JOURNAL TRANSCRIPT

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Fall Research Day November 8, 2017 Abstract Booklet

Office of Research and Sponsored Programs

POSTER PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS EASEL #1: The Effect of Reading Food Labels on Food Choice and Diet Quality: A Systematic Review Ericha Grace (Nutrition) Faculty Mentor: Alessandra Sarcona Objective: To evaluate existing evidence of the relationship between reading food labels, food choice, and diet quality. Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted and included articles from January 2010 through May 2017 regarding the use of food labels and the Nutrition Facts Panel and impact on consumers’ food choice and diet quality. Studies were to be specific to reading labels on packaged food and were excluded if in regard to menu labeling. The Quality Criteria Checklist was used to evaluate each article included in the review. Results: Of 428 articles screened, eight were included in the final review, six cross-sectional in design and two randomized control trials. Evaluation of the eight articles resulted in three positive ratings, four neutral, and one negative rating based on questions asked in the Quality Criteria Checklist. Five studies focused on food choice and three on diet quality, the majority of which discovered a positive relationship between label-reading and food choice and/or diet quality. Conclusion: Existing research on reading food labels, food choice, and diet quality partially demonstrates a positive relationship, but the quality of studies assessed provides inconclusive evidence and fails to provide a definitive association. Further, more controlled research should be conducted to solidify this relationship.

EASEL #2: The Effects of a Six-Week Weight Loss Program on Muscular Strength and Endurance Paul Stickles and Katie Cooper (Kinesiology) Faculty Mentor: Melissa Whidden Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine if a weight loss program would result in increases in muscular strength and endurance. Methods: To test muscular strength, shoulder press, bicep curls, squats, and dead lifts (RDL) were assessed using the 6 repetition maximum analysis. For core endurance, plank and six inches were performed for time. Whole body endurance was determined by measuring time to fatigue for high knees and wall taps. Variables were assessed before and after in thirty four sedentary adults. Subjects were required to participate in a boot camp program five days per week and follow a structured diet. Results: There was a significant increase in squat strength (61 ± 8 lbs vs. 81 ± 9 lbs, P < 0.001) and RDL strength (75 ± 8 lbs vs. 90 ± 9 lbs, P < 0.01) following the program. Upper body strength increased in the shoulder press (40 ± 3 lbs vs. 44 ± 3 lbs, P < 0.01) and bicep curls (35 ± 2 lbs vs. 40 ± 2 lbs, P