Mary Cunningham

Social and structural factors are key drivers of disparities in obesity rates

Mary Cunningham — Mon, 05 Aug 2024 21:30:28 +0000

Social and structural factors are key drivers of disparities in obesity rates Mary Cunningham Mon, 08/05/2024 - 17:30

In This Story

Obesity is an epidemic in the United States. It has been increasing among adults of all races and ethnicities over the last two decades; however, obesity is higher among Non-Hispanic Black adults, Hispanic adults, and American Indian or Alaska Native adults, than their White and Asian counterparts, according to the National Institutes of Health. Adults with lower income also have higher risk of obesity than those with a high income.

Michelle S. Williams, associate professor of community and global health

A George Mason University College of Public Health team of interprofessional researchers analyzed the last five years of literature to determine how social and structural determinants of health and social injustice impact the risk of obesity, its treatment and treatment outcomes, and explored the implications for prevention and future treatment interventions.

“We found that social determinants of health, such as where someone lives, and social inequities are primary drivers of obesity disparities,” said Michelle S. Williams, associate professor of community and global health. “Many of these determinants can be modified through interventions to reduce obesity.”

Social determinants of health that affect obesity include where someone lives and their access to healthy food, access to health insurance and obesity health care, safe places to be physically active, and policies to promote health behavior.

Lawrence Cheskin, professor of nutrition and food studies

“Population-based, equity-focused interventions that address the underlying causes of obesity disparities are needed to reduce these disparities and improve the health outcomes of minoritized and marginalized groups,” said Lawrence Cheskin, professor of nutrition and food studies. “The good news is that there are successful examples of public health interventions that communities can support to reduce obesity.”

Successful examples include community-based interventions that focus on improving neighborhood conditions, discouraging the consumption of unhealthy foods and beverages, expanding access to obesity treatment, building safe green and play spaces, and ensuring equitable access to fruits and vegetables.

“Even with these known successful interventions, more work needs to be done to expand and broaden programs, activities, and initiatives at the local, state, and national level in the many communities that continue to be negatively impacted by social and structural determinants of health and social injustices,” said Williams. “Public health workers can’t achieve these changes alone; policy makers must include strategies and money for these strategies in their policies at all government levels.”

The researchers conducted a review of literature published within the last five years focused on the social and structural determinants of obesity among minoritized and marginalized adults in the United States.

“Social and Structural Determinants of Health and Social Injustices Contributing to Obesity Disparities” was published online in Current Obesity Reports in June 2024. Sheila J. McKinney from Jackson State University is a co-author on the paper.

Topics

Obesity

Social Determinants of Health

Nutrition Faculty

public health faculty

public health research

GCH Research

Transmasculine people report higher dietary supplement use than general population

Mary Cunningham — Mon, 25 Mar 2024 16:27:32 +0000

Transmasculine people report higher dietary supplement use than general population Mary Cunningham Mon, 03/25/2024 - 12:27

In This Story

Kerri LaCharite, PhD

Lilian de Jonge, PhD

New study by Mason MS, Nutrition student Eli Kalman-Rome highlights the need for population-level research on the nutritional needs of transgender people.

More than 1 million people in the United States identify as transgender; however, there is limited research on nutrition-related health outcomes for transgender people. To narrow the research gap, Mason MS, Nutrition student Eli Kalman-Rome investigated common motivations of dietary supplement use in transmasculine people. The study defined transmasculine as people on the transgender and gender-nonbinary spectrum who were assigned female at birth.

Transmasculine people reported a higher use of dietary supplements (65%) compared to the total U.S. population (22.5%), according to the study. 90% of transmasculine participants reported using supplements at some point in their life.

“The lack of research on the nutritional needs of transgender people, including transgender/nonbinary transmasculine people navigating social or medical transitioning and the findings of this study highlight the need for population-level research that ensures that nutritional advice is appropriate for the affected communities,” said Kalman-Rome, first author on the paper. Associate Professor Kerri LaCharite Interim Chair of the Department of Nutrition and Food Studies Lilian de Jonge, and adjunct professor Taylor Wallace were co-authors on the paper.

Transmasculine volunteers completed an online survey detailing dietary supplement use, motivations, and demographic information. General population data was taken from the 20217-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Transmasculine people reported using nutritional supplements in unique ways as compared to the general population; differences observed included the numbers of supplements used on average, participants’ reasons for taking supplements, and the variety of supplements taken.

Top reported dietary supplements used by transmasculine people included multivitamins (52%), melatonin (52%), vitamin D (46%), vitamin C (35%), fish oil (33%), B-vitamins or B-complex (31%), iron (29%), and green tea (29%). Participants reported the top reasons for dietary supplements included “improving overall health” (60.4%) and “maintaining health” (54.2%).

“It is important to understand the motivations and types of products being used by transmasculine people, as an increased risk of adverse events, due to use of exogenous testosterone, medications, and other factors, may be present,” said de Jonge.

“Dietary Supplement Use in Transmasculine People: Results of an Online Survey of Volunteer Adults” was published online in the Journal of Dietary Supplements in February 2024. The study was not funded.

Topics

Dietary Supplements

Nutritional Supplement

Poor nutrition contributes to poor mental health and risk of diabetes

Mary Cunningham — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 22:20:16 +0000

Poor nutrition contributes to poor mental health and risk of diabetes Mary Cunningham Mon, 11/20/2023 - 17:20

In This Story

Raedeh Basiri, PhD, RDN

People with diabetes (Diabetes Mellitus) are two-to-three times more likely to have depression than people without, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Current treatment includes therapy, medicine, or both. However, the understanding of the multifaceted relationship between nutrition, mental health, and DM is relatively new in scientific discourse. Mason researchers sought to learn about the connection between nutrition, diabetes, and mental health.

Two literature reviews from assistant professor Raedeh Basiri show that poor nutrition plays a dual role, contributing to both the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and impacting mental health, including anxiety and depression. According to the findings, mental disorders, such as depression and anxiety, increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, and diabetes is also linked with an increased risk of developing depression and anxiety. Nutrition interventions can aid in both of these health issues.

“Our findings underscore the pivotal role of dietary choices in reducing the risks associated with both diabetes and mental health. The implications of these findings extend beyond the scientific community, as they hold promise for informing public health policies, health care practices, and dietary recommendations that can positively impact the general population, said Basiri, the lead author of the papers.

“Ultimately, the research seeks to empower individuals to make informed and health-promoting dietary choices that can serve as a proactive strategy for the prevention and management of diabetes, as well as anxiety and depression,” Basiri said.

More specifically, the team’s findings provide a comprehensive view of the relationship between dietary patterns, health outcomes, and the critical role of eating behavior in the context of type 2 diabetes and mental health.

The team found that eating foods rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and low-fat dairy is associated with a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes and mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety. Conversely, a diet with a large number of processed foods was found to have a negative effect, increasing the susceptibility to type 2 diabetes, depression, and anxiety.

Additionally, the research team found that a diet with energy-dense foods but lacking in essential nutrients, such as omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, folate, selenium, chromium, and magnesium, is associated with the exacerbation of unfavorable symptoms in both mental health and the development of type 2 diabetes. This connection emphasizes the importance of nutrient-rich dietary choices for overall health and well-being.

“Current scientific evidence underscores the potential benefits of adopting a well-balanced dietary regimen in decreasing anxiety and depression symptoms while enhancing glycemic control in individuals with diabetes,” said Basiri.

“Exploring the Interrelationships between Diabetes, Nutrition, Anxiety, and Depression: Implications for Treatment and Prevention Strategies” was published in Nutrients in September 2023 with Mason Master of Science in Nutrition students Blessing Seidu and Mark Rudich as co-authors.

“Key Nutrients for Optimal Blood Glucose Control and Mental Health in Individuals with Diabetes: A Review of the Evidence” was published in Nutrients in September 2023 with Seidu and Mason Professor Lawrence Cheskin as co-authors.

Neither study received external funding.

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Dr. Alison Evans Cuellar announced as Interim Associate Dean of Research at George Mason University College of Public Health

Mary Cunningham — Wed, 15 Mar 2023 16:47:32 +0000

Dr. Alison Evans Cuellar announced as Interim Associate Dean of Research at George Mason University College of Public Health Mary Cunningham Wed, 03/15/2023 - 12:47

In This Story

Alison Evans Cuellar, PhD, MBA

Melissa J. Perry, Sc.D., MHS

The College of Public Health is pleased to announce Alison Evans Cuellar, PhD, MBA, will lead efforts to advance research initiatives as the Interim Associate Dean of Research. Dr. Cuellar has been a professor in the Department of Health Administration and Policy since 2009, has served on prominent taskforces, and served as the College’s Interim Associate Dean of Research for the College in 2018-2019.

“Dr. Cuellar is a national leader on health policy research with an impressive portfolio of high-impact research and interprofessional leadership at the local and national levels. She is a natural choice to serve as Interim Associate Dean of Research,” said Dean of the College of Public Health Melissa Perry, Sc.D., MHS. “Her dedication, experience, and commitment to public health will enable Dr. Cuellar to thrive supporting research faculty throughout the pre-and post-award process and fostering internal and external collaborations. Under her guidance, the College’s research portfolio will continue to grow in service to Mason’s research goals.”

Dr. Cuellar has extensive research experience in health care systems, Medicaid, behavioral health, and justice-involved populations. Her scholarly work includes evaluating new organizational forms, such as hospital systems and physician alliances and their effects on quality, efficiency, costs, and prices. Currently, she is engaged in research related to Medicaid perinatal care, equity, and payment.

Her research has been funded by the National Institute of Mental Health, the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, the National Institute of Justice, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, and private foundations including National Institute for Health Care Management, Robert Wood Johnson, and John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur, among others.

Dr. Cuellar was recently appointed to The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine's Improving the Health and Wellbeing of Children and Youth through Health Care System Transformation committee. Additionally, Dr. Cuellar was appointed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as Chair of the Community Preventive Services Task Force (CPSTF), an independent, nonfederal panel of public health and prevention experts that provides recommendations and findings on programs, services, and other interventions to protect and improve population health.

Read Cuellar’s full bio here.

Holly Park, MBA, will continue as interim assistant dean of research as of March 25. The College thanks Park for her service during this transition.

Topics

Public Health

CHHS Research

public health research

CHHS Faculty

Abnormal biomarkers associated with obesity are identified in very young Latino children

Mary Cunningham — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 14:49:36 +0000

Abnormal biomarkers associated with obesity are identified in very young Latino children Mary Cunningham Mon, 03/13/2023 - 10:49

In This Story

Allison McKay

A new study by Allison McKay, RDN, department manager for the Department of Nutrition and Food Studies, found elevated insulin, hemoglobin A1C, triglycerides, and other abnormal cardiometabolic biomarkers among very young Latino youth.

In the United States, low-income, Latino youth are disproportionately affected by obesity with 25.8% of Latino youth aged 2-19 considered to have obesity, which is approximately two times more likely when compared to their non-Latino white counterparts. A higher level of obesity results in an increased risk of cardiometabolic diseases, which are a group of related diseases caused by an unhealthy lifestyle and/or an increased genetic predisposition.

A new study by Allison McKay, RDN, department manager for the Department of Nutrition and Food Studies, identified elevated insulin, hemoglobin A1C, triglycerides, and other cardiometabolic biomarkers in early elementary-aged Latino youth. Similar abnormal biomarkers are found in adults. She compared cardiometabolic biomarkers between age and sex-matched pairs of elementary school-aged Latino children with obesity vs. healthy weight peers.

“Tracking the biomarker difference in children with obesity and children with healthy weight may help to identify those at greater risk of developing several diseases and health issues. This will allow earlier interventions and reduce the number and severity of children who are affected by obesity and its related diseases later in life,” said McKay.

Additionally, the study found elevated liver markers in both groups, which may indicate a genetic or ethnic predisposition for abnormal liver function, but more research is needed.

The data was collected from the VALÉ study (Vidas Activas Familias Saludables), which was funded by the Potomac Health Foundation and George Mason University.

“Differences in Cardiometabolic Biomarkers between Elementary School–Age Latinx Children with Obesity versus Healthy Weight” was published in Southern Medical Journal in February 2023. Former Mason faculty member Sina Gallo was the principal investigator and Margaret T Jones in Mason’s School of Kinesiology was also part of the research team.

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Loneliness associated with unhealthful diets and physical inactivity among U.S. college students

Mary Cunningham — Thu, 19 Jan 2023 17:05:50 +0000

Loneliness associated with unhealthful diets and physical inactivity among U.S. college students Mary Cunningham Thu, 01/19/2023 - 12:05

In This Story

Lawrence J. Cheskin, MD

Lilian de Jonge, PhD

With data from the Mason: Health Starts Here study, Master of Science, Nutrition alum Li Jiang, Department Chair Lawrence Cheskin, and Associate Professor Lilian de Jonge found that students reporting a higher level of loneliness also reported a higher level of sedentary behavior and low activity.

Transitioning to a new environment, as many college freshman do, can increase feelings of loneliness, and feelings of loneliness in college students have dramatically increased in the last decade, according to the National College Health Assessment. Additionally, a 2021 survey reported that 44% of U.S. college students described their weight as more than normal, i.e. either in the overweight or obese category. Though loneliness has been linked to unhealthy weight and physical inactivity, there is a lack of research on dietary behaviors in college students and the role it can play in obesity in college students.

With data from the Mason: Health Starts Here cohort study, Master of Nutrition alum Li Jiang found that loneliness was related to altered diet quality and physical inactivity. The research was done as part of Jiang’s master’s thesis, and Mason Nutrition and Food Studies Department Chair Lawrence J. Cheskin, Associate Professor Lilian de Jonge, former faculty member Cara Frankenfeld, and former postdoctoral fellow Ziaul H. Rana also contributed to the project.

“Our study supports a potential need for further research in understanding unhealthful dietary behavior and physical activity which may be related to loneliness, an emotion that impacts many college students,” says Jiang.

Sedentary (19.2%) and low active (53.8%) behaviors were more frequent in students reporting high loneliness (score ranges of 4–6 and 7–9) than those reporting low loneliness (score of 10-12). Students reporting more loneliness had higher fat diets than students reporting less loneliness.

“Interventions to reduce loneliness may have a positive effect on health promotion in this population. This data go along with other initial findings from the Health Starts Here study that college students are not meeting healthy dietary guidelines or getting enough physical activity,” said Cheskin, who has an MD.

The study is a cross-sectional study that analyzed baseline data collected in the first wave of Mason: Health Start Here in 2019, and was funded by George Mason University’s Institute for BioHealth Innovation.

Loneliness is associated with unhealthful dietary behaviors and physical inactivity among US college students was published in November 2022 in the Journal of American College Health.

Mason: Health Starts Here is a first-of-its-kind transdisciplinary student cohort study to understand and improve the health and well-being of university students. This research will follow a broad sample of young adults, specifically Mason students, over time to capture the diversity of their experiences in college and how it affects their health and well-being.

Topics

Nutrition

Health Starts Here

Nutrition Research

College of Public Health

Public Health

Nutrition education can benefit individuals who are overweight with diabetic foot ulcers

Mary Cunningham — Fri, 14 Oct 2022 00:44:49 +0000

Nutrition education can benefit individuals who are overweight with diabetic foot ulcers Mary Cunningham Thu, 10/13/2022 - 20:44

In This Story

Raedeh Basiri, PhD, RDN

A new study by Raedeh Basiri, assistant professor in the Department of Nutrition and Food Studies, suggests that dietary recommendations should prioritize proper wound healing for people who are overweight/obese with diabetic foot ulcers.

Raedeh Basiri, assistant professor in the Department of Nutrition and Food Studies,

Nutrition can play an important role in the treatment of chronic wounds; however, it is often overlooked as part of wound care. Diet therapy is not currently part of standard care for diabetic foot ulcers (DFU), though some research has shown that nutrition can support healing. A new study by Raedeh Basiri, assistant professor in the Department of Nutrition and Food Studies, further supports nutrition intervention to improve clinical outcomes.

Basiri’s new study suggests that dietary recommendations should prioritize proper wound healing for individuals who are overweight/obese with DFUs. Proper wound healing can be prioritized by recommending that patients consume adequate energy sources and essential nutrients, according to the study.

“Routine visits with a dietitian are essential for assessing the dietary needs of patients with diabetic foot ulcers and designing individualized nutrition therapy, which can result in effective clinical outcomes,” said Basiri, the principal investigator. “Identifying the adequate dietary intake of macro- and micronutrients in these patients, especially for those who are overweight or obese, is critical for expediting the wound-healing process and can make a substantial difference to medical expenses and quality of life in this population.”

To the researchers’ knowledge, this is the first study that evaluates the effects of nutrition education and supplementation with extra calories, protein, and micronutrients on long-term blood glucose control and body composition in patients who are overweight and obese with DFUs. In addition to standard DFU care, the treatment group was asked to consume more low-fat protein sources, vegetables, and high-fiber carbohydrates, and a lower amount of simple carbohydrates; educated about and given examples of healthier food items; and provided a nutritional supplement to take twice a day.

On average, patients in the treatment group lost less lean body mass (8.4 lb. vs. 10 lb.) and gained less fat (2 lb. vs. 8 lb.) than the control group. Additionally, DFUs healed 12.85 times faster in the treatment group than in the control group, and inflammation significantly decreased in the treatment group. Previous research by Basiri found that nutritional education and supplements reduced inflammation in DFUs. The research team suspects that Basiri’s previous research, along with previous studies reporting that preventing the loss of lean body mass leads to faster healing of chronic wounds, could be why the treatment group healed quicker.

The findings of this study showed that supplementing a patient’s diet with extra energy sources and nutrients had positive effects on body composition and phase angle (an indicator of cellular health) and did not have any significant negative effects on long-term blood glucose control when combined with nutrition education.

Effects of Nutrition Intervention on Blood Glucose, Body Composition, and Phase Angle in Obese and Overweight Patients with Diabetic Foot Ulcers was published in Nutrients in September 2022. Other researchers included Maria T. Spicer and Thomas Ledermann, and Bahram H. Arjmandi from Florida State University.

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Registered Dietitian Helps Prepare Mason Dietetics Students to Lead Population Health Through Nutrition

Mary Cunningham — Sun, 28 Aug 2022 21:08:45 +0000

Registered Dietitian Helps Prepare Mason Dietetics Students to Lead Population Health Through Nutrition Mary Cunningham Sun, 08/28/2022 - 17:08

Mason’s new Master of Nutrition dietetics concentration, commencing in fall 2022, will prepare Registered Dietitians to protect the public, remain competitive, and increase recognition of the field.

Registered Dietitians (RDs) play a leading role in population health through nutrition, and new requirements to become an RD will make the profession even more important. This fall, Mason’s first cohort of Master of Science in Dietetics students begins their education to become RDs with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) Future of Education Model curriculum. In the new full-time program, students will earn their master’s degree and complete their internship in two years. Mason is the only program with a main campus in the Washington, D.C., area whose curriculum follows this new best-practice model.

Starting in 2024, a master’s degree is required to take the RD licensing exam. These new professional requirements seek to elevate the field to better protect the public, remain competitive, and increase recognition of the field. Additionally, the changes will improve career satisfaction, professional involvement, and compensation among dietitians, according to the Commission on Dietetic Registration, the credentialing agency for the ACEND, who recommended the changes.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that employment of dietitians is expected to increase 11% from 2020 to 2030, faster than the average for all occupations. RDs are the only licensed nutrition professionals in the United States and are held to the highest professional standard of any nutritional profession.

A didactic internship, another requirement to take the licensing exam, has always been a key component to being licensed; however, it is now included in the Dietetics curriculum. A great internship can help students explore different aspects of the dietitian nutritionist field and help them feel more prepared to begin their career. It can also provide a direction for where they want to focus their RD skills.

Lauren Fay, RD, Mason Dietetics preceptor

"One of the best parts of the internship is having opportunities to work in different areas and getting a feel for what branch of dietetics interests you,” says Oncology Dietitian Clinical Specialist at Inova Cancer Institute Lauren Fay, RD. “There are so many different specialties you can work in within this profession. Being able to get a taste, no pun intended, for what might be the best fit for you is an awesome opportunity and really helps when entering the profession.”

The internship requires 280 hours in a clinical setting with a current dietitian. Future preceptors, like Fay, are eager to begin working with Mason students.

“It’s our responsibility as practicing dietitians to ensure the future of our profession is well-trained and it would be crazy for me to miss out on that opportunity to pay it forward,” says Fay. “The difference between in-class learning and internships is that you get to see the application of your knowledge in a real-life setting. I don’t think that can ever be taught out of a book. Seeing a practitioner apply knowledge into a real-life situation gives you a much better understanding of how that information is actually helping individuals and how to apply it in the future.”

The program already has 15 preceptors in Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Maryland dedicated to guiding students through their internships. Internship opportunities range from hospitals and private practice to the Center on Aging and sports nutrition.

“Knowing some of their future preceptors, I know students are going to have access to some of the best medical training opportunities that DC has to offer. Being in the DC area is such an amazing experience that benefits Mason students,” says Fay, who is a part of the Advisory Board for Mason’s dietetic internship.

Fay is also a current Mason Master of Public Health (MPH) student with a concentration in Health Policy. She feels that earning this degree will make her a better dietitian and help her further professionalize the field of dietetics. For example, she would like to see RDs present at the table for policy discussions, she says, and she knows the MPH can help her do that.

From obesity to food insecurity and sustainability, Fay and other dietitians are key leaders in public health. Once Fay got involved with Mason, she was inspired to become a student herself, and is thrilled to continue sharing her knowledge with the next generation of dietitians, Mason RDs.

Learn more about Mason's Master of Nutrition, Dietetics concentration that prepares future Registered Dietitians here.

Topics

CHHS

Department of Nutrition and Food Studies

Nutrition

dietetics

registered dietitian

Nutrition clinic opens at College’s Population Health Center

Mary Cunningham — Mon, 15 Aug 2022 17:36:52 +0000

Nutrition clinic opens at College’s Population Health Center Mary Cunningham Mon, 08/15/2022 - 13:36

In This Story

Lawrence J. Cheskin, MD

Allison McKay

Department of Nutrition and Food Studies opens clinic with expansion plans to include student practice with the dietitian program.

College of Health and Human Services faculty are committed to creating experiential learning opportunities for students that meet the public health needs of the community. Most recently, Nutrition and Food Studies (NFS) Department Chair Larry Cheskin, an MD, started a once-a-week nutrition clinic at the College’s Population Health Center.

The opening of the Nutrition Clinic is timely as the NFS Department recently received accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) and its first cohort of students begin in just a few week. The Master of Nutrition in Dietetics program is directed by Assistant Professor Sapna Batheja, PhD, RDN, LDN, and follows the Future of Education model for preparing Registered Dietitians. To ensure career-ready graduates, the ACEND Future Education Model integrates coursework and an internship into a two-year master’s program. The Clinic will be an additional source of hands-on learning for Mason dietetics students.

“As a university, we have the classrooms to teach students, and at Mason, we have this state-of-the-art medical facility, so we want to train students here too. The advantage of having our Mason nutrition clinic is that it is in the same place that they will receive their didactic training and it’s with the faculty who will teach their courses,” Cheskin said. “Plus, we’re able to better meet the community needs at Mason and underserved people in neighboring communities.”

Larry Cheskin, MD, and Allison McKay, RD, discuss the Nutrition Clinic in the College's Population Health Center.

Similar to the behavioral health clinic that opened in the Population Health Center earlier in 2022, the nutrition clinic will train students in the Dietetics program under the direct supervision of faculty who are Registered Dietitians or MDs. Clinical rotations for dietetic students will start their second year in the program. Also, like the behavioral health clinic, the nutrition clinic is a sliding scale model, which means the cost is income-based and affordable for those who have limited resources.

The clinic will help patients with obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, and any health effect that diet can improve. Initially, patients will be referred by the School of Nursing’s Mason and Partners (MAP) Clinics, interprofessional clinics that serve the uninsured and refugee community within Prince William and Fairfax counties in Northern Virginia. The MAP Clinics also provide opportunities for Mason students to receive firsthand, guided experience in giving interprofessional care to patients and responding to community-based needs. Cheskin aims to grow the program to accept patients from other referrals as well.

Earlier this year, Registered Dietitian Allison McKay was brought into the department as the department manager in anticipation of the clinic. To begin, Cheskin and McKay will treat patients and the number of licensed practitioners will increase with additional funding and when students are able to join the team. Currently, funding for the Clinic is coming from the College, with opportunities for philanthropic support.

In the future, Cheskin also intends to expand telemedicine capabilities at the clinic. The Population Health Center is equipped to support telemedicine and, after their initial in-person visit, he could see patients appreciating the option of a virtual visit.

Learn more about Mason's Master of Nutrition in Dietetics here.

Topics

CHHS

Nutrition

population health center

Nutrition Faculty

Using Personalized Nutrition to Help Prevent Type 2 Diabetes

Mary Cunningham — Tue, 02 Aug 2022 18:46:25 +0000

Using Personalized Nutrition to Help Prevent Type 2 Diabetes Mary Cunningham Tue, 08/02/2022 - 14:46

In This Story

Raedeh Basiri, PhD, RDN

Lawrence J. Cheskin, MD

Lilian de Jonge, PhD

Raedeh Basiri’s new clinical trial seeks to answer whether personalized nutrition intervention can be effective in lowering blood sugar (and thereby help to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes and related cardiovascular diseases) in people with prediabetes.

Assistant Professor in the Department of Nutrition and Food Studies Raedeh Basiri

One in 10 Americans has diabetes and of those who do, 90% have type 2 diabetes. More than 1 in 3 Americans (96 million people) have prediabetes, many of whom don’t know it. Type 2 diabetes is a preventable disease and Assistant Professor in the Department of Nutrition and Food Studies Raedeh Basiri’s new study hopes that personalized nutrition can stop prediabetes from progressing into type 2 diabetes.

“Many people know general health tips, such as eat more vegetables, yet are not following the health guidelines, which can increase the risk of chronic diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases,” said Basiri, who is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. “We understand that there are many factors that influence individual’s food choices – and sometimes those factors are outside their control. I want to study the why behind why people aren’t following health/dietary guidelines that can help prevent/delay these diseases. Is it access to foods? Their culture? The lack of knowledge? This study looks at how can we as dietitians help people put education into practice based on their individual body and personal desire.”

Type 2 diabetes occurs when there is too much sugar in someone’s bloodstream and it impairs the way the body processes insulin, a hormone that helps the body process sugar (glucose) as fuel. High blood sugar levels can lead to disorders including heart disease, kidney disease, blindness, non-healing foot ulcers, and stroke. With the correct diet and lifestyle adjustments, a person’s blood glucose levels can decrease and return to the non-diabetes range, but type 2 diabetes does not have a cure.

Prediabetes, when blood sugar levels are elevated but not yet at diabetes levels, is reversible if the appropriate lifestyle changes are made. A new study from Basiri and colleagues will help determine to what extent personalized nutrition intervention can help lifestyle changes in participants, who are unaware of having prediabetes or have been diagnosed with prediabetes.

The study emphasizes healthy eating and not weight loss or changing routine exercise to determine if only adjusting food intake will decrease blood glucose level, which in the long term could prevent or delay type 2 diabetes. In the study, the treatment and control groups will receive general dietary recommendations, similar to what would be provided to them in clinical settings currently, and be visited by the researchers once a week.

Participants in the treatment group will receive more individualized nutrition education. The goal is to lower participants’ blood sugar levels while meeting their dietary needs with foods they enjoy. Each person has a unique physiology, which makes food affect people differently. For example, if a person is very sensitive to a certain type of carbohydrates and it raises their blood sugar levels, but they love it, the dietitian will work with the participant on portion size and the best time of day for them to eat it. This is personalized nutrition.

The study, “Individualized Nutrition Therapy for Preventing or Delaying Onset of Type-2 Diabetes,” is a clinical trial. It has been approved by Mason’s Institutional Review Board and ClinicalTrials.gov and is funded by Mason's College of Health and Human Services. Nutrition and Food Studies Chair Larry Cheskin and associate professor Lilian de Jonge are co-investigators on the study.

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