gestational and other types of diabetes. We examined metabolite changes during an OGTT, and how a comprehensive diet and physical activity intervention may influence these changes in a population of overweight/obese Hispanic pregnant women. Integration of changes in metabolites during an OGTT may help us gain preliminary insights into how glucose metabolism changes during pregnancy.

Regimens of vitamin D supplementation for women during pregnancy.

Background: Vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy increases the risk of pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, preterm birth, and low birthweight. In a previous Cochrane Review we found that supplementing pregnant women with vitamin D alone compared to no vitamin D supplementation may reduce the risk of pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, and low birthweight and may increase the risk of preterm births if it is combined with calcium. However the effects of different vitamin D regimens are not yet clear.

PEARLS randomized lifestyle trial in pregnant Hispanic women with overweight/obesity: gestational weight gain and offspring birthweight.

Background: Inappropriate gestational weight gain (GWG) has been associated with adverse perinatal events. High rates of GWG have been reported among Hispanic women. Observational studies indicate that dietary and physical activity interventions during the prenatal period may improve maternal and infant health, but very few randomized trials have been conducted among high-risk overweight/obese Hispanic women.

Effectiveness of the Nutritional App "MyNutriCart" on Food Choices Related to Purchase and Dietary Behavior: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: To pilot test the effectiveness of "MyNutriCart", a smartphone application (app) that generates healthy grocery lists, on diet and weight.

Methods: A pilot randomized trial was conducted to test the efficacy of using the "MyNutriCart" app compared to one face-to-face counseling session (Traditional group) in Hispanic overweight and obese adults. Household food purchasing behavior, three 24-h food recalls, Tucker's semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), and weight were assessed at baseline and after 8 weeks.

Dietary Fiber Intake Is Inversely Associated with Periodontal Disease among US Adults.

Background: Approximately 47% of adults in the United States have periodontal disease. Dietary guidelines recommend a diet providing adequate fiber. Healthier dietary habits, particularly an increased fiber intake, may contribute to periodontal disease prevention.